Client LAN/WAN Link Condition Diagnosis via TCP Statistics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack direct, accurate, and reliable approaches for monitoring and diagnosing performance issues within client local area networks (LAN) or wide area networks (WAN), particularly in home networks, due to limited visibility and the shared bandwidth nature of wireless technologies like WiFi, which often results in network bottlenecks and performance degradations.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing TCP layer statistics from a single measurement point to estimate link conditions and capacities within client networks, without requiring link layer or physical layer measurements, and applicable across various networking technologies, including Ethernet, WiFi, and satellite networks, allowing for passive monitoring and diagnosis without the need for specialized hardware or customer input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If service providers use traditional monitoring methods based on traffic flowing through modems/routers, then they can monitor the broadband network, but they cannot directly monitor client network conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces TCP statistics as an intermediary mechanism that allows service providers to indirectly observe client network conditions through the modem/router without requiring direct access to client network devices. The TCP statistics collected from traffic flowing through the modem/router serve as a mediator that reveals link conditions within the client network, resolving the visibility issue while maintaining system simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If service providers deploy special hardware monitors for client networks, then they can obtain direct measurements, but the solution becomes costly and technology-specific
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses software-based TCP statistics collection that replicates the functionality of specialized hardware monitors without requiring physical deployment of additional devices. By copying the monitoring capability through software analysis of existing traffic statistics, the system achieves measurement precision comparable to specialized hardware while eliminating deployment costs and technology-specific constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The TCP statistics monitoring approach is technology-agnostic and can monitor various network types (WiFi, Ethernet, satellite) using the same mechanism. This universal approach eliminates the need for technology-specific hardware monitors, reducing deployment costs while maintaining measurement accuracy across different client network configurations.
3Productivity
If service providers rely on customer-initiated speed tests, then they can obtain some network performance data, but the monitoring is not continuous and reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous passive monitoring of TCP statistics that occurs automatically as traffic flows through the modem/router, without requiring periodic customer-initiated tests. This continuous collection of TCP window statistics, round-trip times, and packet loss data ensures reliable and ongoing visibility into client network conditions, eliminating the gaps and unreliability of sporadic speed tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system operates autonomously by automatically collecting and analyzing TCP statistics from existing traffic without requiring customer participation or initiation. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring its own traffic flow, eliminating the need for customers to manually run speed tests and ensuring continuous, reliable monitoring data.
4Illumination intensity
If WiFi routers are placed in optimal locations for coverage, then signal strength improves, but router locations in corners or basements result in poor SNR and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical measurement methods (such as hardware monitors positioned at specific locations) with TCP statistics-based assessment that works independently of physical router placement. By substituting the mechanical approach of physical monitoring with protocol-layer statistics analysis, the system achieves accurate network condition assessment regardless of router location, signal strength, or SNR conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Approaches for determining link conditions within a client network are provided. Network protocol statistics are recorded for network connections over the client network, wherein each connection provides data communications between a client terminal node and a different respective client device, and the client terminal node provides access to a broadband communications network for each of the different respective client device(s). Connection metrics are determined for each of the network connections, wherein each connection metric is determined based on the network protocol statistics associated with the respective network connection. Diagnoses of network conditions regarding connections over the client network that are of interest, wherein each diagnosis is performed based on an analysis of a respective set of the connection metrics for the respective network connection. Results of each diagnosis are provided to a system operator.