Virtual Switch Provisional Identifier Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current service providers face challenges in providing connectivity between locations due to the high cost and complexity of conventional routers used for mapping data streams into transport tunnels, which are expensive and difficult to configure and maintain.
Innovation Solution
The use of inexpensive switch modules to create virtual switch instances by assigning data packets to a provisional identifier, allowing them to be forwarded based on this identifier instead of the user identifier, and then removing the provisional identifier before forwarding to the destination, enabling efficient data stream relaying through network tunnels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional routers are used to map data streams into transport tunnels, then data stream relaying capability is achieved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual switch as an intermediary device between the data stream source and the transport tunnel. This virtual switch uses provisional identifiers to map data streams to tunnels, eliminating the need for complex conventional routers. The virtual switch acts as a mediator that simplifies the data stream relaying process while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the identifier parameter from user identifiers to provisional identifiers within the virtual switch. This parameter change allows the switch to forward data packets based on simpler provisional identifiers rather than complex user identifiers, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to relay data streams reliably through the transport tunnel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional routers with custom silicon and large buffer spaces are used, then data packet manipulation capability is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive switch modules with standard silicon instead of expensive custom silicon routers. These cheaper switch modules use provisional identifiers to perform data packet forwarding, achieving sufficient adaptability for the application without requiring costly custom hardware. The virtual switch architecture allows standard, manufacturable components to replace expensive custom silicon.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the data packet manipulation function from the expensive router hardware and relocates it to a virtual switch layer. This separation allows standard, inexpensive switch modules to handle packet forwarding using software-based virtual switching, eliminating the need for costly custom silicon while maintaining data packet manipulation capability.
3Productivity
If conventional routers with high-speed software modules are used, then data stream mapping is achieved, but maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual switch instances that can be easily copied and deployed. Instead of maintaining complex router software modules, the virtual switch uses standardized identifiers and protocols that are simpler to replicate and maintain. The provisional identifier system allows for easier troubleshooting and maintenance while maintaining high-speed data stream mapping capability.
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes tools useful in relaying a data stream from a data device to a network tunnel, such as by enabling virtual switching using a provisional identifier to conceal a user identifier. These tools, for example, may use an inexpensive switch module to create virtual switch instances. To do so, the tools may assign data packets to a virtual switch instance by mapping the data packets to a particular provisional identifier and then modifying the data packets to include the provisional identifier. The switch module may then forward the data packets based on the provisional identifier rather than on the user identifier. The tools may remove the provisional identifier before forwarding the data packets to a destination.