Multicast Tree Logical Representation for Network Troubleshooting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service providers face challenges in troubleshooting and maintaining large multicast trees in service provider networks, which grow with the addition of new services, making it difficult to identify and address issues such as packet rate discrepancies and service delivery problems across vast geographical regions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating a logical representation of multicast trees within a network, allowing service technicians to search for specific attribute characteristics, such as source, interface, service type, and packet rate, and visualize the network structure to identify and troubleshoot issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the network grows to include thousands of multicast trees to serve large numbers of users across large geographical regions, then the network's capacity to deliver content increases, but the difficulty of maintaining and troubleshooting the network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a logical representation (copy) of the physical multicast tree network structure. This logical model includes nodes representing network components and edges representing connections, allowing technicians to search and analyze network attributes without physically traversing the complex network. The logical representation captures essential topology and attribute information in a simplified form that is easier to query and maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a search system as an intermediary between network technicians and the complex multicast tree infrastructure. This intermediary accepts search criteria regarding network attributes (such as packet rates, interface characteristics, service types) and returns relevant multicast trees without requiring technicians to manually navigate the thousands of trees. The search system mediates the interaction between human operators and the complex network structure.
2Quantity of substance
If the network includes thousands of multicast trees, then more users can be served, but the time required to identify and troubleshoot specific issues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-building the logical representation of the network topology and pre-organizing multicast tree information according to various attributes. When troubleshooting is needed, the search system can immediately query this pre-organized data structure using search criteria, rather than having to discover and analyze the network structure in real-time. This preliminary organization of information dramatically reduces troubleshooting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The search system provides feedback to technicians by returning specific multicast trees that match search criteria regarding network attributes. This feedback mechanism allows technicians to quickly identify problematic trees based on observed issues (such as abnormal packet rates) without manually examining thousands of trees. The system translates search criteria into targeted results, providing efficient feedback loops for troubleshooting.
3Measurement precision
If detailed attribute information is collected for all multicast trees, then troubleshooting precision improves, but the complexity of data collection and storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by associating specific attributes with specific nodes and edges in the logical representation, rather than treating all network elements uniformly. Different network components (routers, receivers, links) have different relevant attributes stored at their corresponding logical nodes. This localized attribute storage reduces overall data complexity by only collecting and storing attributes that are relevant to each specific component, while still enabling precise troubleshooting when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for receiving data from each of a plurality of components in a network, the components being arranged as a plurality of multicast trees, the data from each of the components indicating a structure of a portion of the network and at least one attribute associated with the respective component. The disclosure further provides for determining, based on the data, a structure of at least some of the multicast trees, receiving search criteria, and determining which of the multicast trees meet the search criteria.