Geolocation Routing and Network Condition Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and simulating network conditions across geographically diverse locations for large-scale computing systems is complex, requiring effective geolocation routing and network condition simulation to replicate customer experiences for service technicians.
Innovation Solution
A network simulation system that uses tunneling and traffic shaping to simulate network conditions by selecting endpoint servers based on geographical location and modifying traffic characteristics such as latency, bandwidth, and packet loss, allowing technicians to replicate customer experiences across various locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If geolocation routing and network condition simulation are implemented across multiple geographical locations, then the ability to replicate customer experiences is improved, but the device complexity and system management burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of customer network environments by establishing endpoint servers in multiple geographical locations that replicate actual customer network conditions. These endpoint servers copy the network characteristics, latency, bandwidth, and other parameters of real customer networks, allowing service technicians to test and simulate customer experiences without directly accessing actual customer networks. This copying approach enables experience replication while keeping the system manageable through virtualization rather than direct physical replication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces endpoint servers as intermediary components between service technicians and actual customer networks. These endpoint servers act as mediators that receive test requests from service technicians, simulate the customer's network environment, and return test results. This intermediary layer allows technicians to indirectly replicate customer experiences through controlled simulations, reducing the complexity of direct customer network access while maintaining accurate experience replication.
2Measurement precision
If network traffic is routed through multiple geographical locations with simulated conditions, then testing accuracy is improved, but the time required for network operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes endpoint servers in advance at multiple geographical locations, pre-configured with simulated network conditions before testing begins. These endpoint servers are set up with predetermined latency, bandwidth, and other network parameters that match actual customer environments. By preparing these simulation environments beforehand, the system achieves accurate testing without the time penalty of setting up test environments during actual testing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous network traffic flow through the endpoint servers, allowing test packets to be continuously sent and received without interruption. The endpoint servers remain active and ready to receive test requests at any time, eliminating the need to repeatedly establish connections or reconfigure network paths. This continuous operation enables accurate multi-location testing while minimizing time losses associated with connection establishment and configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for geolocation routing and simulation of network conditions are disclosed. A network traffic profile is determined for a client device. A network access server selects an endpoint server based on the location of the selected endpoint server. The network access server routes traffic from the client device to an external server through the selected endpoint server. The network traffic from the client device to the external server appears to originate from a network address of the selected endpoint server. Network conditions for the network traffic are simulated based on the network traffic profile.