Accelerated Traceroute Using Varying TTL and Unique Headers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current traceroute methods are limited by their slow speed, requiring serial processing and resulting in exponentially longer times as the number of hops increases.
Innovation Solution
An accelerated traceroute method that asynchronously sends packets to multiple nodes with varying TTL parameters and unique headers, allowing for simultaneous processing and reducing the overall time required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If serial processing is used for traceroute, then packet processing is simple, but the time required increases exponentially with the number of hops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traceroute process into multiple independent packet sends with different TTL values. Each packet is sent independently to traverse different hops simultaneously, segmenting the serial processing into parallel operations that can execute concurrently across multiple network hops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and assigning unique header lengths to packets based on their intended TTL values before sending. This preparation allows the packets to be processed in parallel without requiring complex coordination during transmission, as each packet's header length is predetermined to match its TTL.
2Loss of time
If multiple packets with varying TTL are sent simultaneously, then traceroute time is reduced, but packet processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific header lengths to specific packets based on their TTL requirements. Each packet receives a customized header length that matches its TTL value, allowing for localized optimization of packet structure without affecting other packets. This approach simplifies processing by making each packet's structure predictable and tailored to its specific hop count.
3Measurement precision
If unique header lengths are assigned to packets, then packet identification is improved, but header processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of header length to create unique identifiers for packets. By varying the header length based on TTL values, the system creates a simple yet effective differentiation mechanism. This parameter change allows for easy packet identification and routing without requiring complex header structures or additional identification fields.
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology provides solutions for identifying a route that a packet traverses. An example method includes sending, from a head-end, a packet towards a reserved port at a tail-end, the packet having a header and a time-to-live (TTL) parameter, receiving, at the head-end, an error packet identifying a hop limit, sending, from the head-end towards the tail-end, a set of packets to be traced, receiving, at the head-end, corresponding error packets identifying a number of hops to reach a corresponding node based on the varying TTL parameters, and generating, based on the corresponding error packets and the corresponding headers, the route from the head-end to the tail-end. Systems and computer-readable media are also provided.