Network Analyzer End-User Response Time TCP Non-TCP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network test and measurement technologies cannot effectively determine end-user response time for non-TCP protocols, limiting troubleshooting and performance analysis in network operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a network analyzer to measure and calculate end-user response time for both TCP and non-TCP protocols by tracking timing aspects such as client data transfer time, server response time, server data transfer time, and network round trip time, providing an approximation of client-side response time to identify network issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TCP protocol is used for transport, then reliability of data transfer and request/response determination is improved, but adaptability to non-TCP protocols deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network analyzer is designed to handle both TCP and non-TCP protocols using a unified approach. The system identifies application layer data patterns and uses timing analysis to determine request/response transactions regardless of the underlying transport protocol, making the measurement capability universal across different protocol types.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary measurement layer at the application layer that mediates between the transport protocol specifics and the response time measurement goals. By focusing on application layer data patterns and timing characteristics rather than transport protocol details, the system can measure response times for both TCP and non-TCP protocols through this intermediate abstraction layer.
2Ease of operation
If TCP protocol assumptions are applied to non-TCP traffic, then measurement simplicity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different measurement strategies tailored to specific protocol characteristics. For TCP traffic, it can use transport layer acknowledgment patterns, while for non-TCP traffic, it uses application layer data pattern matching and timing analysis. This local adaptation ensures measurement precision is optimized for each protocol type while maintaining operational simplicity through automated protocol detection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple monitoring devices are deployed to cover different protocols, then measurement coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network analyzer implements a single multi-functional device that can measure response times for both TCP and non-TCP protocols. The system automatically detects the protocol type being monitored and applies appropriate measurement techniques, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices for different protocols and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
End-user response time in a network is determined by an analyzer which measures client data transfer time, server response time, server data transfer time and, if the protocol is a TCP protocol, further measuring server network round trip time. End-user response time may be approximated by the sum of these determined times.