Two-Stage Hash Scheme for Network Connection Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network connection tracking systems face challenges in efficiently managing millions of connections, leading to resource-intensive monitoring that can slow down packet throughput due to the need for extensive system resources.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage hash scheme is implemented to validate connection states for incoming packets by generating two hash values, using the first hash to access a hash bucket index and the second hash to locate a connection state entry within the bucket, minimizing sequential memory accesses and optimizing resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extensive system resources are used to monitor connection state information for millions of packets, then connection tracking accuracy is improved, but packet throughput slows down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connection tracking system into multiple segments: a connection tracking table storing connection state information, a hash function module that generates hash values from packet data, and a lookup module that queries the table. This segmentation allows efficient organization and access of connection data without requiring extensive system resources for monitoring all packets sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms packet data parameters (source IP, destination IP, source port, destination port, protocol) into hash value parameters through a hash function. This parameter transformation enables rapid lookup in the connection tracking table by converting complex packet identification into simplified hash key comparisons, improving both tracking accuracy and throughput.
2Reliability
If extensive system resources are allocated for tracking millions of connections, then connection state monitoring is improved, but system resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of connection information in the form of hash values that can be rapidly compared against stored connection states. Instead of processing and comparing full packet data structures, the system uses compact hash representations that consume fewer system resources while maintaining accurate connection tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical comparison operations (comparing full packet data structures) with computational hash function operations. The hash function module efficiently transforms packet parameters into hash values that can be quickly matched against stored connections, substituting resource-intensive data structure comparisons with lighter computational operations.
3Productivity
If simple hash lookup is used for connection validation, then packet processing speed is improved, but accuracy in locating connection state entries may deteriorate due to hash collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the hash value as an intermediary between packet data and connection state entries in the tracking table. The hash function module generates this intermediary representation that serves as a key for efficient lookup, balancing both processing speed and location accuracy by reducing the complexity of direct packet-data comparison while maintaining precise connection identification.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for accessing a memory location may include receiving packet data associated with a network connection. A first hash value and a second hash value are generated using the packet data. The first hash value identifies a hash bucket with a plurality of connection state entries. An index entry of the hash bucket is accessed using the first hash value. The index entry includes a plurality of hash keys for the corresponding plurality of connection state entries. The second hash value is matched with one of the plurality of hash keys in the index entry to obtain an offset. One of the plurality of connection state entries for the network connection is identified based on the first hash value and the offset. The identified connection state entry is accessed.