Unified Inverse Address Resolution via Control Plane Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for resolving hardware addresses into network addresses, such as Inverse Address Resolution Protocol (InARP), are inefficient in conveying InARP packets between source and end nodes, requiring customized encapsulation methods and encoding/decoding processes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves encoding a common path identifier into InARP requests sent through control network addresses, allowing identification and termination determination at intermediate nodes, and using path state information for forwarding InARP packets, enabling efficient inverse address resolution across various data link layers without customized encapsulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If InARP packets are conveyed using traditional data plane encapsulation methods, then compatibility with existing data link layers is maintained, but conveying efficiency increases and device complexity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the InARP protocol independent of specific data link layer encapsulation methods. The InARP packets can be conveyed over different data link layers (Frame Relay, ATM, MPLS, IP-based networks) using their respective native encapsulation methods without requiring customized InARP encapsulation for each layer. This multi-functionality allows the same InARP protocol to operate efficiently across diverse network infrastructures, improving conveying efficiency while reducing the need for customized encapsulation logic at devices.
2Productivity
If InARP requests are sent through control network addresses rather than data plane, then conveying efficiency improves and customized encapsulation is reduced, but reliability of address resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where control network addresses serve as mediators for conveying InARP requests. Instead of sending InARP packets directly through the data plane between source and destination nodes, the requests are routed through control network addresses that facilitate the address resolution process. This intermediary approach improves conveying efficiency by utilizing established control plane routing while maintaining reliability through the structured control plane handling of resolution requests.
3Productivity
If path state information is used for forwarding InARP packets at intermediate nodes, then routing accuracy improves and conveying efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing path state information during the initial data path setup phase. Before InARP packets need to be forwarded, the routing paths and associated state information are pre-configured at intermediate nodes through control plane signaling. This preliminary establishment of path state allows InARP packets to be efficiently forwarded using pre-computed routing information, improving conveying efficiency while minimizing the complexity of real-time path state processing during actual InARP operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a technique for conveying Inverse Address Resolution Protocol (InARP) packets between a source node and an end node. A data path is established through a data communication network between the source node and the end node by exchanging signaling messages between network nodes along the data path. InARP requests are sent through the control address space used for controlling the operation of the network. At the source node, a common path identifier that identifies the data path is encoded into a request that is sent to the end node for identifying a particular data path that terminates at that end node, and for returning a data network address associated with that data path.