Edge Completion Ratio for Network Topology Probing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication network systems face challenges in efficiently estimating complete network topology using multi-path routing, as tracing all possible routes requires significant network resources and time, especially with load balancing deployments where multiple paths to a destination complicate the mapping process.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a tracerouting probe that continuously maps and traces paths until a predetermined topology completion threshold is reached, utilizing a self-evaluation method to estimate the network topology without operator interference, and employing a mark-release-recapture method to calculate the edge completion ratio for efficient resource management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complete tracing or mapping of all possible routes is performed, then network topology estimation accuracy is improved, but network resource consumption and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork topology estimation accuracyVSAvoidtracing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by performing tracerouting only until a predetermined topology completion threshold is reached, rather than tracing all possible routes. The system calculates an edge completion ratio and terminates the probing process when this ratio meets the threshold, achieving sufficient topology estimation accuracy without the time cost of complete mapping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously calculating the edge completion ratio during the tracerouting process and using this information to dynamically adjust and terminate the probing when the predetermined threshold is met. This self-evaluation mechanism allows the system to stop at the optimal point where sufficient accuracy is achieved without unnecessary additional resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If complete tracing or mapping of all possible routes is performed, then network topology estimation accuracy is improved, but network resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork topology estimation accuracyVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by performing tracerouting only until a predetermined topology completion threshold is reached, rather than tracing all possible routes. The system calculates an edge completion ratio and terminates the probing process when this ratio meets the threshold, achieving sufficient topology estimation accuracy without the resource cost of complete mapping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously calculating the edge completion ratio during the tracerouting process and using this information to dynamically adjust and terminate the probing when the predetermined threshold is met. This self-evaluation mechanism allows the system to stop at the optimal point where sufficient accuracy is achieved without unnecessary additional resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If multiple alternative paths are traced to achieve complete topology mapping, then topology completeness is improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetopology completenessVSAvoidprobing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by performing tracerouting only until a predetermined topology completion threshold is reached, rather than tracing all possible routes. The system calculates an edge completion ratio and terminates the probing process when this ratio meets the threshold, achieving sufficient topology estimation accuracy without the time cost of complete mapping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously calculating the edge completion ratio during the tracerouting process and using this information to dynamically adjust and terminate the probing when the predetermined threshold is met. This self-evaluation mechanism allows the system to stop at the optimal point where sufficient accuracy is achieved without unnecessary additional resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3293917B1Path probing using an edge completion ratio

Publication Date: 2020.11.25 SOLARWINDS WORLDWIDE LLC

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AI summary

Various embodiments pertain to communication network systems. In particular, various embodiments relate to multi-path probing in communication network systems that can be used to estimate the complete topology of the network. A method includes receiving data at a source node from a tracerouting probe in the network. The tracerouting probe detects edges. The method also includes calculating an edge completion ratio based on the edges. In addition, the method includes terminating the probe when the edge completion ratio is greater than or equal to a threshold.