Source Routing Compression Using Shadow Addresses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing source routing methods in communication networks are inefficient due to the overhead of encoding long actual addresses, which increases packet size and complexity at transit nodes, particularly in IPv4 and IPv6 networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing shadow addresses, which are shorter than actual addresses, to encode source routes within packets, using mappings between actual and shadow addresses maintained in Shadow Address Tables (SATs) and Inverse SATs, allowing for source route compression and reduced packet size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If actual addresses are used to encode source routes in packets, then routing accuracy is maintained, but packet size and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces shadow addresses as intermediary elements that map to actual addresses through Shadow Address Tables (SAT) and Inverse SAT. Transit nodes only need to process shadow addresses, which are shorter and simpler, while the mapping infrastructure handles the conversion to actual addresses for accurate routing, thus reducing processing complexity without sacrificing routing accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates shadow addresses as simplified copies of actual addresses. These shadow addresses contain the essential routing information in a compressed form, allowing nodes to work with shorter address representations while the full actual addresses are preserved in mapping tables for when precise address identification is needed
2Measurement precision
If actual addresses are used to encode source routes, then address identification accuracy is maintained, but packet overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Shadow addresses serve as compact copies of actual addresses that retain sufficient information for routing decisions. By using these shortened address representations in packet source routes, the patent significantly reduces the number of bytes required per address while the mapping infrastructure ensures accurate identification of the actual destination addresses
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping tables act as intermediary structures that bridge shadow addresses and actual addresses. This allows packets to carry compact shadow addresses for reduced overhead, while the full-precision actual addresses are available in the mapping tables when needed for accurate address identification and delivery
3Quantity of substance
If shadow addresses are used to encode source routes, then packet size is reduced, but mapping infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the shadow address and actual address information into unified mapping structures (SAT and Inverse SAT) that are distributed across network nodes. This merging approach consolidates the mapping infrastructure into manageable table structures that can be maintained through standard routing protocols, making the added complexity more tractable
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping tables serve multiple functions: they provide address translation, enable source route validation, and support both ingress and transit node operations. This multi-functionality justifies the infrastructure complexity by providing comprehensive support for the shadow address system across various network operations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Various example embodiments for supporting source routing are presented herein. Various example embodiments for supporting source routing may be configured to support source route compression for source routing. Various example for supporting source route compression for source routing may be configured to support source route compression for source routing based on use of shadow addresses. Various example for supporting source route compression for source routing based on use of shadow addresses may be configured to support source routing of packets based on use of shadow addresses of hops in place of actual addresses of hops to encode source routes within source routed packets, thereby compressing the source routes within the source routed packets and, thus, providing source route compression.