UDP Encapsulation for Satellite TCP Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In network traffic optimization over satellite links, the overwrite of TCP options fields by satellite modems interferes with optimization processes, making it difficult to deploy wide area application services, and the configuration of static TCP tunnels becomes complex as the number of endpoints increases.

Innovation Solution

Establishing dynamic UDP tunnels for initial TCP connection setup allows for optimization without disabling TCP options or configuring static tunnels, maintaining end-to-end transparency and avoiding the complexity of static tunnel management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If TCP options field is used for traffic optimization, then network traffic optimization is achieved, but satellite modem overwrites the TCP options field interfering with optimization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork traffic optimizationVSAvoidoptimization process reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a UDP tunnel as an intermediary layer between the satellite modem and the optimization device. The UDP tunnel encapsulates TCP packets, allowing the optimization device to insert TCP options that will not be overwritten by the satellite modem, thus preserving the optimization information while maintaining compatibility with the modem's overwrite behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from direct TCP optimization to UDP-encapsulated TCP optimization. By adding the UDP layer, the system moves to another dimension of protocol stacking, where the TCP options field is protected within the UDP payload and cannot be overwritten by the satellite modem that operates at the UDP or lower layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If static TCP tunnels are configured for optimization, then traffic optimization is achieved, but configuration complexity increases as number of endpoints increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic optimizationVSAvoidtunnel configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic discovery and dynamic tunnel establishment between optimization devices. Instead of requiring manual configuration of static tunnels between all endpoint pairs, the devices autonomously discover each other and establish UDP tunnels as needed, eliminating the complexity of managing numerous static tunnel configurations as the network scales

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces static tunnel configurations with dynamic tunnel establishment. The UDP tunnels are created on-demand based on actual traffic requirements and automatically torn down when no longer needed, providing flexibility and reducing configuration complexity compared to permanent static tunnels that must be pre-configured for all possible endpoint combinations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8817815B2Traffic optimization over network link

Publication Date: 2014.08.26 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) packet at a service device configured to optimize traffic over a network link, inserting a discovery identifier in the TCP packet, encapsulating the TCP packet in a UDP (User Datagram Protocol) packet, and transmitting the UDP packet over the network link. An apparatus is also disclosed.