Profile based method for packet header compression in a point to point link

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, some of the problems associated with conventional transmission of packets on point to point links are overcome.
One aspect of the invention includes a method for compressing packet header information on a point to point link.
In addition, the method according to the present invention supports the multiplexing of packets from multiple sources onto a point to point link.
An embodiment of a method, according to the present invention, for compression of packet header information in a point to point link calls for establishing a point to point link between first and second network devices.
The method then involves negotiating a first profile between the first and second network devices for packet traffic from the first network device to the second network device through the point to point link, where the first profile has a first profile identifier and a first default packet header value for a first packet header field.
The method then calls for receiving a first packet in the first network device from a first endpoint coupled to the first network device, where the first packet is addressed to a second endpoint coupled to the second network device.
If a value of the first packet header field of the first packet matches the first default packet header value for the first packet header field in the first profile, then the method calls for removing the first packet header field from the first packet, and sending the first packet along with the first profile identifier from the first network device to the second network device through the point to point link.
The method then involves receiving the first packet along with the first profile identifier at the second network device and using the first profile identifier sent with the first packet to retrieve the first profile in the second network device.
Finally, the method sets forth inserting the first default packet header value from the first profile into the first packet header field of the first packet at the second network device