Context-Driven Packet Capture for SDN Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional packet capture tools are resource-intensive and insufficient for quickly identifying and resolving issues in logical networks, particularly due to the distributed nature of software-defined networks, which makes it difficult to determine where to implement packet capture for problem diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A context-based packet scanning method that involves receiving packets from virtual machines, determining if a network flow exists in a context data structure, tagging packets with context information, and comparing this information to packet capture policies to record relevant packet contents, thereby enabling targeted analysis and logging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional packet capture tools are used to capture all packets in the network, then complete network traffic analysis is achieved, but resource consumption becomes excessive and feasibility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary packet information by implementing selective packet capture based on context data structures that store network flow metadata. Instead of capturing all packets, the system extracts and captures only packets associated with specific flows of interest, thereby reducing resource consumption while maintaining analysis completeness for relevant traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating packet capture requirements based on specific network flow characteristics. The context data structure enables the system to apply selective capture criteria to different packet flows, capturing detailed information for flows matching capture policies while using minimal resources for other flows.
2Loss of information
If packet capture is implemented without context filtering, then all network traffic can be analyzed, but the distributed nature of logical networks makes it difficult to identify where to implement capture for specific problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing context data structures that store network flow information before packet capture is needed. This allows the system to quickly determine which packets should be captured when problems occur, eliminating the need to analyze all traffic and simplifying the implementation of targeted capture in distributed logical networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The context data structure serves as an intermediary between network flow identification and packet capture execution. It mediates by storing flow metadata and enabling quick lookup to determine capture requirements, thereby simplifying the complexity of implementing targeted packet capture in distributed environments.
3Use of energy by moving object
If IP address filtering is used to reduce captured packets, then resource consumption is reduced, but the distributed nature of logical networks still makes it insufficient for identifying specific application or device problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the filtering parameters from simple IP addresses to comprehensive network flow characteristics stored in context data structures. This includes capturing flow metadata such as source/destination ports, protocols, and contextual information, enabling precise identification of application-level problems while maintaining resource efficiency through targeted capture based on multiple parameters rather than single IP filtering.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system provides a method for context-based packet scanning in a computing environment. The method includes the steps of receiving a packet from a virtual machine, determining if a network flow associated with the packet exists in a context data structure, and upon determining that a context entry associated with the network flow exists in the context data structure, tagging the packet with context information included in the context entry, comparing the context information and network flow information to context and network flow criteria in one or more packet capture policies, and recording contents of the packet when the context information and network flow information match one of the one or more packet capture policies.