Artificial Packet Injection for Accurate Network Performance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring packet loss, one-way delay, and jitter in packet-switched communication networks require precise insertion of OAM packets, which is limited by SW/HW resources, and may not be implementable at every network element, affecting measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method using artificial packets generated and injected by a network manager, aggregated with data packets at a node, and measured at multiple points to provide accurate performance metrics without requiring precise insertion or marking of data packets, accommodating limited resources and varying network capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If OAM packets are precisely inserted into predefined positions of the packet flow, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to limited SW/HW resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses artificial packets as simplified copies of actual data packets for measurement purposes. These artificial packets contain only the necessary measurement information (timestamps, sequence numbers) without requiring complex OAM packet insertion mechanisms. The measurement system processes these lightweight copies instead of manipulating the full packet flow with precise insertion requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the data packet flow by injecting separate artificial packets dedicated solely to measurement. This separates the measurement task from the data transmission task, allowing measurements to be performed without interfering with or requiring precise insertion into the actual data packet stream, thereby reducing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If OAM packets are precisely inserted at predefined positions, then measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to resource limitations
Solution Approach 1:
Artificial packets serve as operational copies for measurement, eliminating the need for complex precise insertion operations. The system simply injects these measurement packets into the flow without requiring synchronization with data packet positions, making the operation much simpler while maintaining adequate measurement accuracy through the copied measurement methodology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the packet flow into data packets and separate artificial measurement packets. This segmentation allows the measurement function to operate independently without requiring precise coordination with the data packet stream, simplifying the operational requirements while maintaining measurement capability.
3Measurement precision
If data packets are marked to divide packet flow into blocks, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to marking functionality requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of marking data packets, the patent creates artificial copies that inherently contain the block structure information through their sequence numbers and timestamps. These artificial packets represent the packet flow blocks without requiring modification or marking of the actual data packets, reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial packets act as intermediaries that carry measurement information without requiring direct interaction with or modification of the data packets. The marking functionality is replaced by the artificial packets themselves serving as the measurement carriers, eliminating the need for packet marking capabilities in network elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performance measurement in packet switched communication networks. The method includes generating a flow of artificial packets, which is then aggregated to the packet flow to be measured by an aggregator. The artificial packets are configured to follow the packet flow to be measured, starting from the point where aggregation is performed. Two measurement points are then provided after the aggregator, which provide respective raw performance measurements indicative of actual positions of the artificial packets in the aggregated packet flow. The raw performance measurements are then used for providing the performance measurements. Since all the raw performance measurements are generated after the aggregator, the measurement results are accurate without need to precisely insert the artificial packets at predetermined positions of the packet flow to be measured.