Cluster Load Balancer Probe Identification for Network Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Real-time monitoring of network performance in modern computer networks is challenging due to high data volumes and complex architectures, particularly with the separation of control plane and user plane packets, which can lead to under- or over-utilization of network probes, reducing their ability to monitor session performance and quality effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a packet flow switch that communicates with multiple network probes and clusters of computing devices, which generate and insert probe identifications into data packets, allowing the packet flow switch to balance the distribution of packets across network probes, improving their processing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network probes monitor all network traffic in high-data-volume environments, then monitoring coverage is improved, but probe utilization becomes unbalanced with under- or over-utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic into control plane packets and user plane packets, routing them through different links. Network probes are selectively applied to monitor specific packet types or traffic flows, preventing probes from being overwhelmed by all traffic while ensuring adequate monitoring coverage for critical sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different monitoring strategies to different network sessions based on their characteristics. Critical sessions receive enhanced monitoring with multiple probes, while less critical sessions use standard monitoring. This local differentiation optimizes probe utilization by matching monitoring intensity to actual needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control plane and user plane packets use separate links, then network architecture flexibility is improved, but packet tracking for session monitoring becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary devices such as deep packet inspection (DPI) systems and session border controllers that track packets across separate control plane and user plane links. These intermediaries maintain session state information and correlate packets from different links, enabling end-to-end monitoring despite the separated architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested monitoring where multiple levels of inspection occur: first at the packet level for basic routing, then at the session level for performance monitoring, and finally at the application level for quality assessment. This nested approach handles the complexity of separate links by organizing monitoring tasks hierarchically.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cluster load balancer can be coupled to a network for monitoring network traffic. The cluster load balancer can include one or more computing devices. The one or more computing devices can be configured to receive a data packet, the data packet comprising a device identifier of a first device connected to a network for a communication session, wherein the data packet is a user plane data packet or a control plane data packet; generate a probe identification based on the device identifier of the first device in the data packet; add the probe identification to the data packet; and transmit the data packet with the probe identification to a second device in communication with a plurality of network probes. The second device can be configured to forward the data packet to a network probe of the plurality of network probes based on the probe identification in the data packet.