End-to-End Internet Application Performance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for characterizing Internet application performance are incomplete, as they often only measure partial paths and fail to accurately translate application-specific metrics into user experience, leading to confusion among consumers regarding their Internet service provider's performance.
Innovation Solution
A method to measure end-to-end Internet application performance by identifying requests, determining request times, ISP identities, data quantities, and elapsed times, calculating transfer rates, and categorizing ISPs based on these metrics to assess their ability to sustain streaming of media items, providing users with a clear understanding of expected performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If partial path measurement methods are used to characterize ISP performance, then measurement complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates because the metrics are not fully representative of the application experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the end-to-end application path into multiple measurable components (DNS resolution, TCP connection, TLS handshake, content download) and measures each segment separately. This allows comprehensive end-to-end measurement without overwhelming complexity, as each segment can be measured and analyzed independently while contributing to the overall application performance assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces measurement agents or probes as intermediaries that are deployed at various points along the application path (client-side, server-side, network intermediaries). These intermediaries collect and report measurement data without requiring direct modification of the application itself, thus maintaining measurement precision while managing complexity through standardized intermediary components.
2Measurement precision
If application-specific characteristics are measured to assess application performance, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates because the metrics are difficult to replicate and translate to user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms complex application-specific performance parameters into standardized, user-friendly metrics. By changing the parameter representation from raw technical measurements (DNS resolution time, TCP handshake duration) to composite performance indicators (application start time, content ready time), the system maintains measurement precision while improving ease of operation and user experience translation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal measurement framework that can assess multiple application types (web browsing, video streaming, file downloads) using a common set of metrics and methodologies. This multi-functional approach allows precise application-specific measurement while enabling easy replication and comparison across different applications through standardized reporting formats and user-facing presentations.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive end-to-end measurement is implemented, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases due to the need to track multiple requests and calculate multiple metrics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested measurement architecture where measurement agents are embedded within application layers, which are themselves nested within the network infrastructure. This nested structure allows comprehensive end-to-end measurement to be achieved through layered instrumentation, where each layer contributes specific measurements without requiring the entire system to be overly complex. The nesting enables modular implementation and management.
Data Source
AI summary
Technology for characterizing internet application performance is described. An example method may involve, analyzing client requests from a plurality of internet service providers, the client requests comprising requests to access media items and being associated with internet service provider identities; identifying a set of the client requests that are associated with a first internet service provider; determining for at least one client request of the set: a request time, a payload data quantity, and an elapsed time; calculating a transfer rate comprising an application level throughput for the at least one client request, the transfer rate being based on the payload data quantity and the elapsed time; and calculating a performance measurement of the first and second internet service providers, the performance measurements being based on the transfer rate and on a portion of the set of client requests that have a transfer rate meeting a transfer threshold.