Logical Triangle Proximity Calculation for Passive Hosts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks lack a method to accurately determine logical distances between network-connected passive host devices in a Layer 2 Ethernet environment, leading to suboptimal service allocation and increased network latency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses native Layer 2 Ethernet MAC address resolution protocol to measure latency between controller hosts, allowing indirect calculation of proximity between passive hosts by constructing a logical triangle and applying trigonometric relationships to determine the logical distance between them, without requiring agents on each host.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If passive hosts operate unaware of their proximity in traditional L2 networks, then network operation simplicity is maintained, but service allocation optimality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation mechanism where active hosts or network infrastructure compute proximity information for passive hosts indirectly. This allows passive hosts to maintain operational simplicity while still enabling optimized service allocation through calculated proximity data derived from active host measurements and L2 latency analysis.
2Measurement precision
If direct proximity measurement methods are implemented on each passive host, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables active hosts to perform self-service proximity measurements and calculations. By having active hosts measure L2 latency to passive hosts and compute proximity information independently, the system achieves high measurement precision without requiring complex measurement infrastructure on passive hosts themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary calculation approach where proximity between passive hosts is derived indirectly through measurements taken by active hosts. This intermediary method achieves accurate proximity determination without requiring direct measurement capabilities or complex hardware on passive hosts.
3Measurement precision
If proximity calculation infrastructure is added to passive hosts, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service proximity calculations where active hosts independently perform measurements and computations. This eliminates the need for proximity calculation infrastructure on passive hosts, maintaining their operational simplicity while still achieving accurate proximity determination through active host efforts.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for calculating passive host proximity in an environment of network-connected hosts. At least three controller hosts send inquiries to target hosts in the environment, including at least two passive (non-controller) hosts. A time interval is recorded between each inquiry and an associated response, and the recorded time intervals are converted into logical distance measurements between the controller host and each target host. The logical distance measurements are then used to calculate a logical distance between the two passive hosts. A logical triangle is constructed between a first controller host (H1) and the two passive hosts (S1, S2) using a first logical distance side (H1S1) having a known value, a second logical distance side (H1S2) having a known value, and a third logical distance side (S1S2) having an unknown value. Trigonometric relationships solve for the unknown value of the third logical distance side.