IP-in-IP Encapsulation for High-Resolution Network Link Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network link testing methods are inefficient and have limited resolution, leading to uncertainty in error rate determination due to the time-consuming nature of sending thousands of data packets and the reliance on control plane transmissions, which restricts the detectable error rate.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing IP-in-IP encapsulated test packets that are transmitted over the data plane, allowing multiple nested data packets with alternating destinations to be bounced back and forth between network nodes, increasing the number of test instances and improving the resolution of error rate detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple sample data packets are transmitted to determine error rate, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror rate detection resolutionVSAvoidtesting duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds multiple nested data packets within a single outer data packet. Each nested packet contains test information that will be extracted and processed by the destination node. This nesting structure allows thousands of test instances to be transmitted in a single packet, dramatically reducing testing time while maintaining high measurement precision for error rate detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If data packets are transmitted over control plane, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting capacityVSAvoiddata plane configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the data plane serve dual purposes: it handles both regular network traffic and link quality testing. By embedding test packets within normal data plane traffic flows, the system eliminates the need for separate control plane testing mechanisms, thereby increasing testing capacity without requiring additional dedicated testing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If thousands of sample packets are sent to achieve acceptable error rate resolution, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror rate resolutionVSAvoidtesting completion time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual test packets into a single composite data packet containing numerous nested packets. This merging allows the system to perform thousands of test instances in parallel within one transmission, achieving high error rate resolution without the time penalty of sequential packet transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4260534B1Network link testing using IP-in-IP encapsulation

Publication Date: 2025.09.03 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

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AI summary

Increasing a resolution of an error rate detectable on a link between two network nodes includes transmitting an IP-in-IP encapsulated test packet back and forth between the two network nodes. The test packet includes a series of nested data packets having alternating destinations between the two network nodes. The test packet is transmitted on the data plane of the network, thereby increasing the resolution of the detectable error rate.