Unmarshalled Routing via Node List Envelope
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network communications, intermediate nodes incur inefficiencies and resource waste by unmarshalling and marshalling messages not intended for them, often lacking necessary DTO knowledge or encryption keys, especially when direct communication between nodes is not possible.
Innovation Solution
A message routing system that includes a node list field in the message envelope specifying the routing path, allowing intermediate nodes to forward messages without unmarshalling if they are not the destination, thereby reducing unnecessary processing and encryption key requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If intermediate nodes unmarshal and re-marshal messages for relay, then messages can be routed through intermediate nodes, but processing time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the routing information (destination node identifier) from the message payload and places it in the message envelope header. This allows intermediate nodes to perform routing decisions based solely on envelope information without needing to unmarshal the entire message payload, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining routing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The message structure is segmented into two parts: the envelope (containing routing information) and the payload (containing actual data). Intermediate nodes only process the envelope for routing decisions, while the payload remains marshalled and is only unmarshalled at the destination node, significantly reducing intermediate processing time
2Ease of operation
If intermediate nodes unmarshal messages, then routing decisions can be made, but DTO knowledge and encryption keys are required which may not be available
Solution Approach 1:
The destination node identifier is extracted from the marshalled payload and placed in the unmarshalled envelope header. Intermediate nodes can perform routing decisions by reading only the envelope header, which contains essential routing information in an unmarshalled state, eliminating the need to unmarshal the entire message and access DTO definitions
Solution Approach 2:
The envelope is unmarshalled in advance before the message reaches intermediate nodes, preparing the routing information in a readily accessible format. This preliminary action allows intermediate nodes to make routing decisions without performing full message unmarshalling, reducing the need for DTO knowledge at intermediate nodes
3Reliability
If messages are encrypted, then security is improved, but intermediate nodes need private keys to decrypt which are not always available
Solution Approach 1:
The message is segmented into the encrypted payload and the unencrypted envelope. The envelope containing routing information remains unencrypted and accessible to intermediate nodes, while the payload maintains encryption for security. This allows intermediate nodes to route encrypted messages without needing decryption keys, eliminating key management complexity while preserving security
Solution Approach 2:
The unencrypted envelope acts as an intermediary layer between the encrypted payload and intermediate nodes. It carries essential routing information that intermediate nodes can process without decryption, serving as a mediator that enables routing functionality while maintaining payload encryption and eliminating the need for intermediate nodes to hold private keys
4Loss of information
If full message unmarshalling is performed at each intermediate node, then complete message inspection is possible, but processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Essential routing information is extracted from the full message and placed in the envelope header. Intermediate nodes inspect only this extracted routing information rather than the entire message, maintaining the ability to make correct routing decisions while significantly improving processing efficiency by avoiding unnecessary inspection of the payload
Data Source
AI summary
In distributed object computing, messages from a source node to a destination node are often required to be routed via one or more intermediate nodes. In order to enhance efficiency of the relay process, a message envelope of a message may include a node list field that specifies the routing path of the message. The communication protocol for communicating the message may specify that when a message is received into a particular node, the node analyzes the node list field. If the identity of the node is last in the node list field, then the node is the destination node and thus the node unmarshals the message. Otherwise, the node forwards the message to the next node in the field list without unmarshalling the message.