Diagnostic Packet Identification via Layer 3 Bit Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network diagnostic systems face challenges in consistently evaluating and diagnosing the handling of application packets due to the complexity of network routing, as diagnostic packets often take different paths than application packets, making it difficult to reliably check the functionality of network links and destination applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and system where diagnostic packets are identified by specific bit patterns, allowing them to use the same networking paths as application packets, enabling the layer 3 handler to determine if the application can handle these packets and transmit response packets, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If diagnostic packets use different routing paths than application packets, then network diagnostic systems can independently evaluate network paths, but diagnostic packets cannot consistently evaluate the handling of application packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the routing paths of diagnostic packets and application packets by having both types of packets traverse the same network path from source to destination. This is achieved through the layer 3 handler examining bit patterns to identify diagnostic packets and routing them through the same path as application packets, enabling consistent evaluation of application packet handling while maintaining independent diagnostic capability
2Measurement precision
If diagnostic packets are routed through the same path as application packets, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but network device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the diagnostic packet identification and routing decision logic from the core network device by implementing a layer 3 handler that examines bit patterns in packet headers. This separation allows the main network device to remain simple while the handler provides sophisticated diagnostic routing capability by identifying diagnostic packets through bit pattern examination and routing them appropriately
Solution Approach 2:
The layer 3 handler acts as an intermediary between the network device and diagnostic packets. It examines bit patterns to identify diagnostic packets, determines whether applications can handle them, and routes them through the same path as application packets. This intermediary layer provides the needed diagnostic functionality without increasing the complexity of the core network device
3Loss of energy
If applications handle diagnostic packets directly, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but application complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes applications multi-functional by enabling them to handle both application packets and diagnostic packets through the same networking path. The layer 3 handler examines bit patterns to identify diagnostic packets and delivers them to applications that have indicated capability to handle such packets. This allows applications to process both types of traffic through a unified path, improving bandwidth efficiency while the layer 3 handler manages the complexity of packet classification and routing
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for handling packets includes receiving the packets at a layer 3 handler in a network device, determining whether the packets are diagnostic packets by examining bit patterns of the packets, determining whether an application in the network device can handle the diagnostic packets when the packets are the diagnostic packets, delivering the diagnostic packets to the application for handling when the application in the network device can handle the diagnostic packets, receiving response packets from the application, and transmitting the response packets. In some embodiments, the bit patterns include a reserved bit of an IP header that is set to one when the packets are the diagnostic packets. In some embodiments, application packets and the diagnostic packets include a same source IP address, a same destination IP address, a same source port, and a same destination port.