Multi-Path Network Discovery Through Iterative Probing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional systems for discovering network paths often fail to provide comprehensive and complete traceroutes, unable to identify multiple paths between nodes, hindering error detection and network optimization.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that iteratively discovers multiple network paths by sending path-request probes to identify next hops and receiving path-response probes, allowing for comprehensive network path discovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional traceroute technology is used, then a single network path can be identified, but multiple network paths between nodes cannot be discovered
Solution Approach 1:
The path discovery process is segmented into multiple independent probe transmissions, each targeting different next hops. The system divides the network path discovery into discrete segments (individual paths) that can be explored separately through iterative probing, allowing comprehensive coverage of multiple paths without overwhelming system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by sending path-request probes to identify next hops before fully discovering the complete network paths. This preliminary identification of next hops enables the system to systematically explore multiple paths from known starting points, ensuring complete path information is gathered through structured preliminary exploration
2Productivity
If multiple network paths are configured to increase efficiency, then bandwidth is improved, but traditional traceroute cannot identify all paths hindering error detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where path-response probes return information about discovered paths and next hops. This feedback loop allows the system to continuously refine its understanding of network topology, identifying all available paths while maintaining the efficiency benefits of multiple path configurations through accurate path information
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses path-request and path-response probes as intermediaries to gather path information without disrupting actual data traffic. These intermediary probe messages enable comprehensive path discovery and error detection while the multiple network paths continue to operate for maintaining network efficiency and bandwidth
3Loss of information
If comprehensive network path discovery is implemented, then complete network topology is revealed, but the complexity of the discovery process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discovery process is made dynamic through iterative probing, where the system adapts its exploration based on information received from previous probes. The process dynamically adjusts by using discovered next hops to generate new probe targets, enabling complete topology discovery through flexible, adaptive exploration rather than rigid predetermined sequences
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (1) receiving, at a source node, a request to discover a plurality of network paths that each lead from the source node to a destination node and (2) discovering the plurality of network paths by (A) identifying each next hop between the source node and the destination node, (B) sending, from the source node to each next hop, a path-request probe that prompts the next hop to (i) determine each next-closest hop and (ii) return, to the source node, a path-response probe that identifies the next-closest hops, (C) receiving the path-response probes from the next hops, (D) determining, at the source node based on the path-response probes, that one or more of the plurality of network paths include the next hops and the next-closest hops, and then (E) iteratively discovering any subsequent hops by sending a subsequent path-request probe to each next-closest hop.