Network Performance Measurement via NAT Address Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
In active network performance measurement, measurement points struggle to determine the source of probe packets after network address translation (NAT), and cannot initiate probe packets across NAT/NAPT environments, hindering end-to-end performance measurement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating address information into probe packets and notification packets to enable measurement points to determine the source and initiate probe packets through NAT devices, allowing for accurate network performance metric calculation and reporting across NAT/NAPT environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If NAT/NAPT devices are deployed to solve IP address exhaustion, then IP address resource utilization is improved, but measurement points cannot determine the source of probe packets and cannot initiate measurements across networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where measurement points send their address information through the NAT device to a controller, which then generates probe packets with the correct source address. This intermediary approach allows NAT to translate addresses for resource sharing while preserving measurement accuracy through the controller's coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs address information copying where the original source address is replicated within the probe packet structure. This allows the measurement system to track the original source even though the NAT device has translated the external address, thus maintaining measurement precision while enabling IP address reuse.
2Adaptability or versatility
If NAT devices translate private IP addresses to public IP addresses, then network address sharing is improved, but measurement points in external networks cannot actively access measurement points in internal networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where measurement points send their address information to the controller, which then generates probe packets with the correct destination address. This feedback loop enables external measurement points to successfully access internal networks through NAT by having the controller coordinate the address translation and routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having measurement points first send their address information to the controller before actual measurement begins. The controller then prepares and generates probe packets with the correct addressing information in advance, enabling subsequent measurements to proceed smoothly across NAT boundaries.
3Measurement precision
If active measurement methods are used to measure network performance, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the complexity of determining packet sources after NAT increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the controller as an intermediary that simplifies source determination complexity. Instead of requiring measurement points to figure out NAT translation rules themselves, the controller handles the address translation and probe packet generation, reducing the complexity burden on individual measurement devices while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent copies the original source address information within the probe packet structure, allowing measurement points to easily identify packet sources without complex analysis. This copying approach maintains measurement accuracy while significantly reducing the complexity of source determination by making the information explicitly available in the packet.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for measuring network performance is disclosed to solve the problem in active network performance measurement that a measurement point on receiving a packet is unable to determine the source of the packet after the network address translation (NAT). The method includes that a first measurement point constructs a probe packet containing address information about the first measurement point in a data field thereof based on a measurement instruction and sends the probe packet to a second measurement point via a NAT device for translating the network address, and the second measurement point receives the probe packet and determines the source of the packet according to the address information in the packet; and finally calculates network performance metrics, according to related information in the probe packet. A network system is also disclosed.