Automatic network optimization

• US 7,948,921 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2007
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: Silver Peak Systems Incorporated (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Inventors: Balasubramanian, Balaji, Hughes, David Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): CHO, HONG SOL
• Application Number:
  US11/903,416
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 370/254, 370/255, 370/389, 370/392, 370/400, 370/401
• US Class Current: 370/255
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/56 Packet switching systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/5651 Reducing the amount or size of exchanged application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/04 Protocols for data compression, e.g. ROHC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 Parsing or analysis of headers

Abstract

Systems and methods for automatic network optimization are provided. One embodiment comprises receiving a first data packet including an unenhanced payload from a first network device. A portion of the first data packet is then modified, the portion being outside the unenhanced payload of the first data packet, to indicate that a first optimization device is capable of enhanced communication. Next, the modified first data packet is sent from the first optimization device to an endpoint device. An indication of a capability of enhanced payload processing may be received. Based on the indication, an enhanced payload of a second data packet addressed to the endpoint device based on the indication may be generated. Finally, the second data packet including the enhanced payload may be sent to the endpoint device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a first data packet including an unenhanced payload from a first network device;

modifying a portion of the first data packet, the portion being outside the unenhanced payload of the first data packet, to indicate that a first optimization device is capable of enhanced communication;

sending the modified first data packet from the first optimization device to an endpoint device;

receiving an indication of a capability of enhanced payload processing;

generating an enhanced payload of a second data packet addressed to the endpoint device based on the indication;

sending the second data packet including the enhanced payload to the endpoint device;

sending a third data packet from the first optimization device to an endpoint device, the third data packet having a modified portion outside of a payload;

receiving an acknowledgement of the third data packet that does not indicate a capability of enhanced payload processing;

receiving a fourth data packet with an unenhanced payload; and

sending the fourth data packet to the endpoint device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving a third data packet from a second optimization device over a tunnel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving a third packet including another enhanced payload.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified portion includes a checksum.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified portion includes a hash value.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified portion includes a sequence number.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified portion is included in a Transmission Control Protocol option.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified portion is included in an Internet Protocol option.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified portion is included in an Internet Protocol header.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced payload of the second data packet is compressed.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced payload of the second data packet is encrypted.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced payload of the second data packet comprises a retrieval instruction.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending the first data packet from the first optimization device to the endpoint device via at least two optimization devices.

14. A method comprising:

receiving a first data packet from an optimization device;

analyzing a portion of the first data packet outside of a payload;

identifying a modification;

sending an indication of a capability to process an enhanced payload to the optimization device;

receiving a second data packet from an optimization device;

analyzing a portion of the second data packet outside of payload;

identifying a modification; and

sending an indication of an incapability to process an enhanced payload to the optimization device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving a second data packet with an enhanced payload and processing the enhanced payload of the second data packet.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein processing the enhanced payload comprises decrypting the enhanced payload.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein processing the enhanced payload comprises decompressing the enhanced payload.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein processing the enhanced payload comprises executing a retrieval instruction.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the portion includes an Internet Protocol header.

20. A system comprising:

a first optimization device configured to receive a data packet from an endpoint device, modify a portion of the data packet outside of a payload to indicate that the first optimization device is capable of enhanced processing, and send the modified first data packet via a communication network;

a second optimization device on the communication network, the second optimization device configured to receive the modified data packet, detect the modification, and indicate to the first optimization device that the second optimization device is capable of the enhanced processing;

the first optimization device further configured to send a third data packet to an endpoint device, the third data packet having a modified portion outside of a payload;

a third optimization device on the communication network configured to receive an acknowledgement of the third data packet that does not indicate a capability of enhanced payload processing; and

a fourth optimization device on the communication network configured to receive a fourth data packet with an unenhanced payload and send the fourth data packet to the endpoint device.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the first optimization device is further configured to receive a second data packet having a second payload from the endpoint device, enhance the second payload based on the indication, and send the second data packet with the enhanced payload to the second optimization device.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein a modification within the modified portion of the first data packet is not detected by another endpoint device configured to process the payload of the first data packet.

23. A system comprising:

a first modification module configured to receive a first data packet from a network device, modify a portion of the first data packet outside of a payload of the first data packet, the modification indicating an enhanced processing capability;

an first identification module configured to receive a second modified data packet from an optimization device, detect the modification in a portion of the second data packet, and send an indication of the enhanced processing capability to the optimization device;

a second modification module further configured to send a third data packet to an endpoint device, the third data packet having a modified portion outside of a payload; and

a second identification module configured to receive an acknowledgement of the third data packet that does not indicate a capability of enhanced payload processing, receive a fourth data packet with an unenhanced payload, and send the fourth data packet to the endpoint device.