Method and Apparatus for Predicting Characteristics of Incoming Data Packets to Enable Speculative Processing to Reduce Processor Latency

Abstract

A system for processing data packets in a data packet network has at least one input port for receiving data packets, at least one output port for sending out data packets, a processor for processing packet data, and a packet predictor for predicting a future packet based on a received packet, such that at least some processing for the predicted packet may be accomplished before the predicted packet actually arrives at the system. The system is used in preferred embodiments in Internet routers.

1 . A system for processing data packets in a data packet network comprising: at least one input port for receiving data packets; at least one output port for sending out data packets; a processor for processing packet data; and a packet predictor for predicting a future packet based on a received packet, such that at least some processing for the predicted packet may be accomplished before the predicted packet actually arrives at the system. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the data packet network is the Internet network. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the packet predictor mechanism utilizes a history record periodically updated by the system, to generate predicted data. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the history record comprises characteristics of recently received data packets. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the history record further comprises results of past predictions. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein packet prediction comprises predicting specific characteristics, comprising one or more of packet type, packet flow identification, sender information, destination information, and packet size. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  comprising a packet router. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  comprising a data server. 
     
     
         9 . A packet predictor for enhancing a data packet processor, comprising: an input for receiving information about a first packet received for processing; a predictor for predicting characteristics of a packet to arrive at a later time, based upon the information received about the first packet; and an output for providing the predicted characteristics to the processor for processing ahead of arrival of a real packet fulfilling the prediction. 
     
     
         10 . The packet predictor of  claim 9  wherein the data packet processor comprises a data router operating on the Internet network. 
     
     
         11 . The packet predictor of  claim 7  comprising a history record consulted each time a prediction is made. 
     
     
         12 . The packet predictor of  claim 11  wherein the history record comprises history of real packets received and processed. 
     
     
         13 . The packet predictor of  claim 11  wherein the history record comprises history of predictions and result of the predictions. 
     
     
         14 . The packet predictor of  claim 9  wherein the history record is stored in a memory accessible to the mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The packet predictor of  claim 9  wherein packet prediction comprises predicting specific characteristics, comprising one or more of pack et type, packet flow identification, sender information, destination information, and packet size. 
     
     
         16 . The packet predictor of  claim 7  wherein the data packet processor comprises a data server. 
     
     
         17 . A method for reducing latency in packet processing for a packet processor, comprising the steps of: (a) speculatively predicting characteristics of packets yet to arrive for processing, based on packets actually received for processing; and (b) accomplishing speculative processing on the predicted characteristics. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the packet processor is coupled with a data packet network. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the data packet network is the Internet network. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  comprising a step for maintaining a history of either or both of packets actually received and results of prior predictions.