Stream Marker Packets for Seamless Path Switching in Hybrid Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-hop hybrid networks, path updates can lead to out-of-order packet delivery at destination devices due to packets being transmitted via different paths, making it challenging to properly order incoming packets.
Innovation Solution
The use of stream marker packets and additional path distinguishing information allows receiving devices to determine the proper order of packets by identifying whether they belong to the previous or updated path, with buffering mechanisms ensuring that packets from the old path are processed before those from the new path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If path updates are performed in multi-hop hybrid networks to optimize routing, then network adaptability and routing efficiency are improved, but packet delivery order is disrupted causing out-of-order arrivals at destination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces path update marker packets as intermediary elements that mediate between the path update action and packet delivery. These marker packets are inserted at the source device when a path update occurs and propagate through the network to the destination, signaling the path change event. The destination device uses these markers to coordinate packet reordering, ensuring that packets sent via the old path are processed before packets sent via the new path, thus maintaining delivery order despite path changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by inserting path update marker packets into the network before actual data packets are transmitted on the new path. The source device sends these marker packets ahead of time through both the old and new paths, allowing the destination device to prepare for the path transition. This preliminary signaling ensures that when packets arrive via different paths, their transmission order can be correctly reconstructed at the destination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If packets are transmitted via multiple different paths simultaneously during path transition, then network flexibility and load distribution are improved, but packet sequencing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Path update marker packets serve as intermediary signals that carry path identification information. These markers are inserted by the source device and propagated through the network, allowing the destination device to identify which path each packet traversed. By associating packets with their respective paths through these markers, the destination can accurately sequence packets even when they arrive via different paths in different orders.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by treating packets from different paths with different handling rules. The destination device identifies packets belonging to the old path versus the new path using path update markers, and applies different processing logic: packets from the old path are processed in their arrival order, while packets from the new path are buffered until the old path packets are processed. This localized differentiation maintains overall packet sequence accuracy despite path diversity.
Data Source
AI summary
Seamless path switching is made possible in a multi-hop network based upon stream marker packets and additional path distinguishing operations. A device receiving out-of-order packets on the same ingress interface is capable of determining a proper order for the incoming packets having different upstream paths. Packets may be reordered at a relay device or a destination device based upon where a path update is initiated. Reordering packets from the various upstream paths may be dependent upon a type of service associated with the packet.