Centralized Network Probing for SD-WAN QoE Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WANs), the current methods for determining Quality of Experience (QoE) metrics through probe packets consume excessive bandwidth and resources, especially when measuring complex paths, due to redundant and duplicate probing across multiple links.
Innovation Solution
A centralized SDN controller constructs a network topology map, selects a single node to measure QoE metrics for each link, and extrapolates metrics for reverse directions and complex paths, reducing redundant probing and optimizing resource usage by distributing probing responsibilities uniformly across nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If each node device transmits multiple probe packets over every link connected to it, then QoE metrics can be measured for all links and complex paths, but bandwidth and network resources are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the probing functions of multiple node devices into a single centralized controller. The controller consolidates probing responsibilities, allowing one node to perform probing for multiple links instead of every node probing every link independently. This merging eliminates redundant probe packets while maintaining comprehensive QoE measurement coverage across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized controller performs multiple functions: it manages probing for individual links, measures QoE metrics for complex multi-link paths, and coordinates measurements across the entire network topology. This universal probing mechanism replaces the need for separate probing operations at each node, reducing overall bandwidth consumption while maintaining measurement capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If node devices send probe packets over complex paths consisting of multiple links, then QoE metrics for complex paths can be determined, but the amount of extraneous data transmitted increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized controller performs preliminary analysis of the network topology and identifies which nodes should perform probing for specific links and complex paths. By pre-planning the probing strategy based on topology information, the controller ensures that probe packets are sent only when necessary and only from the most appropriate nodes, avoiding redundant probing of complex paths while maintaining accurate QoE measurement.
3Measurement precision
If each node measures QoE metrics for every connected link, then comprehensive network performance data is obtained, but CPU usage, memory, and power consumption at each node increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the probing and metric measurement functions from individual node devices and relocates them to a centralized controller. This extraction removes the computational burden of probe packet generation, transmission, and analysis from distributed nodes, significantly reducing their CPU usage, memory consumption, and power requirements while maintaining comprehensive network performance monitoring capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, the disclosure describes techniques for measuring edge-based quality of experience (QoE) metrics. For instance, a network device may construct a topological representation of a network, including indications of nodes and links connecting the nodes within the network. For each of the links, the network device may select a node device of the two node devices connected by the respective link to measure one or more QoE metrics for the respective link, with the non-selected node device not measuring the QoE metrics. In response to selecting the selected node device, the network device may receive a set of one or more QoE metrics for the respective link for data flows flowing from the selected node device to the non-selected node device. The network device may store the QoE metrics and determine counter QoE metrics for data flows flowing from the non-selected node device to the selected node device.