Network Convergence Time Measurement Using Segmented Packet Rate Flags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network testing technologies face challenges in accurately measuring packet reception rates due to inconsistent time intervals between packets, leading to inaccurate rate measurements, especially when dealing with large volumes of packet groups and varying anticipated reception rates.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a statistics engine that maintains a packet count and rate flag for each packet group, using a separate packet count and rate flag, and setting time intervals and thresholds individually for each group to account for varying packet reception rates, allowing for more accurate packet rate determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single packet count and rate flag are used for all packet groups, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of packet reception rates deteriorates due to varying anticipated reception rates across different packet groups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the packet measurement system into separate packet count and rate flag variables for each packet group. Instead of using a single shared counter and flag for all packet groups, the system maintains individualized tracking structures where each packet group has its own packet count variable and rate flag variable. This segmentation allows the measurement precision to improve by capturing the specific reception characteristics of each packet group while managing complexity through structured data organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different packet groups to have different anticipated reception rates and measurement thresholds. Each packet group can be configured with its own expected rate characteristics, enabling the system to adapt measurements to local conditions of each packet group rather than applying a uniform measurement approach to all groups. This improves measurement precision for groups with varying rate patterns.
2Measurement precision
If time intervals are set individually for each packet group, then the measurement precision of packet rates is improved, but the device complexity increases due to maintaining separate counters and flags for each group
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the measurement functionality by creating separate packet count and rate flag variables for each packet group. This segmentation enables precise measurement of each group's reception rate by tracking packets independently, while the structured organization of these segmented variables manages the complexity through consistent data structures that can be efficiently processed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters dynamically by allowing each packet group to have its own anticipated reception rate and associated time interval settings. This parameter customization enables the system to adapt measurement windows and thresholds to match the specific traffic patterns of each packet group, improving measurement precision without requiring a completely separate measurement system for each group.
3Measurement precision
If separate packet count and rate flag variables are maintained for each packet group, then the packet rate measurement accuracy is improved, but the loss of time for processing and updating these variables increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous packet reception and measurement processing by updating packet counts and rate flags in an ongoing manner as packets arrive. Rather than periodically sampling or batch-processing measurements, the system continuously tracks each packet group's reception rate by incrementing counters and updating flags in real-time, eliminating idle processing intervals and reducing overall measurement latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system performs self-service by automatically updating packet counts and rate flags for each packet group without requiring external intervention or complex coordination. Each packet group's measurement variables are autonomously maintained and updated based on incoming packets, reducing the processing overhead that would otherwise be required to manage and synchronize separate measurement systems for each group.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for measuring a convergence time of a network. Test traffic including a plurality of packet groups may be transmitted and received via the network. The network may be instructed to redirect packets belonging to a selected packet group from a first port of the network to a second port of the network. A first test port unit coupled to the first port may determine an arrival rate for the selected packet group and store a below threshold timestamp when the arrival rate first falls below a predetermined threshold rate. A second test port unit coupled to the second port may determine an arrival rate for the selected packet group and store an above threshold timestamp when the arrival rate first equals or exceeds the predetermined threshold rate. The convergence time may be determined based on the below threshold timestamp and the above threshold timestamp.