Network Test Device Misdirected Packet Detection and Port Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network test devices face challenges in detecting and analyzing misdirected and lost packets during testing, as existing methods lack comprehensive information to determine the cause of packet misdirection or loss.
Innovation Solution
A network test device system that receives and stores expected receive port information for test packets, identifies misdirected packets by comparing packet group identifiers, and provides detailed information on the actual and expected receive ports, along with a drill-down function to capture and display misdirected and lost packet data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network test devices send test packets to device under test and monitor responses, then device functionality can be tested, but the devices lack comprehensive information to determine the cause of packet misdirection or loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by configuring expected receive port information before sending test packets. The system pre-establishes the relationship between test packets and their expected receive ports, storing this information in association with packet group identifiers. When packets are misdirected, this pre-configured information enables immediate identification and diagnosis without requiring additional probing or information gathering.
2Loss of information
If network test devices monitor all packet traffic, then comprehensive test data is collected, but the complexity of analyzing misdirected packets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by isolating and focusing only on misdirected packets for detailed analysis. Instead of analyzing all captured packets, the system extracts packets that were received at unexpected ports and performs targeted analysis on these specific packets using stored expected receive port information. This selective approach reduces analysis complexity while maintaining diagnostic completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by creating and maintaining a copy of expected receive port information in association with packet group identifiers. This copied information serves as a reference that enables rapid comparison and identification of misdirected packets without requiring re-analysis of the original configuration data, thereby simplifying the analysis process.
3Ease of operation
If network test devices provide detailed information on misdirected packets, then troubleshooting capability improves, but the time required to identify and analyze misdirected packets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by continuously comparing the actual receive port of incoming packets against the pre-configured expected receive port information. When a mismatch is detected, the system immediately provides feedback about the misdirection, including the expected port and actual port received. This real-time feedback mechanism enables rapid identification and troubleshooting without requiring manual analysis or additional time for information gathering.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for misdirected packet drill down and negative packet capture at a network test device are disclosed. One exemplary method includes, at a network test device, receiving and storing, in the network test device, expected receive port information regarding a plurality of test packets. The method further includes transmitting the test packets to a device under test. The method further includes receiving at least some of the test packets from the device under test. The method further includes using the expected receive port information and the received test packets to identify misdirected test packets. The method further includes, for each of the packets identified as misdirected, determining a port of the network test device at which the packet should have been received and outputting an indication of the port of the network test device at which the packet should have been received.