Memory Buffer Leak Detection in Network Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network devices experience memory buffer exhaustion due to leaks caused by programming errors, leading to inability to handle or forward packets and obstructing network traffic flow.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for detecting memory buffer leaks by identifying allocated memory buffers, analyzing their characteristics, such as timestamps, and determining leaks based on time thresholds, with actions to remedy leaks like freeing buffers and notifying administrators or policy engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the operating system allocates memory buffers to packets handled by the network device, then the network device can handle and forward packets, but programming errors may cause memory buffers to leak and eventually lead to memory buffer exhaustion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by allocating memory buffers to packets before processing, and implements a detection mechanism that monitors buffer characteristics (such as timestamps) to identify leaks before they cause exhaustion. This allows the system to proactively remedy leaks by freeing buffers while packets are still being handled, preventing the contradiction from manifesting as actual failure.
2Productivity
If memory buffers are allocated to packets, then network traffic can be forwarded, but programming errors cause buffers to be retained indefinitely, leading to memory buffer exhaustion
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the detection module continuously monitors memory buffer characteristics (such as timestamps indicating allocation time) and compares them against expected values. When a buffer is identified as leaked (retained indefinitely beyond its useful life), the system provides feedback to the remedy module, which then frees the buffer. This closed-loop feedback prevents the accumulation of leaked buffers and avoids exhaustion, allowing continuous network traffic flow.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the network device continues to operate with leaking memory buffers, then network traffic can be handled, but eventually no memory buffers are available for allocation to incoming packets
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through an automated detection and remedy mechanism that operates independently without external intervention. The detection module autonomously identifies leaked memory buffers by analyzing their characteristics, and the remedy module automatically frees these buffers. This self-service capability ensures continuous operation by constantly replenishing the pool of available memory buffers, preventing the device from becoming unusable due to exhaustion.
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed method may include (1) identifying a memory buffer that is allocated to a packet on a computing device, (2) identifying one or more characteristics of the memory buffer allocated to the packet on the computing device, (3) determining, based at least in part on the characteristics of the memory buffer, that the memory buffer allocated to the packet has leaked, and then in response to determining that the memory buffer has leaked, (4) performing at least one action to remedy the leak of the memory buffer. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.