Extensible Framework for Unified Active Network Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network measurement tools require multiple separate tools for different functionalities, leading to inefficiencies in code portability, maintenance, and implementation due to reimplemented basic procedures, and burden network operators with complex interfaces and duplicative update procedures.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for distributed active network measurement using an extensible computing framework that generates and analyzes probe streams to estimate network properties, providing a unified interface for performing and debugging active network measurements, and dynamically configuring and extending measurement capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate network measurement tools are used for different functionalities (capacity measurement, delay measurement, bandwidth measurement), then measurement coverage and functionality are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to numerous tools requiring separate interfaces and procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement functionalityVSAvoidnumber of tools

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate network measurement tools into a single unified tool that can perform capacity measurement, delay measurement, bandwidth measurement, and other network measurements through a single interface, thereby reducing the number of tools while maintaining comprehensive measurement functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified network measurement tool is designed with multi-functionality to perform various types of network measurements (capacity, delay, bandwidth, etc.) through a single tool, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools and simplifying the measurement process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate network measurement tools are implemented with full functionality, then measurement capabilities are improved, but code maintenance efficiency and implementation efficiency deteriorate due to reimplemented basic procedures in each tool

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement capabilitiesVSAvoidcode maintenance efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates the basic functional procedures (packet scheduling, timestamping, receiving) into a shared library that can be reused by all measurement functionalities, eliminating redundant code implementation while maintaining full measurement capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared library provides universal basic functionality that supports all network measurement types (capacity, delay, bandwidth measurements), allowing a single codebase to serve multiple measurement purposes and improving code maintenance efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If each network measurement tool is updated separately to maintain full functionality, then measurement features are preserved, but update efficiency and time consumption deteriorate due to duplicative update procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeature completenessVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the update process into a single operation that updates the shared library, which automatically reflects in all measurement functionalities simultaneously, eliminating duplicative update procedures while maintaining feature completeness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Speed

If network measurement tools are tied to specific computing platforms or operating systems to ensure native performance, then execution efficiency is improved, but code portability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexecution efficiencyVSAvoidcode portability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shared library is designed with universal interfaces and platform-agnostic code structures that allow the same codebase to execute efficiently across multiple computing platforms and operating systems, achieving both execution efficiency and code portability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8713138B1Extensible framework for client-based active network measurement

Publication Date: 2014.04.29 T MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method, system, medium and a lightweight computing framework are provided for active network measurements. A communication network having links that connect a collection of client devices that utilize the computing framework to generate probe streams, receive network data associated with one or more network measurements, and to analyze the network data. The probe streams are generated based on a configuration file. The configuration file implements one or more network measurements and is defined in a scripting language. Additionally, the probe streams collect network data, and the computing framework utilizes the network data to determine link properties along one or more communication paths and to generate additional probe streams when specified conditions are satisfied.