Network Failure Detection via Hierarchy Level Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a network-to-network interface-gateway (NNI-GW) setup between a host company and a counterpart company network, it is challenging to detect and specify the cause of failures in the counterpart company network, as current methods lack standardization and fail to differentiate between user terminal and network core issues, leading to ineffective failure recovery.
Innovation Solution
A failure detection apparatus and method that includes a hierarchy level detection unit to determine the depth of the counterpart company network, a failure location specifying unit to identify the failure location, and a determination unit to assess whether the failure is within the network core or user-side apparatus, using standardized error codes and warnings to facilitate accurate failure diagnosis and potential path switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a 500 response is received from the counterpart company network, then a failure is detected, but the cause of the failure cannot be specified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the counterpart company network into multiple hierarchy levels (first hierarchy level, second hierarchy level, etc.) representing different network depths. By transmitting requests with varying maximum transfer numbers and analyzing which hierarchy level returns the 500 response, the system locates the failure to a specific network segment, transforming an undifferentiated failure detection into a localized diagnosis that identifies both the presence and cause of failures.
2Productivity
If POI switching is performed to avoid failures, then network connectivity can be restored, but the underlying cause of the failure remains unidentified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the failure detection apparatus continuously monitors the counterpart company network by transmitting requests with different maximum transfer numbers. When a 500 response is received, the system uses the hierarchy level information as feedback to identify the failure cause. This feedback loop enables not only rapid POI switching for recovery but also provides the necessary information to address the underlying issue, preventing recurrence.
3Adaptability or versatility
If failure transfer standardization is implemented between communication operators, then failure information can be shared, but implementation complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal failure detection methodology that can be applied across different communication operators and network configurations without requiring operator-specific standardization. The hierarchy level detection approach works with any network structure, and the maximum transfer number mechanism is a standardized SIP protocol feature already widely supported. This universal approach enables failure information exchange between operators without the need for complex custom standardization agreements.
Data Source
AI summary
When a failure occurs in a counterpart company network, the cause of the failure is specified. A failure detection apparatus 1 that detects a failure in a counterpart company network includes a hierarchy level detection unit 11 detecting the number of hierarchy levels indicating a depth of hierarchy levels of the counterpart company network by transmitting a request including the maximum number of transfers to the counterpart company network, a failure location specifying unit 13 specifying a hierarchy level of a failure location in the counterpart company network by transmitting the request to the counterpart company network in a case where the failure in the counterpart company network has been detected, and a determination unit 14 determining that the failure is present in a network core apparatus of the counterpart company network in a case where the hierarchy level of the failure location is a hierarchy level at a depth less than the number of hierarchy levels of the counterpart company network.