Virtual Tunnel Header Removal for Bandwidth Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tunneling techniques in carrier networks result in inefficient data packet transport due to redundant tunnel headers, which waste bandwidth and limit intermediate nodes' ability to access or break out traffic, as they can only read tunnel headers and not the underlying data packets.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual tunnel by removing tunnel headers from data packets entering the network domain and adding them back at the exit, allowing intermediate nodes to process plain data packets and enabling local traffic insertion or breakout between tunnel endpoints, with a centralized controller managing forwarding rules and encapsulation/decapsulation functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tunnel headers are added to data packets at tunnel endpoints for traffic separation, then traffic from different users/services is separated and protected from shortcutting, but tunnel header overhead increases and bandwidth is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tunnel header from the data packet at the ingress node before forwarding into the transport network, and re-adds it at the egress node. This removes the tunnel header overhead during transport, eliminating bandwidth waste while maintaining traffic separation through alternative means (routing tables, flow identifiers)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the tunnel functionality into three parts: (1) tunnel establishment at endpoints, (2) header removal at ingress for efficient transport, and (3) header re-addition at egress. This segmentation allows the tunnel to provide protection at endpoints while eliminating overhead during the transport phase
2Reliability
If tunnel headers are added to data packets for end-to-end protection, then intermediate nodes cannot access or breakout traffic, but traffic security and integrity are maintained, yet intermediate nodes cannot perform local traffic management
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the tunnel header at the ingress node, the patent exposes the inner data packet to intermediate nodes, enabling them to read, access, and perform local breakout operations on the traffic while the tunnel protection is re-established at the egress node
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the ingress node acts as a mediator that removes the tunnel header to enable intermediate node access, while the egress node re-adds it to maintain end-to-end protection. This intermediary action at endpoints enables both access and protection
3Adaptability or versatility
If tunnel headers are removed at intermediate nodes for DPI functions, then intermediate nodes can decode data packets, but tunnel header overhead is reintroduced at each node and bandwidth is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tunnel header once at the ingress node rather than at each intermediate node, eliminating redundant header removal and re-addition operations. This single extraction point prevents bandwidth waste while still enabling intermediate nodes to access and decode packet contents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the tunnel header removal function into the ingress node operation, combining header management with the forwarding decision. This eliminates the need for separate header removal operations at each intermediate node, reducing overhead and simplifying the network architecture
4Adaptability or versatility
If tunnel headers are added at each network node for virtual tunnel implementation, then tunnels can be established flexibly, but redundant tunnel headers are created and bandwidth efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tunnel header at the ingress node before transport, eliminating redundant headers that would otherwise be created at each node. This maintains tunnel establishment flexibility while significantly improving bandwidth efficiency during transport
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding tunnel headers at each intermediate node (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by removing the header at the ingress node and re-adding it only at the egress node. This inversion eliminates redundancy while preserving tunnel functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A method for supporting transport of data packets in a network, wherein the data packets are transmitted from a source node to a destination node by employing a tunnel from a first tunnel endpoint to a second tunnel endpoint, wherein a tunnel header is added to the data packets at the first tunnel endpoint, wherein the data packets are transmitted between the tunnel endpoints via a network domain that includes one or more intermediate nodes functioning as transport network, and wherein the intermediate nodes forward the data packets, is characterized in that the tunnel is provided in the form of a virtual tunnel by removing the tunnel header from the data packets where the data packets enter the network domain and adding back the tunnel header to the data packets where the data packets exit the network domain. A corresponding system for supporting transport of data packets is disclosed.