Network Switch Tunnel Mapping via Provisional Identifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current service providers face challenges in providing connectivity between locations due to the high cost and complexity of configuring, managing, and maintaining conventional routers, which are often expensive and require custom silicon and large buffer spaces for data packet manipulation.
Innovation Solution
The use of tools that employ encapsulation and de-encapsulation schemes to convert data packets between user and tunnel formats, utilizing a conventional switch module to forward data packets and add provisional identifiers for mapping data streams into network tunnels, thereby reducing costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional routers are used to map data streams into transport tunnels, then data connectivity between locations is achieved, but the cost and complexity of configuring, managing, and maintaining the equipment increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive conventional routers with inexpensive network switches that can be readily deployed and managed. The switches perform the same data stream mapping function but at a fraction of the cost, using standard Ethernet switching capabilities rather than specialized router hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces network switches as intermediary devices between data devices and transport tunnels. These switches act as mediators that perform encapsulation and mapping functions, separating the complexity of tunnel management from the data transmission function
2Speed
If conventional routers with custom silicon and large buffer spaces are used, then high-speed data packet manipulation is achieved, but the cost and difficulty of configuration, management, and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses universal network switches that can handle multiple data streams and tunnel mappings simultaneously. These switches perform switching, encapsulation, and mapping functions in a single device, eliminating the need for specialized high-speed router hardware while maintaining operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses software-based encapsulation and mapping processes that replicate the functionality of expensive custom silicon routers. By implementing these functions in software on standard hardware, the system achieves similar performance without the cost and complexity of proprietary hardware
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes tools useful in relaying a data stream from a data device to a network tunnel. These tools may utilize an encapsulation scheme to convert data packets from a user format to a tunnel format required by a network tunnel. Similarly, the tools may utilize a de-encapsulation scheme to convert data packets from the tunnel format to the user format required by the user. The tools may also forward the data packets from a user network to the network tunnel and vice versa, through a conventional switch module. In some embodiments, the tools do so by modifying the data packets to add a provisional identifier recognized by the switch module to map a particular data stream into a particular network tunnel.