Monitor Computer Egress Port Identification via Speculative Keying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network management techniques fail to efficiently identify the egress port of a focus device in a computer network, especially in dynamic environments, and struggle with predicting the path of message flow due to complex routing strategies and high overhead in data gathering.
Innovation Solution
A method implemented at a monitor computer that generates query messages with specific keys to identify the egress port by querying a focus device about its handling of hypothetical packets, using speculative keying to reduce traffic and gather data selectively, allowing for real-time end-to-end path computation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional routing protocol queries are used to discover egress ports, then routing information can be obtained, but the network overhead is high and the data gathering process is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary egress port information from the routing table by using targeted queries with specific query keys, rather than gathering complete routing protocol data. This selective extraction reduces network overhead while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-computing query keys based on destination identifiers before actually querying the routing table. This allows the monitor computer to efficiently retrieve only the required egress port information without unnecessary data gathering.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive routing protocol data is gathered to determine path, then path prediction accuracy improves, but the complexity of data gathering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the specific routing information needed for path determination (egress ports for given destination identifiers) rather than gathering comprehensive routing protocol data. This reduces data gathering complexity while maintaining sufficient path prediction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the path determination process into discrete queries, each targeting a specific segment of the network path. By breaking down the complex path prediction into multiple simple queries with specific query keys, the overall complexity is reduced while maintaining precision.
3Reliability
If multiple queries are sent to ensure accurate egress port identification, then identification reliability improves, but the time required for path determination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computation of query keys and prepares targeted queries before executing them. This preliminary action ensures that when queries are sent, they are already optimized for efficiency, reducing the time required while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by sending a limited number of targeted queries with specific query keys rather than multiple comprehensive queries. This partial approach is sufficient to achieve reliable identification while minimizing time consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a computer implemented method of identifying an egress port of a focus device connected in a computer network, the method being implemented at a monitor computer connected to the network and comprising: generating a query message to the focus device, the query message including an address identifying the device and a query key formulated based on a destination identifier, and including an instruction readable at the device to return the result message including identification of an egress port for messages addressed to the destination identified in the destination identifier when the query message is received at the device; receiving a result message at the monitor computer; reading the result message, and where the result message does not identify an egress port autonomously generating at least one subsequent query message; including at least one of (i) a different address for a different device connected in the computer network, and (ii) a different query key, selected by the monitor computer, wherein sufficient query messages are generated to identify the egress port of the focus device.