Network Delay Measurement via Segmentation and Universality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network delay measurement techniques are location-dependent, making them unsuitable for virtualization and cloud solutions, where scalability and consistent delay determination are essential.

Innovation Solution

A network monitoring device determines location-independent network delays by measuring retransmission delay and application response time through monitoring data exchanges between network devices, accounting for network round trip time and displaying these metrics consistently from client-side, server-side, or intermediate locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional end-user response time measurement techniques are used, then location-specific delay metrics can be obtained, but the measurements are location-dependent and do not scale appropriately for virtualization and cloud solutions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork delay measurement accuracyVSAvoidlocation independence
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the end-user response time into distinct components: application response time, data transfer time, and network round trip time. By measuring and separating these components individually, the system can aggregate them to determine location-independent network delay metrics that work across virtualization and cloud environments while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If measurements are taken close to server-side devices, then server response metrics are improved, but client-side experience may not be accurately reflected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveserver response time accuracyVSAvoidclient-side delay information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal measurement approach that can be implemented at any location in the network (client-side, server-side, or intermediate). By designing the measurement system to be location-agnostic and using standardized timing markers that can be placed anywhere in the data path, the system maintains the ability to measure server response time accurately while also capturing client-side experience and intermediate network delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If end-user response time is used as the primary metric, then overall system performance is measured, but it includes application processing time that cannot be optimized by network changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall system performance measurementVSAvoiddelay component separation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the total end-user response time into distinct measurable components: application response time (server processing), data transfer time (application layer), and network round trip time (network layer). This segmentation allows network operators to identify and optimize specifically the network-related portions of delay while maintaining awareness of the overall system performance, without the complexity of trying to measure each microscopic delay component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2922241B1Methods and apparatus to determine network delay with location independence from retransmission delay and application response time
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 AIRMAGNET INC
  • EP2922241B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2922241B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2922241B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The techniques disclosed herein determine a location independent network delay, via a network monitoring device. Such techniques particularly include determining various delays caused by retransmission in instances of lost data segments and application response time.