Client-Side Network Capacity Estimation Without Server Instrumentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for measuring network capacity and bandwidth between a client and a server in cloud computing environments require server instrumentation, which is often not feasible, especially in cloud services where cooperation from the server is not allowed, and they can disrupt application performance or block application-layer traffic.
Innovation Solution
A network measurements agent on the client side performs measurements using TCP packets without requiring server instrumentation, allowing for estimation of network capacity and bandwidth by analyzing packet loss, delay, jitter, and available bandwidth using techniques like TCP Selective Acknowledgments (SACK) and probing with MTU-sized packets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If server instrumentation is used to measure network capacity and bandwidth, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to required server cooperation and potential disruption to application performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement functionality from the server side and relocates it entirely to the client side. The client executes measurement probes and analyzes responses to determine network capacity and bandwidth without requiring any instrumentation or modification on the server. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating server instrumentation complexity while maintaining measurement capability through client-only execution of measurement protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The client performs self-measurement by sending probes and analyzing the responses it receives. The measurement system serves itself without external assistance from the server, using only the server's standard response behavior (ACK packets, TCP handshake responses) to derive network metrics. This eliminates the need for server cooperation or instrumentation while enabling accurate measurement.
2Measurement precision
If server instrumentation is deployed to enable network measurements, then measurement capability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to inability to deploy in cloud services without server cooperation
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement functionality is extracted from the server environment entirely and implemented solely on the client side. This extraction enables deployment in cloud services and other environments where server instrumentation is prohibited, as the solution requires no server-side changes, permissions, or cooperation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the server provide measurement capabilities through instrumentation, the patent inverts the approach by having the client perform all measurements using only information available in standard server responses. This inversion makes the solution compatible with cloud services and environments where the server cannot be modified.
3Measurement precision
If traditional measurement techniques are used with server instrumentation, then network properties can be measured, but productivity deteriorates due to disruption of application performance and blocking of application-layer traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses standard TCP protocol elements (ACK packets, sequence numbers, timestamps) as intermediaries to carry measurement information. These existing protocol elements serve dual purposes: maintaining normal application communication while simultaneously enabling network measurement. This intermediary approach avoids disrupting application performance while accurately measuring network properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement solution uses multi-functional TCP packets that simultaneously serve application data transmission and network measurement purposes. Standard TCP ACK packets and handshake responses are used for both their original communication function and as carriers for measurement information, eliminating the need for separate measurement traffic that would disrupt application performance.
4Ease of operation
If client-side measurement without server instrumentation is implemented, then ease of operation is improved by enabling deployment without server cooperation, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to limited information available at client side
Solution Approach 1:
The client uses feedback from server responses (ACK packets, sequence number acknowledgments, timestamps) to iteratively refine network capacity and bandwidth estimates. By analyzing the timing and content of these feedback packets, the client can accurately determine network metrics without requiring additional information from the server, resolving the precision concern through intelligent analysis of available feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary measurements using standard TCP handshakes and initial packet exchanges before application traffic begins. These preliminary actions establish baseline network capacity measurements using only the information available in standard protocol exchanges, enabling accurate measurement without requiring server instrumentation or additional protocol extensions.
Data Source
AI summary
Accordingly, techniques for estimating network capacity of a path between two endpoints in a network without server instrumentation are disclosed. Techniques for estimating network bandwidth of a path between two endpoints in a network without server instrumentation are also disclosed. For example, techniques disclosed herein can be used for network capacity planning. As another example, techniques disclosed herein can be used for network availability troubleshooting (e.g., network degradation performance issues).