Virtual Dataplane Fixed Inter-Packet Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software implementations of high-speed interfaces often lack predictable data-transfer speeds due to varying packet processing times, making them unsuitable for many applications, while dedicated hardware solutions are time-consuming and costly to design.
Innovation Solution
A virtual dataplane with pre-calculated processing parameters for packets, stored in memory, ensures a fixed inter-packet time by modifying packet headers based on pre-calculated parameters like encapsulation, quality-of-service, and priority, allowing for predictable and high-performance data transfer without real-time parameter determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software implementation is used for high-speed interfaces, then flexibility and development time are improved, but data-transfer speed predictability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates processing parameters for packets in advance and stores them in memory before actual packet processing occurs. This preliminary action eliminates the need for real-time parameter calculation, ensuring predictable inter-packet time while maintaining software flexibility. The pre-calculated parameters include timing information that guarantees fixed inter-packet intervals regardless of computational variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of processing parameters from dynamic (calculated in real-time) to static (pre-calculated and stored). By transforming parameters into a fixed, stored format, the system achieves predictable data-transfer speeds while retaining software implementation benefits. The parameters are changed from computational variables to stored constants that can be rapidly retrieved.
2Manufacturing precision
If real-time parameter calculation is performed for each packet, then processing accuracy is improved, but inter-packet time variability increases
Solution Approach 1:
Processing parameters are calculated and stored in advance for multiple packets before actual transmission occurs. This preliminary calculation phase separates the computational work from the time-critical transmission phase, ensuring that inter-packet time remains constant while processing accuracy is maintained through careful pre-computation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the packet processing workflow into two distinct phases: a pre-computation phase where parameters are calculated and stored, and a transmission phase where packets are sent using stored parameters. This segmentation allows accurate parameter calculation to occur outside the time-critical transmission path, eliminating its impact on inter-packet time variability.
3Reliability
If dedicated hardware is used for high-speed interfaces, then data-transfer speed predictability is improved, but design complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a software-based copy of hardware functionality by pre-calculating and storing all necessary processing parameters. This virtualization approach replicates the deterministic behavior of dedicated hardware through software mechanisms, achieving similar predictability without the complexity and cost of physical hardware implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/hardware system with a software-based system. By replacing physical hardware processing with software pre-computation and stored parameter retrieval, the system achieves comparable performance characteristics while eliminating hardware design complexity and fabrication requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to provide flexible scaling and dynamic reconfiguration, a wireless local area network controller includes a virtual dataplane with one or more virtual machines. These virtual machines pre-calculate processing parameters for packets in a data flow. For example, the pre-calculated processing parameters may include: encapsulation parameters, quality-of-service parameters and priority parameters. Subsequently, when one of the virtual machines receives a packet in the data flow on an input port, the virtual machine modifies information in a header of the packet based on one or more of the pre-calculated processing parameters and information associated with the data flow (which specifies the one or more pre-calculated processing parameters). Then, the virtual machine transmits the packet on an output port. In this way, the virtual machine maintains a fixed inter-packet time between packets in the data flow.