Shim Layer for Flexible Multipath Network Protocol Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multipath network protocols are tightly coupled to specific transport protocols, limiting the flexibility to combine their individual advantages and mitigate their disadvantages across different communication links.
Innovation Solution
A compatibility layer, or shim layer, is introduced to provide a flexible choice of network protocols in a multipath environment. This layer includes communication interfaces for multiple links, an access unit to retrieve protocol information, and a converting unit to convert data packets between different protocols or to a standard protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multipath network protocols are tightly coupled to specific transport protocols, then protocol implementation is simplified and reliable, but flexibility to combine advantages of different protocols is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a compatibility layer (shim layer) as an intermediary component between the multipath communication system and the underlying transport protocols. This shim layer provides protocol conversion and abstraction, enabling the multipath system to work with multiple different transport protocols (TCP, UDP, DCCP, SCTP, QUIC) without being tightly coupled to any single one. The shim layer handles protocol-specific details while presenting a unified interface to the multipath logic, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The compatibility layer is designed with universal functionality to support multiple transport protocols simultaneously. It can adaptively select and switch between different protocols based on network conditions, application requirements, and link characteristics. This multi-functional design allows the system to combine advantages of different protocols (e.g., reliability of TCP with speed of UDP) without requiring separate dedicated systems for each protocol.
2Productivity
If a single network protocol is used across all communication links, then system complexity is reduced, but ability to optimize for varying link conditions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic protocol selection and adaptation based on real-time network conditions, link characteristics, and application requirements. The compatibility layer can dynamically switch between different transport protocols for different communication links, adjusting to varying bandwidth, latency, and reliability conditions. This dynamic behavior enables optimization of transmission performance for each specific link while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different network protocols to different communication links based on their specific characteristics and requirements. Each communication link can be optimized with the most suitable protocol (e.g., TCP for reliable links, UDP for low-latency links), rather than using a single protocol uniformly across all links. This localized optimization improves overall system productivity while the compatibility layer manages the complexity of handling multiple protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A compatibility layer, in particular a shim layer, is configured to provide flexible choice of network protocols in a multi-path environment. The compatibility layer includes a first set of communication interfaces that is associated to a first communication link, a second set of communication interfaces that is associated to a second communication link, an access unit configured to get access to a library of network protocols, and a converting unit. The converting unit is configured to convert data packets received from a network entity via the first communication link and/or the second communication link to at least one of the network protocols; and/or the converting unit is configured to convert data packets received from a communication network via the first communication link and/or the second communication link to one standard network protocol.