Asymmetric Routing Response Time Measurement via Flow Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring response times in network environments are inaccurate in asymmetric routing scenarios, as they often fail to capture both directions of packet flow, which are essential for precise delay calculations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves receiving flow records from multiple network devices on asymmetric paths, reconstructing network transactions, and deriving response times using correlation logic, specifically employing Flexible NetFlow technology to collect and correlate data from routers to accurately measure response times in asymmetric routing environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional passive measurement approaches are used, then measurements are based on real traffic which accurately describes end-user experience in some network arrangements, but response time measurements are inaccurate in asymmetric routing environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network transaction measurement into multiple flow records from different network devices along the asymmetric path. Each device contributes a portion of the transaction data, and these segmented records are then correlated to reconstruct the complete transaction timeline, enabling accurate response time measurement in asymmetric routing environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces correlation logic as an intermediary mechanism that receives flow records from multiple network devices and reconstructs the network transaction. This intermediary process correlates timestamps and packet information from different devices to calculate accurate response times, bridging the gap between asymmetric packet flows and meaningful performance metrics
2Measurement precision
If flow records are collected from multiple network devices on asymmetric paths, then accurate response time measurements are achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal correlation logic component that can process flow records from any network device regardless of its position in the asymmetric path. This multi-functional correlation engine handles timestamp normalization, packet matching, and response time calculation in a unified manner, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from device-specific measurement approaches
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) receiving flow records from a plurality of network devices on asymmetric paths; (ii) reconstructing a network transaction from the received flow records; and (iii) deriving response times using the reconstructed network transaction.