Latency Verification via Dual-Path Test Packet Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques lack a mechanism for subscribers and service providers to verify the performance improvements of optimized services, such as Low Latency DOCSIS, making it difficult to assess the actual benefits of latency and jitter reductions.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device and method for verifying performance improvements by transmitting test packets on both standard and optimized paths, performing measurements, and displaying results to enable comparison, using a graphical user interface for configuration and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If optimized service flow with LLD queue is implemented, then latency is reduced, but measurement and verification capability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
A test server is introduced as an intermediary component between the cable modem and the external network. This test server receives test packets from the cable modem via both standard and optimized paths, performs timing measurements, and returns results. The intermediary enables precise measurement of latency differences without disrupting normal service operations, resolving the contradiction between achieving low latency and maintaining measurement capability.
2Reliability
If separate standard path and optimized path are created, then performance differentiation is achieved, but complexity of verification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The testing functionality is merged into a unified system where the cable modem, test server, and graphical user interface work together as an integrated verification platform. The test server consolidates the measurement logic for both standard and optimized paths, while the GUI provides a single interface for configuring and analyzing tests. This merging reduces operational complexity despite the presence of multiple service paths.
3Measurement precision
If test packets are transmitted on both paths, then comparison capability is enabled, but network traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system uses partial action by transmitting test packets only when verification is needed, rather than continuously monitoring all traffic. The cable modem and test server are configured to send test packets on demand based on user-initiated tests or periodic scheduling. This approach enables performance comparison capability while minimizing the additional network traffic generated by testing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus and method for enabling verification of performance improvements of an optimized service provided by a service provider receives a request to perform testing operations with respect to the optimized service, wherein the request includes one or more parameters for configuring the testing operations, transmits test packets to a test server on a standard path and on an optimized path, receives the test packets from the test server via the standard path and the optimized path, performs measurements related to timing of the test packets on the standard path and the test packets on the optimized path, respectively, processes the respective measurements related to timing to generate results of the testing operations, and outputs the results of the testing operations for display.