Slow Protocol Filter for Transit Device Packet Segregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network communication systems lack a mechanism for intermediate transit devices to effectively handle and segregate slow protocol packets, which are essential for high reliability and diagnostic functions between end stations and intermediate stations.

Innovation Solution

A slow protocol filter is implemented in transit devices, such as media converters, to distinguish between data packets and slow protocol control packets, forwarding them appropriately between data links and a local slow protocol client, enabling efficient handling and management of slow protocol packets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If slow protocol packets are forwarded through intermediate transit devices along with data packets, then network communication continuity is maintained, but diagnostic and control functions cannot be performed at intermediate stations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink reliabilityVSAvoiddiagnostic capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments packet handling into two distinct paths: data packets are forwarded through the transit device, while slow protocol packets are extracted and directed to a local slow protocol client. This segmentation enables intermediate transit devices to perform diagnostic and control functions locally while maintaining data forwarding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The slow protocol filter extracts slow protocol packets from the mixed packet stream before they reach the transit device's forwarding path. This extraction enables the transit device to access and process control packets locally through the slow protocol client, providing diagnostic capabilities without interrupting data flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If slow protocol packets are processed by software on microprocessors, then control functions are available, but bandwidth is consumed and processing speed is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol function availabilityVSAvoidbandwidth efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by providing different processing capabilities for different packet types at the transit device. Slow protocol packets receive specialized hardware-based processing with minimal bandwidth consumption, while data packets continue through the high-speed forwarding path without software processing overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces software-based slow protocol processing with a hardware-based slow protocol filter. This substitution eliminates the bandwidth consumption and processing speed limitations associated with microprocessor-based software handling, enabling efficient extraction and forwarding of slow protocol packets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If all packets are forwarded to the second link, then data transmission is efficient, but slow protocol control packets cannot be received by the local slow protocol client

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol packet delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The slow protocol filter extracts slow protocol control packets from the packet stream before forwarding, directing them to the local slow protocol client. This extraction ensures control packets are delivered to the appropriate destination while data packets continue to the second link without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The slow protocol filter acts as an intermediary component between the data link and the slow protocol client. It intercepts slow protocol packets in the packet stream and redirects them to the client, while allowing data packets to pass through to the second link, thus mediating between forwarding efficiency and control delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7822026B2Transit devices and system including a slow protocol filter and methods of transmitting information within a transit device or system using a slow protocol filter

Publication Date: 2010.10.26 ALLIED TELESIS

AI summary

A transit device and system that include a first link configured to receive a plurality of packets, and a second link communicatively coupled to the first link via a slow protocol filter. The plurality of packets include a first type of packet (e.g., data packets) and a second type of packet (e.g., slow protocol control packets). The transit device also includes a slow protocol filter that couples the first link to the second link, with the slow protocol filter being coupled to a local slow protocol client (e.g., local host CPU). Moreover, the slow protocol filter is configured to receive the plurality of packets from the first link, and to determine whether each of the plurality of packets is of the first type or the second type. The slow protocol filter also is configured to transmit each of the plurality of packets that are of the first type to the second link, and to transmit each of the plurality of packets that are the second type to the local slow protocol client. The slow protocol filter is also configured to transmit packets of second type sourced by the local slow protocol client (local host CPU) to either the first or the second link based on the destination address. Thus slow protocol filter offers data path between two remote peers and the local host for exchange of commands and responses.