WAN Controller Node Optimizing Packet Transport via Non-Stream Protocols
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Solution Overview
Problem
High latency in wide area networks (WANs) leads to inefficient connection setup times and reduced packet throughput, particularly over long-distance communication links, due to high latency in TCP connection establishment and low link bandwidth utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses non-stream-oriented transport layer protocols, such as SCTP, to establish VPN tunnel connections, allowing for the encapsulation of stream-oriented packets into non-stream-oriented associations, and dynamically selecting links or routes based on topological and operational parameters to optimize packet transport, thereby reducing the need for a TCP three-way handshake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TCP three-way handshake is used for connection setup over long-distance WAN links, then connection security and reliability are ensured, but connection setup time increases significantly due to high latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes VPN tunnel connections between WAN nodes before actual data transmission is needed. These tunnels use non-stream-oriented protocols that can be set up faster than traditional TCP connections. When data transmission is required, the pre-established tunnels are immediately activated, eliminating the need for time-consuming TCP three-way handshakes across high-latency WAN links while maintaining security through encrypted tunnel connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces VPN tunnel connections as intermediary pathways between end devices. Instead of establishing direct TCP connections across the high-latency WAN, data is encapsulated within these pre-established tunnels that use more efficient connection setup mechanisms. The tunnel endpoints handle the connection management, allowing internal data transmission to bypass the traditional TCP handshake process while maintaining security and reliability.
2Reliability
If traditional TCP connections are used for data transmission over WAN, then data reliability is maintained, but link bandwidth utilization rate decreases due to high latency and connection setup overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes multiple VPN tunnel connections with different WAN nodes before data transmission is needed. These tunnels are set up using efficient protocols that minimize setup time. When data transmission is required, the system can immediately utilize these pre-established tunnels, eliminating the bandwidth waste associated with TCP connection setup delays and allowing faster utilization of available link capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic selection and activation of pre-established VPN tunnels based on current network conditions and data transmission requirements. The system can dynamically choose which tunnel to use for different data flows, optimize path selection, and activate tunnels on-demand without undergoing time-consuming connection setup processes, thereby improving overall bandwidth utilization while maintaining data reliability through the tunnel encryption and protocol safeguards.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for transporting packets over a wide area network (WAN) in a communications network are provided where the WAN comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes including at least a first communication node, a second communication node and a WAN controller node. The method comprises establishing virtual private network (VPN) tunnel connections on communication links between some or all of the communication nodes comprising the WAN, using a non-stream-oriented transport layer protocol to establish a non-stream-oriented association for each VPN tunnel connection, and, on receiving a packet connection from a source device at said first communication node, encapsulating packets from said packet connection into one or more non-stream-oriented associations between the first communication node and the second communication node to thereby transport said packets from the source device to the second communication node. The WAN controller node communicates to the first communication node a selection of links or routes for packet transport to the second communication node. The first communication node selects the one or more non-stream-oriented associations for encapsulating packets into from a plurality of non-stream-oriented associations established on the links or routes communicated to said first node by the WAN controller node.