US 7,606,267 B2 · Reducing the sizes of application layer messages in a network element

Abstract

A method is disclosed for reducing the sizes of application layer messages in a network element such as a network switch or router. According to one aspect, the network element receives data packets and determines an original application layer message that is collectively contained in payload portions of the data packets. The network element compresses the original application layer message into a compressed message, and sends the compressed message toward an application that is hosted on a device other than the network element. According to another aspect, the network element receives data packets and determines a compressed message that is collectively contained in payload portions of the data packets. The network element decompresses the compressed message into an original application layer message, and sends the original application layer message toward an application that is hosted on a device other than the network element. Compressed messages consume less network bandwidth.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method of reducing the size of application layer messages in a network element, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

receiving one or more data packets at a network element;
wherein the one or more data packets comprise network layer or transport layer headers having a destination address that differs from an address of the network element;
determining whether the headers of the data packets match a particular set of criteria;
in response to determining that the headers of the data packets do not match the particular set of criteria, forwarding the data packets without performing compression on application layer information contained in the data packets;
and
in response to determining that the headers of the data packets match the particular set of criteria, determining whether to compress an application layer message contained in the data packets by:
assembling payloads of the data packets into an application layer message;
determining whether the application layer message satisfies second criteria associated with a message classification;
in response to determining that the application layer message does not satisfy the second criteria, forwarding the data packets without compressing the application layer message;
and
in response to determining that the application layer message satisfies the second criteria:
compressing the application layer message into a compressed message;
and
sending the compressed message toward an application that is hosted on a device other than the network element.

11 more elements

An apparatus for reducing the size of application layer messages, comprising:

a network interface that is coupled to a data network for receiving one or more packet flows therefrom;
a processor;
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 at a network element;
wherein the one or more data packets comprise network layer or transport layer headers having a destination address that differs from an address of the network element;
determining whether the headers of the data packets match a particular set of criteria;
in response to determining that the headers of the data packets do not match the particular set of criteria, forwarding the data packets without performing compression on application layer information contained in the data packets;
and
in response to determining that the headers of the data packets match the particular set of criteria, determining whether to compress an application layer message contained in the data packets by performing, at the network element:
assembling payloads of the data packets into an application layer message;
determining whether the application layer message satisfies second criteria associated with a message classification;
in response to determining that the application layer message does not satisfy the second criteria, forwarding the data packets without compressing the application layer message;
and
in response to determining that the application layer message satisfies the second criteria:
compressing the application layer message into a compressed message;
and
sending the compressed message toward an application that is hosted on a device other than the network element.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Reducing the sizes of application layer messages in a network element

Life of this patent

Reducing the sizes of application layer messages in a network element

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16