Multicast Probe Packet Monitoring for Delay Source Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multicast networks face challenges in identifying delays within multicast trees due to their complex configuration and management, making it difficult to detect where transmission delays occur, which is crucial for maintaining quality of service in time-sensitive applications.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where probe packets with specific identifiers are sent through multicast distribution trees, redirecting to CPUs at last-hop routers for performance data generation, allowing for latency calculation and node-by-node analysis to identify delay sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is transmitted simultaneously along one or more transmit paths using a series of routers in a multicast network, then transmission efficiency is improved, but it becomes difficult to detect where delays occur along the multicast tree and/or transmit path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces probe packets as intermediary elements that travel through the multicast network to measure performance. These probe packets are distinct from regular data packets and are used specifically for monitoring purposes. By injecting probe packets at source routers and collecting performance data from last-hop routers, the system can identify delays without disrupting normal data transmission. This intermediary measurement approach resolves the contradiction by enabling delay detection while maintaining efficient simultaneous transmission paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where last-hop routers provide performance information about probe packets back to source routers. This feedback loop enables continuous monitoring of multicast path performance. The source router receives performance data, analyzes it to identify delays, and can then take remedial actions. This feedback system transforms the invisible delay problem into a measurable and manageable issue, allowing the network to maintain efficiency while detecting and addressing delays.
2Measurement precision
If probe packets are redirected to CPUs at last-hop routers for performance data generation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the performance measurement function from the data forwarding function. By creating separate probe packets with specific identifiers and routing them through dedicated paths to last-hop routers, the system isolates measurement operations from normal data transmission. This segmentation allows precise measurement without requiring complex modifications to the core routing functionality. The probe packets are handled separately through CPU redirection only when needed for measurement, minimizing overall system complexity while maintaining precise measurement capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
In some aspects, a computer-implemented method for performance monitoring in a multicast network, includes a controller causing a source router to originate a probe data packet. The controller may also originate, at the source router, the probe data packet, where the probe data packet is a data packet intended to measure performance data associated with one or more legs of a multicast distribution tree. Further, the source router may transmit the probe data packet through the multicast distribution tree using a probe identifier, where when received by a last hop router associated with the one or more legs of the multicast distribution tree, the last hop router redirects the probe data packet to a CPU of the last hop router configured to generate performance statistics. The source router may receive from the last hop router, the performance statistics.