Guaranteed delivery of application layer messages by a network element

• US 8,082,304 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Issued: 12/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ho, Ricky, Anthias, Tefcros
• Primary Examiner(s): Etienne, Ario
• Assistant Examiner(s): SALL, EL HADJI MALICK
• Application Number:
  US11/009,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20060129650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,566 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/206, 709/223, 709/224, 709/230, 726/3, 726/27
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/561 Adding application-functional data or data for application control, e.g. adding metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/5651 Reducing the amount or size of exchanged application data

Abstract

A method is disclosed by which network elements such as packet routers and packet switches guarantee the delivery of application layer messages within a network. According to one aspect, a first network element retrieves an application layer message from a source message queue, adds a message identifier to the application layer message, encapsulates the application layer message into data packets, and sends the data packets toward a destination application. A second network element intercepts the data packets, determines the application layer message from payload portions of the data packets, determines the message identifier from the application layer message, stores the application layer message in a destination message queue, generates an acknowledgement message that contains the message identifier, and sends the acknowledgement message toward a source application. The first network element intercepts the acknowledgement message and concludes that the application layer message within the matching message identifier was successfully delivered.

Claims

1. A method of providing reliable delivery of an application layer message, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving one or more data packets at a first network element;

determining a first application layer message that is collectively contained in one or more payload portions of the one or more data packets, wherein the first application layer message originated at a source application;

extracting, from the first application layer message, a message identifier that is contained in the first application layer message;

determining whether a message identifier queue contains the message identifier; and

in response to determining that the message identifier queue does not contain the message identifier, storing the first application layer message in an application layer message queue as well as storing the message identifier into the message identifier queue atomically, and sending towards the source application, an acknowledgment (ACK) message that indicates the message identifier;

wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices of the first network element located between the source application and a destination of the first application layer message.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the storing comprises storing in a persistent storage device that is coupled to the router and coupled to the destination.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

in response to determining that the message identifier queue contains the message identifier, sending the acknowledgment (ACK) message toward the source application without storing the first application layer message in the application layer message queue.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the message identifier was added to the first application layer message by a second network element that is separate from both the first network element and a device that hosts the source application.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving the one or more data packets comprises intercepting the one or more data packets at the first network element, and wherein the one or more data packets are destined for a destination application rather than the first network element.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first network element is a network switch or router.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable volatile or non-volatile storage medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for providing reliable delivery of an application layer message, which instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to carry out the steps of:

receiving one or more data packets at a first network element;

determining a first application layer message that is collectively contained in one or more payload portions of the one or more data packets, wherein the first application layer message originated at a source application;

extracting, from the first application layer message, a message identifier that is contained in the first application layer message;

determining whether a message identifier queue contains the message identifier; and

in response to determining that the message identifier queue does not contain the message identifier, storing the first application layer message in an application layer message queue as well as storing the message identifier into the message identifier queue atomically, and sending, towards the source application, an acknowledgment (ACK) message that indicates the message identifier;

wherein the first network element is located between the source application and a destination of the first application layer message.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable volatile or non-volatile storage medium as recited in claim 7, wherein instructions which cause the storing comprise instructions which when executed cause storing in a persistent storage device that is coupled to the router and coupled to the destination.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable volatile or non-volatile storage medium as recited in claim 7, wherein the steps further comprise:

in response to determining that the message identifier queue contains the message identifier, sending the acknowledgment (ACK) message toward the source application without storing the first application layer message in the application layer message queue.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable volatile or non-volatile storage medium as recited in claim 7, wherein the message identifier was added to the first application layer message by a second network element that is separate from both the first network element and a device that hosts the source application.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable volatile or non-volatile storage medium as recited in claim 7, wherein receiving the one or more data packets comprises intercepting the one or more data packets at the first network element, and wherein the one or more data packets are destined for a destination application rather than the first network element.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable volatile or non-volatile storage medium as recited in claim 7, wherein the first network element is a network switch or router.

13. An apparatus for providing reliable delivery of an application layer message, comprising:

a network interface for receiving one or more packet flows;

a processor;

a computer-readable volatile or non-volatile storage medium storing one or more stored sequences of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out the steps of;

receiving one or more data packets;

determining a first application layer message that is collectively contained in one or more payload portions of the one or more data packets, wherein the first application layer message originated at a source application;

extracting, from the first application layer message, a message identifier that is contained in the first application layer message;

determining whether a message identifier queue contains the message identifier; and

in response to determining that the message identifier queue does not contain the message identifier, storing the first application layer message in an application layer message queue from which a destination application can retrieve the first application layer message, and sending, toward the source application, an acknowledgment (ACK) message that indicates the message identifiers;

wherein the apparatus is located between the source application and a destination of the first application layer message.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the one or more stored sequences of instructions further comprise instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

identifier perform the storing in a persistent storage device that is coupled to the router and coupled to the destination.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the one or more stored sequences of instructions further comprise instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

in response to determining that the message identifier queue contains the message identifier, sending the acknowledgment (ACK) message toward the source application without storing the first application layer message in the application layer message queue.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the message identifier was added to the first application layer message by a second network element that is separate from both the first network element and a device that hosts the source application.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein receiving the one or more data packets comprises intercepting the one or more data packets at the first network element, and wherein the one or more data packets are destined for a destination application rather than the first network element.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the first network element is a network switch or router.