Packet-Layer Transparent Network Using Forwarding Instruction Tags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packet-switching networks require complex and costly routing, switching, and forwarding tables for packet-layer transparent connectivity, making them inefficient, scalable, and vulnerable to security breaches.
Innovation Solution
A packet-layer transparent network system that enables direct L2 links between routers, using Forwarding Instruction Tags (FITs) for packet forwarding without the need for routing or switching tables, allowing routers to establish a mesh of direct connections and exchange packets based on pre-determined rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional packet-switching networks use routing, switching, and forwarding tables for packet-layer transparent connectivity, then packet forwarding capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the forwarding instruction logic from complex routing and switching tables and embeds it directly into compact Forwarding Instruction Tags (FITs) attached to packet headers. This eliminates the need for large lookup tables in network devices, reducing device complexity while maintaining packet forwarding capability through simple tag-based forwarding rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from complex multi-dimensional routing table entries to simplified FIT parameters including service flow identifiers, forwarding action codes, and next-hop identifiers. This parameter transformation enables packet-layer transparent connectivity with significantly reduced device complexity and faster forwarding decisions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional packet-switching networks use complex forwarding tables, then comprehensive routing coverage is achieved, but scalability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal FIT structure that can represent multiple forwarding actions (drop, copy, forward to specific interface, forward to next-hop router) within a single tag format. This multi-functional tag system provides comprehensive routing coverage while maintaining network scalability, as devices only need to process standardized FIT structures rather than maintain extensive routing tables.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the forwarding decision process into hierarchical levels: core routing decisions are encoded in compact FITs generated by border routers, while internal network devices perform simple tag matching and forwarding. This segmentation enables comprehensive routing coverage through coordinated multi-device processing while maintaining individual device scalability.
3Reliability
If conventional packet-switching networks implement packet-layer routing and switching, then packet forwarding is achieved, but vulnerability to security breaches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary security actions by encoding authentication credentials, service flow policies, and forwarding permissions in FITs before packets enter the transparent switching domain. Border routers perform security verification and FIT generation in advance, eliminating the need for internal devices to make complex routing decisions that could be exploited. This preliminary action maintains packet forwarding while reducing security vulnerability.
4Ease of operation
If conventional packet-switching networks use multiple L1 connections for mesh connectivity, then direct L2 link capability is achieved, but the number of required connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces FIT-based transparent packet-switching network as an intermediary layer between routers. This intermediary enables direct L2 link capability through virtual circuit emulation, where FITs carry forwarding instructions that create logical direct connections without requiring physical L1 mesh connections between all router pairs. The intermediary layer provides L2 connectivity while reducing L1 connection requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Packet forwarding systems and methods allow packet-layer transparent, multi-stage packet forwarding among a set of network access points. Packet forwarding across networks utilizing the invention is directly controllable through the upper-layer nodes, e.g. routers, interconnected by such transparent packet forwarding networks. The systems and methods provide packet-layer routing, switching and forwarding look-up-table free and transparent forwarding of label-encapsulated multi-protocol packet traffic among a set of routers. The invention enables flexible and efficient packet multicast and anycast capabilities along with real-time dynamic load balancing and fast packet-level traffic protection rerouting. The invention replaces the need for packet forwarding look-up-tables in a router interconnect network by a set of rules using which such network forwards packets directly based on their forwarding labels inserted in the packet headers by the routers exchanging packets through said network, thus simplifying network management and equipment implementation, and facilitating optimization of packet traffic flow across communications networks.