System and method for providing a sequence numbering mechanism in a network environment
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- receiving a plurality of packets associated with a flow, wherein each one of the packets has associated therewith a sequence number range comprising a plurality of consecutive sequence numbers;
parsing the plurality of packets associated with the flow;
executing a first quality of service decision such that a first set of packets within the plurality of packets are not forwarded to the first set of packets'"'"' intended destination;
creating an entry in a sequence number table for the first set of packets, the entry comprising a list of each of the sequence numbers comprising the sequence number ranges associated with the packets comprising the first set of packets;
receiving a second set of packets, wherein each packet of the second set of packets has associated therewith a sequence number range comprising a plurality of consecutive sequence numbers;
performing a lookup using the table to determine whether the sequence numbers comprising the sequence number ranges for the second set of packets overlaps with the list of sequence numbers indicated in the entry;
if the sequence number range for the second set of packets overlaps with the list of sequence numbers indicated in the entry;
executing a second quality of service decision such that the second set of packets is forwarded to the second set of packets'"'"' intended destination without having been reparsed;
billing the second set of packets in response to the performing; and
resolving the entry to remove from the list of sequence numbers indicated therein the numbers comprising the sequence number ranges for the second set of packets;
wherein if the first set of packets comply with a quality of service policy, the first set of packets is forwarded to the first set of packets'"'"' intended destination.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a plurality of packets associated with a flow; parsing the plurality of packets associated with the flow; executing a first quality of service decision such that a first set of packets within the plurality of packets are not forwarded to their intended destination; receiving a second set of packets, which reflects a retransmission of at least a portion of the first set of packets; executing a second quality of service decision such that the second set of packets is forwarded to their intended destination; and billing the second set of packets in response to forwarding the second set of packets. In more detailed embodiments, the method includes accessing a table in which entries are provided for particular sequence number ranges for the first set of packets.
178 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving a plurality of packets associated with a flow, wherein each one of the packets has associated therewith a sequence number range comprising a plurality of consecutive sequence numbers; parsing the plurality of packets associated with the flow; executing a first quality of service decision such that a first set of packets within the plurality of packets are not forwarded to the first set of packets'"'"' intended destination; creating an entry in a sequence number table for the first set of packets, the entry comprising a list of each of the sequence numbers comprising the sequence number ranges associated with the packets comprising the first set of packets; receiving a second set of packets, wherein each packet of the second set of packets has associated therewith a sequence number range comprising a plurality of consecutive sequence numbers; performing a lookup using the table to determine whether the sequence numbers comprising the sequence number ranges for the second set of packets overlaps with the list of sequence numbers indicated in the entry; if the sequence number range for the second set of packets overlaps with the list of sequence numbers indicated in the entry; executing a second quality of service decision such that the second set of packets is forwarded to the second set of packets'"'"' intended destination without having been reparsed; billing the second set of packets in response to the performing; and resolving the entry to remove from the list of sequence numbers indicated therein the numbers comprising the sequence number ranges for the second set of packets; wherein if the first set of packets comply with a quality of service policy, the first set of packets is forwarded to the first set of packets'"'"' intended destination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Logic encoded in one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor operable to perform operations comprising:
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receiving a plurality of packets associated with a flow, wherein each one of the packets has associated therewith a sequence number range comprising a plurality of consecutive sequence numbers; parsing the plurality of packets associated with the flow; executing a first quality of service decision such that a first set of packets within the plurality of packets are not forwarded to the first set of packets'"'"' intended destination; creating an entry in a sequence number table for the first set of packets, the entry comprising a list of each of the sequence numbers comprising the sequence number ranges associated with the packets comprising the first set of packets; receiving a second set of packets, wherein each packet of the second set of packets has associated therewith a sequence number range comprising a plurality of consecutive sequence numbers; performing a lookup using the table to determine whether the sequence numbers comprising the sequence number ranges for the second set of packets overlaps with the list of sequence numbers indicated in the entry; if the sequence number range for the second set of packets overlaps with the list of sequence numbers indicated in the entry; executing a second quality of service decision such that the second set of packets is forwarded to the second set of packets'"'"' intended destination without having been reparsed; billing the second set of packets in response to the performing; and resolving the entry to remove from the list of sequence numbers indicated therein the numbers comprising the sequence number ranges for the second set of packets; wherein if the first set of packets comply with a quality of service policy, the first set of packets is forwarded to the first set of packets'"'"' intended destination. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus, comprising:
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a memory element configured to store data, a processor configured to execute instructions associated with the data, and a tracking module configured to; receive a plurality of packets associated with a flow, wherein each one of the packets has associated therewith a sequence number range comprising a plurality of consecutive sequence numbers; parse the plurality of packets associated with the flow; execute a first quality of service decision such that a first set of packets within the plurality of packets are not forwarded to the first set of packets'"'"' intended destination; create an entry in a sequence number table for the first set of packets, the entry comprising a list of each of the sequence numbers comprising the sequence number ranges associated with the packets comprising the first set of packets; receive a second set of packets, wherein each packet of the second set of packets has associated therewith a sequence number range comprising a plurality of consecutive sequence numbers; perform a lookup using the table to determine whether the sequence numbers comprising the sequence number ranges for the second set of packets overlaps with the list of sequence numbers indicated in the entry; if the sequence number range for the second set of packets overlaps with the list of sequence numbers indicated in the entry; execute a second quality of service decision such that the second set of packets is forwarded to the second set of packets'"'"' intended destination without having been reparsed; bill the second set of packets in response to the performing; and resolving the entry to remove from the list of sequence numbers indicated therein the numbers comprising the sequence number ranges for the second set of packets; wherein if the first set of packets comply with a quality of service policy, the first set of packets is forwarded to the first set of packets'"'"' intended destination. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification