Test Packet Selective Processing Using Magic TTL Values
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network equipment performance testing, processing all incoming test packets is computationally burdensome, leading to reduced bandwidth and increased costs, especially when decrypting stateless traffic.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a 'magic' TTL value in packet headers to selectively identify and process only specific test packets, allowing for selective decryption and processing, thereby reducing unnecessary computational load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the test system processes all incoming test packets (e.g., decrypts each packet), then complete test packet analysis is achieved, but processing resources are excessively consumed and bandwidth capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet processing task by dividing incoming packets into two categories: those with magic TTL values requiring full processing (decryption, analysis) and those with normal TTL values requiring only header inspection. This segmentation allows the system to process only the necessary subset of packets fully, resolving the contradiction between analysis completeness and bandwidth capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing full packet processing (decryption and detailed analysis) only on packets with magic TTL values, while performing minimal processing (TTL field inspection only) on packets with normal TTL values. This selective partial processing maintains measurement precision for relevant packets while preserving overall system productivity and bandwidth capability.
2Reliability
If the test system is configured to decrypt every received test packet, then full packet inspection capability is maintained, but computational burden increases and hardware costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments packet handling into two paths: a fast path for packets with normal TTL values (simple header inspection) and a slow path for packets with magic TTL values (full decryption and inspection). This segmentation maintains reliable inspection capability for packets that require it while avoiding unnecessary processing overhead, thereby reducing hardware complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the TTL value inspection from the full packet processing workflow and performs it independently as a filtering step. By extracting this preliminary check, the system removes the computational burden of decryption from the majority of packets, maintaining inspection reliability for relevant packets while significantly reducing overall device complexity and hardware requirements.
3Loss of information
If the test system performs global decryption on all packets, then all test data is accessible, but processing time increases and system performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by inspecting the TTL field of incoming packets before attempting decryption. This preliminary check identifies packets with magic TTL values that require full processing, allowing the system to prepare and execute decryption only when necessary. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring test data accessibility for relevant packets while minimizing processing time through avoided unnecessary decryption operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by performing full packet decryption and analysis only on packets with magic TTL values, while performing only TTL field inspection on packets with normal TTL values. This selective approach ensures that test data accessibility is maintained for packets requiring detailed analysis while significantly reducing average processing time across the entire packet stream.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for selectively processing packets using time to live (TTL) information are disclosed. A method for selectively processing packets using TTL information includes receiving, at a test system, a test packet from a device under test (DUT), wherein the test packet includes a TTL parameter field containing a TTL value. The method further includes determining if the TTL value in the test packet is a magic TTL value and performing a processing task on the test packet if the test packet includes the magic TTL value.