Network Element Delay Measurement via Probe Session Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring and apportioning network element delays in communication networks are prohibitively expensive and impractical, especially when end-to-end latency exceeds expected values, as they require extensive timestamping across numerous network elements and can be CPU-intensive, leading to performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the establishment of a probe session with a probe session indicator, where timestamps are logged at network elements for signaling plane messages, allowing for the calculation of delays across each element without timestamping every message, thereby minimizing performance impact and enabling efficient delay apportionment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If extensive timestamping is performed across all network elements to accurately measure and apportion delays, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network monitoring function by introducing probe messages that traverse through network elements independently. Each network element processes only the probe messages destined for it, rather than all traffic, dividing the complex monitoring task into manageable segments handled by individual elements and the monitoring entity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a monitoring entity as an intermediary that coordinates the delay measurement process. This entity sends probe messages, collects timestamp data from network elements, and performs the actual delay calculation and apportionment, separating the measurement coordination function from the network elements themselves.
2Measurement precision
If timestamping is performed on every message to ensure accurate delay measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity of the network system deteriorates due to CPU-intensive processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the delay measurement function from the normal message processing flow by using dedicated probe messages. These probe messages are separate from regular data traffic, allowing delay measurement to be performed without interfering with or being interfered by normal network operations, thus maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by timestamping only the necessary probe messages rather than every message in the network. The monitoring entity selectively sends probe messages to specific network elements or through specific paths, performing timestamping only where needed for delay measurement while leaving normal traffic processing unchanged.
3Measurement precision
If probe sessions are established for every network element to measure individual delays, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to extensive session management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the probe message format universal by using a standardized structure that can be processed by any network element. The same probe message type can traverse through multiple elements and be processed by the monitoring entity in a uniform way, eliminating the need for element-specific session management and reducing time overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for Data Plane Delay KPI Monitoring in a live network is disclosed for measuring node delays in a manner that allows latency to be apportioned to network elements. The method and apparatus for Data Plane Delay KPI Monitoring in a live network includes establishing a call session, propagating a probe session commencement indicator, capturing timestamps for incoming and outgoing packets associated with the call session at the network nodes, propagating a probe session stop indicator which causes the network nodes to cease collecting timestamps and then transmitting the timestamps to a Network Management System.