Method and apparatus for transporting data traffic using classifications
Apparatus and methods for parsing data traffic into queues for efficient routing and prioritization. In one embodiment, methods and apparatus for backhauling small cell data traffic using existing cable network infrastructure using DOCSIS Low Latency queue capabilities are provided. A data traffic classifier may use a two-stages sorting algorithm, including a first stage classification using IP address information and a second stage classification using differentiated services code point (DSCP) value information. In one implementation, the DSCP values of the data traffic are set using QoS Flow Identification (QFI) values.
1. A computerized apparatus configured for classifying packetized data traffic, the computerized apparatus comprising:
a digital processing apparatus;
one or more network interfaces in communication with the digital processing apparatus; and
a storage device in communication with the digital processing apparatus and having at least one computer program disposed thereon in the form of a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed on the digital processing apparatus:
receive a plurality of data packets issued from a user device;
access first data from the plurality of data packets indicative of at least one destination network address;
access second data from the plurality of data packets indicative of at least one QoS management parameter;
based at least on the accessed first data, cause a first sorting of the received plurality of data packets into either low-latency traffic or best-effort traffic;
based at least on the accessed second data, subsequent to the first sorting, cause a re-sorting of the received plurality of data packets; and
in accordance with the re-sorting, utilize one or more of a low-latency bearer or a best-efforts bearer each configured for carrying respective ones of the plurality of data packets from the computerized apparatus to the at least one destination network address.
2. The computerized apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first data comprises a destination IP address for upstream IP packets, and the second data comprises DSCP (differentiated services code point) data.
3. The computerized apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the DSCP (differentiated services code point) data comprises DSCP data obtained via an S1 interface, and the computerized apparatus comprises a 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) femtocell or node.
4. The computerized apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the DSCP (differentiated services code point) data comprises DSCP data obtained via an N3 interface, and the computerized apparatus comprises a 3GPP 5G NR (New Radio) compliant gNB or wireless node.
5. The computerized apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed on the digital processing apparatus, utilize third data within the plurality of data packets, the third data comprising QFI (QoS Flow Identification) data found in one or more encapsulation headers of the plurality of data packets.
6. The computerized apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed on the digital processing apparatus, utilize fourth data, the fourth data comprising data relating to available bandwidth on a data network in communication with the computerized apparatus used for carrying the plurality of data packets.
7. The computerized apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the utilization of the fourth data comprises adjusting at least one sorting algorithm used for the utilization of either the low-latency bearer or the best-efforts bearer.
8. A computerized method of parsing packetized data traffic, the computerized method comprising:
receiving a plurality of data packets;
obtaining first parameters of the data packets;
obtaining second parameters of the data packets;
performing a first evaluation of the plurality of data packets using the first parameters;
based on the first evaluation, assigning a first classification to first ones of the plurality of data packets and assigning a second classification to second ones of plurality of data packets;
performing a second evaluation of the plurality of data packets using the second parameters;
based on the second evaluation, assigning a third classification to at least some of the first ones of the plurality of data packets assigned the first classification, maintaining the first classification to any remaining of the first ones of the plurality of data packets assigned the first classification, assigning a fourth classification to at least some of the second ones of the plurality of data packets assigned the second classification, and maintaining the second classification to any remaining of the second ones of the plurality of data packets assigned the second classification;
sending data packets assigned the first classification and data packets assigned the fourth classification to a first queue; and
sending data packets assigned the second classification and data packets assigned the third classification to a second queue.
9. The computerized method of claim 8 , further comprising extracting Internet Protocol (IP) headers from the plurality of data packets; and
wherein the obtaining the first parameters comprises reading IP addresses from the IP headers.
10. The computerized method of claim 9 , wherein:
the plurality of data packets comprises upstream data traffic;
reading the IP addresses comprises reading only destination IP addresses of the plurality of data packets; and
the performing the first evaluation comprises comparing the destination IP addresses against one or more lists of priority IP addresses.
11. The computerized method of claim 9 , wherein:
the plurality of data packets comprises downstream data traffic;
the reading the IP addresses comprises reading only source IP addresses of the plurality of data packets; and
the performing the first evaluation comprises comparing the source IP addresses against one or more lists of priority IP addresses.
12. The computerized method of claim 8 , further comprising extracting Internet Protocol (IP) headers from the plurality of data packets; and
wherein the obtaining the second parameters comprises obtaining differentiated services code point (DSCP) values from the IP headers.
13. The computerized method of claim 12 , wherein the IP headers comprise at least one IPv6 address associated with a high-priority data traffic network destination.
14. The computerized method of claim 8 , further comprising obtaining third parameters of the data packets, the third parameters comprising QFI (QoS Flow Identification) data, the QFI data utilized in assigning of at least of said first classification, second classification, or third classification.
15. A computerized apparatus configured for classifying packetized data traffic, the computerized apparatus comprising:
a digital processing apparatus;
one or more network interfaces in communication with the digital processing apparatus; and
a storage device in communication with the digital processing apparatus and having at least one computer program disposed thereon in the form of a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed on the digital processing apparatus, cause the computerized apparatus to:
receive a plurality of data packets;
determine whether the data packets comprise upstream or downstream data traffic;
based on a determination that the data packets comprise upstream data traffic, apply a first sorting algorithm; and
based on a determination that the data packets comprise downstream data traffic, apply a second sorting algorithm different from the first sorting algorithm.
16. The computerized apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the application of the first sorting algorithm and the application of the second sorting algorithm are each based at least on one or more differentiated services code point (DSCP) values obtained from the received plurality of data packets.
17. The computerized apparatus of claim 16 , wherein:
the plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed on the digital processing apparatus, cause the computerized apparatus to determine a plurality of priority levels associated with the one or more DSCP values, and performance of an evaluation of the plurality of priority levels; and
the application of the first sorting algorithm and the application of the second sorting algorithm are each further based on determination of respective priority levels associated with the received plurality of data packets.
18. The computerized apparatus of claim 15 , wherein:
the determination that the data packets comprise upstream data traffic comprises a determination of one or more destination network addresses detected within the received plurality of data packets; and
the determination that the data packets comprise downstream data traffic a determination of one or more source network addresses detected within the received plurality of data packets.
19. The computerized apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the first sorting algorithm comprises an assignment of at least a portion of the plurality of data packets into a low-latency data transmission queue and at least another portion of the plurality of data packets into a best-effort data transmission queue.
20. The computerized apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the second sorting algorithm comprises, subsequent to performance of the first sorting algorithm, an assignment of at least a portion of the plurality of data packets into another low-latency data transmission queue and at least another portion of the plurality of data packets into another best-effort data transmission queue.