TCP Proxy Device Throughput Density in Hybrid Wired Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

TCP throughput is reduced in hybrid networks with both wired and wireless connections due to congestion and packet errors in wireless links, as TCP protocol does not adapt well to wireless link conditions, leading to degraded network performance.

Innovation Solution

Modifying TCP layer behavior over wireless connections by using a TCP proxy device that examines network packets, emulates wireless receiver and sender devices, and aggregates packets, while maintaining the TCP protocol, to improve throughput density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If TCP protocol is used over wireless connections in hybrid networks, then standard network communication is maintained, but throughput is reduced due to packet losses being misinterpreted as congestion

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTCP protocol complianceVSAvoidthroughput density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A TCP proxy device is introduced as an intermediary between wireless stations and the TCP network. The proxy maintains TCP protocol compliance by handling ACK packets and congestion window management, while simultaneously optimizing wireless transmission through packet aggregation and selective ACK suppression, thereby resolving the contradiction between protocol adherence and throughput optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes TCP parameters such as congestion window size and ACK timing based on wireless channel conditions. By monitoring packet losses and adjusting TCP parameters accordingly, the system maintains protocol compliance while adapting to wireless variability to improve throughput density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If packet aggregation is implemented to improve wireless transmission efficiency, then throughput is increased, but TCP protocol enforcement becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethroughput densityVSAvoidTCP protocol enforcement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The TCP proxy functionality is segmented into distinct modules: packet inspection module, ACK suppression module, packet aggregation module, and TCP enforcement module. This segmentation allows complex packet aggregation to be implemented while maintaining clear separation from TCP protocol enforcement, reducing overall system complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The TCP proxy acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of packet aggregation and TCP protocol enforcement separately. By intercepting and processing packets through the proxy pipeline, the system can implement aggregation without directly modifying TCP protocol behavior, thereby reducing enforcement complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11057501B2Increasing throughput density of TCP traffic on a hybrid data network having both wired and wireless connections by modifying TCP layer behavior over the wireless connection while maintaining TCP protocol

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 FORTINET INC

AI summary

A WLAN driver of the TCP proxy device transmits network packets transmitted from a sender device over the data communication network to a wireless station. TCP network packets are diverted to a TCP proxy pipeline. First, the wireless receiver device is emulated to a wireless sender device by providing an ACK packet to the sender device in order to close the TCP session on the sender side by responding to a TCP handshake with the sender device. Second, the sender device is emulated to a wireless station over the wireless network connection by initiating a TCP handshake with a wireless station including receiving an ACK packet from the wireless station and suppressing the ACK packet from an initial destination associated with the sender device.