Buffer Analytics Logic for Network Traffic Latency Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network monitoring solutions, such as port mirroring (SPAN), do not provide visibility into buffer occupancy in network devices, which is crucial for diagnosing network issues and optimizing performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of buffer analytics logic in network devices to capture and generate analytics packets that summarize buffer occupancy information, allowing for the monitoring and replay of buffer occupancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If port mirroring (SPAN) is used for network monitoring, then network traffic can be monitored, but buffer occupancy visibility is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuffer occupancy visibilityVSAvoidmonitoring solution complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts buffer occupancy information from the network device's internal buffer operations and presents it as a separate analytics data stream. The buffer analytics logic captures enqueue/dequeue events and generates analytics packets that contain only the necessary buffer occupancy information, separating this from the full network traffic monitoring function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a buffer analytics logic as an intermediary component between the network device buffer operations and the monitoring system. This intermediary captures internal buffer events (enqueue/dequeue) and translates them into standardized analytics packets, providing buffer occupancy visibility without requiring direct access to buffer internals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If complete packet capture is performed for buffer monitoring, then full visibility is achieved, but bandwidth requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuffer occupancy information completenessVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential buffer occupancy information (enqueue/dequeue events, timestamps, packet counts) from the complete packet data and transmits only this summarized analytics information. This extraction approach maintains complete buffer occupancy visibility while dramatically reducing the bandwidth required compared to capturing every packet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by capturing and transmitting only the necessary buffer event information rather than all packet data. The buffer analytics logic selectively monitors enqueue and dequeue operations, ignoring irrelevant packet payload data, thus achieving sufficient visibility with minimal bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUSRE50298E1Exporting real time network traffic latency and buffer occupancy

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Techniques are presented herein to facilitate the monitoring of occupancy of a buffer in a network device. Packets are received at a network device. Information is captured describing occupancy of the buffer caused by packet flow through the buffer in the network device. Analytics packets are generated containing the information. The analytics packets from the network device for retrieval of the information contained therein for analysis, replay of buffer occupancy, etc.