Cluster Packet Trace Aggregation via Node Filtering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-nodal clusters, there is no single node with a comprehensive view of network traffic flows, making it difficult to generate and consolidate packet traces for debugging and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for capturing and consolidating packet traces across multiple nodes in a cluster, where each node processes network packets and writes trace messages to a trace buffer, and a trace aggregator collects and filters these messages to create an aggregated log, including source information and synchronized timestamps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If packet tracing is enabled at each node independently, then each node can generate local trace files for debugging, but no single node has a comprehensive view of the network flow across the cluster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges trace files from multiple distributed nodes into a single consolidated trace file. Each node generates local traces independently, then the system combines these separate trace files into one unified view that shows the complete network flow path across the cluster, resolving the information loss problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (trace consolidation system/aggregator) that collects trace files from multiple nodes and combines them. This intermediary acts as a mediator between the distributed trace generation at individual nodes and the need for comprehensive flow visibility, without requiring changes to the packet processing function at each node.
2Loss of information
If trace files are collected from all nodes, then comprehensive tracing is achieved, but the amount of data to be processed and consolidated increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary filtering at each node before trace data is consolidated. The filtering component identifies and removes redundant or irrelevant trace entries locally at each node, so that only necessary trace information is transmitted and consolidated, reducing the overall data volume while preserving complete packet trace information.
3Quantity of substance
If filtering is applied at each node, then the amount of trace data is reduced, but the complexity of the trace aggregation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the trace processing function into two independent parts: filtering at each individual node and aggregation at the consolidated system. This segmentation allows filtering to be implemented as a simple local operation at each node, while the aggregation system handles the combination of filtered results, distributing complexity rather than concentrating it.
Data Source
AI summary
The present solution relates to systems and methods for capturing and consolidating packet tracing in a cluster system. A multi-nodal cluster processing network traffic contains multiple nodes each handling some of the processing. A node may initially receive a flow and transfer processing of the flow to another node for processing. A flow may therefore pass from one node to another, from two nodes to many nodes. In some instances, it is helpful to generate a trace of a flow. For example, in debugging a network communication flow, a trace of the flow through the cluster can be helpful. Each node has a packet engine (“PE”) which processes data packets and can, when trace is enabled, generate a trace file for the packets processed at the respective node. A trace aggregator merges these distinct trace files into an aggregate trace for the cluster.