Artificial Packet Lengths for Network Performance Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring packet loss, one-way delay, and jitter in packet-switched communication networks face inaccuracies due to unpredictable insertion of OAM packets and the inability to mark packets in all network elements, especially in encrypted tunnels or when content inspection is not possible.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates artificial packets with predefined lengths, aggregates them with the packet flow, and uses measurement points to identify these packets based on length, providing raw performance measurements without relying on packet content, thus overcoming the limitations of precise insertion and content inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If OAM packets are inserted at predefined positions in the packet flow, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to limited SW/HW resources for precise insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses artificial packets with predefined lengths that are simple to generate and insert without requiring complex SW/HW resources. These artificial packets are disposable markers that enable measurement without needing precise insertion timing or position tracking infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the identification parameter from temporal position (when OAM packets are inserted) to spatial characteristic (predefined packet length). This parameter change allows measurement without requiring precise insertion timing, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If packet marking is used to divide packet flow into blocks, then measurement accuracy is improved, but adaptability decreases because marking functionality is not implementable at every network element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement approach that works at any network element without requiring specific marking functionalities. By using artificial packets with predefined lengths that can be generated and identified universally, the solution adapts to any network element including those in encrypted tunnels or with limited capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the measurement functionality from packet content modification (marking) and replaces it with artificial packet insertion. This separation allows measurement without requiring marking capabilities at network elements, improving adaptability while maintaining accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If OAM packets are precisely inserted at predefined positions, then measurement accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases due to unpredictable delays in actual insertion positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by generating artificial packets with predefined lengths before insertion into the packet flow. This preliminary characterization of packet length allows identification and measurement without requiring precise timing of insertion, eliminating the time loss associated with unpredictable insertion delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performance measurement in packet switched communication networks includes generating a flow of artificial packets having predefined packets lengths, 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 identify the artificial packets based on their packet lengths and provide respective raw performance measurements indicative of the actual positions of the artificial packets in the aggregated packet flow. The raw performance measurements are then used for providing the performance measurements. Since the artificial packets are identified based on their packet lengths, no inspection of the packets' content is needed for identification purposes. The artificial packets may therefore be identified even if their content is uninspectable.