Source Routed Packet Path Compression via Segmented Identifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face challenges in efficiently routing source routed packets, particularly in handling path identifiers and protection paths within the network, which affects the reliability and efficiency of data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an apparatus and method that generates, processes, and sends source routed packets using path identifiers encoded in headers, supporting both primary and protection paths, utilizing protocols like MPLS and IP, to ensure efficient routing and fast rerouting in case of path failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If path identifiers are included in source routed packet headers to enable source routing, then routing capability is improved, but header complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The path identifier is segmented into two parts: a path label (compact identifier) and a path address (detailed routing information). This segmentation allows the header to contain both a compact routing identifier and detailed path information, resolving the contradiction between routing capability and header complexity by distributing information across different fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The path address is nested within the header structure, containing the full routing path information, while the path label provides a compact reference. This nesting allows the system to maintain both detailed routing capability and compact header representation, reducing processing overhead while preserving full routing functionality.
2Reliability
If protection paths are implemented to protect primary path hops, then network reliability is improved, but routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Protection paths are pre-configured and associated with primary path hops before failures occur. The path identifier encodes references to these pre-established protection paths, allowing immediate switchover upon failure without complex real-time computation, thus improving reliability while managing routing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The path identifier acts as an intermediary that encodes both primary path information and associated protection path references. This intermediary structure allows the routing system to manage protection paths efficiently without directly handling the full complexity of primary and protection path relationships at each routing decision point.
3Productivity
If path identifiers encode multiple hops in a single entry, then routing efficiency is improved, but information representation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The path identifier uses variable-length encoding where the same entry can represent different numbers of hops depending on the network context. This parameter change approach allows compact representation of multiple hops when possible, improving routing efficiency while maintaining the ability to represent complex paths when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The path identifier encodes multi-hop paths by adding dimensional information to a single entry, using fields like path label and path address to represent routing information that would otherwise require multiple separate entries. This dimensional encoding improves routing efficiency by reducing the number of header manipulations required.
Data Source
AI summary
Various example embodiments relate generally to supporting path compression in routing of source routed packets in communication networks. Various example embodiments for supporting path compression in routing of source routed packets may be configured to support path compression in routing of source routed packets based on use of various source routing protocols which may be based on various underlying communication protocols. Various example embodiments for supporting path compression in routing of source routed packets may be configured to support path compression in routing of source routed packets based on encoding of a set of hops within a header of a source routed packet using a path identifier (e.g., a path label, a path address, or the like) representing the set of hops (e.g., a set of hops providing a segment of the path, a set of hops providing a protection path configured to protect a portion of the path, or the like).