Latency Diagnostics Across CDN and ISP Network Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication networks using content distribution networks (CDNs), identifying the root causes of performance degradations for off-net users is complex due to the lack of comprehensive end-to-end and hop-by-hop information, making it difficult for telco CDNs to quickly localize issues and determine responsibility among multiple operators.
Innovation Solution
A latency analyzer component processes latency data in response to diagnostic triggers, determining whether latency is attributable to the communication network, CDN, or ISP, and identifies the responsible ISP, generating appropriate reports and notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If comprehensive end-to-end monitoring is implemented across multiple operators' networks, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of information increase due to the multiparty system architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary components including edge agents deployed at network edges, gateway agents at peering points, and a centralized latency analyzer that mediates between multiple operators' networks. These intermediaries collect and correlate latency data from different network segments without requiring direct access to all network equipment, thereby achieving comprehensive end-to-end measurement precision while managing the complexity of multiparty systems through structured intermediary layers
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive end-to-end monitoring is implemented across multiple operators' networks, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information occurs due to distributed architecture limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested information collection architecture where edge agents collect local latency data, gateway agents aggregate data from multiple edge agents and add peering point information, and the centralized latency analyzer combines all gateway data with operator network information. This nested structure ensures that each layer preserves and builds upon previous data, preventing information loss while achieving comprehensive end-to-end measurement precision across distributed networks
3Ease of operation
If manual investigation methods are used for performance degradations, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the latency analyzer automatically receives latency diagnostic triggers, collects relevant latency data from multiple sources, determines root causes through automated analysis, and generates diagnostic reports without manual intervention. This automation dramatically improves diagnostic productivity and response time while maintaining ease of operation through standardized automated processes that eliminate complex manual investigation steps
4Productivity
If automated latency analysis is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional monitoring components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the automated latency analysis system into distinct functional modules: edge agents for local data collection, gateway agents for aggregation and peering point monitoring, and a centralized latency analyzer for root cause determination. This segmentation allows each component to perform specialized functions with manageable complexity, while the coordinated operation of segmented modules achieves high diagnostic productivity through automated end-to-end latency analysis
Data Source
AI summary
The described technology is generally directed towards latency diagnostics for multiparty systems, such as a system comprising a communication network, a content delivery network (CDN), and one or more internet service providers (ISPs). A latency analyzer component can process latency data in response to a latency diagnostic trigger, such as an alert from a video quality monitoring system. The latency analyzer can determine whether latency is attributable to the communication network. If not, the latency analyzer can determine whether the latency is attributable to the CDN. If the latency is not attributable to the communication network or the CDN, the latency analyzer can determine that the latency is attributable to the ISP, and the latency analyzer can identify the ISP and generate appropriate reports and notifications.