Network Inspection Apparatus Using Backtrace Function and Packet Pattern Cache
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing technology for inspecting network specifications and configurations, such as HSA, requires significant processing time as it needs to transitively apply transfer functions across all combinations of endpoint switch ports, leading to a processing time proportional to the third power of the network size, making it inefficient for large networks.
Innovation Solution
A network inspection apparatus and method that utilizes a backtrace function to calculate packet patterns by sequentially applying the backtrace function from the outgoing port to the incoming port, utilizing a packet pattern cache to store intermediate results and reuse calculations, thereby reducing the workload and processing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transfer functions are transitively applied across all combinations of endpoint switch ports to determine incoming packet patterns, then measurement precision of network specifications is improved, but processing time increases proportionally to the third power of network size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network inspection task by introducing intermediate ports as division points. Instead of computing packet patterns across all endpoint combinations directly, the method divides the network into segments using intermediate ports, computes packet patterns for each segment separately, and combines results. This segmentation reduces the computational complexity from O(N³) to a more manageable level by breaking down the monolithic computation into smaller, reusable sub-computations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing and caching packet patterns from intermediate ports to outgoing ports before performing the final computation from incoming ports to outgoing ports. The backtrace function stores intermediate results in a cache, allowing subsequent queries to reuse these pre-computed values instead of recalculating them, significantly reducing processing time for large networks.
2Measurement precision
If backtrace function is applied sequentially from outgoing port to incoming port without caching, then calculation accuracy is maintained, but processing time remains high for large networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating and storing copies of intermediate packet pattern results in a cache structure. When the backtrace function encounters an intermediate port, it retrieves the pre-computed packet pattern copy from the cache instead of recalculating it. This copying mechanism preserves calculation accuracy while dramatically improving inspection speed by eliminating redundant computations across multiple endpoint pairs.
3Reliability
If all intermediate packet patterns are recalculated for each endpoint pair, then calculation reliability is ensured, but loss of time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the packet pattern cache to store and retrieve intermediate computation results. The backtrace function checks the cache for existing results before performing calculations, creating a feedback loop where previous computation results inform current computations. This feedback mechanism ensures calculation reliability by systematically reusing verified results while minimizing redundant calculations, thereby reducing processing time without sacrificing accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an apparatus including: inspection target network information acquisition unit that acquires a transfer rule at a switch and physical network topology information about an inspection target network; backtrace function generation unit that generates, based on the transfer rule, a backtrace function that calculates a packet pattern of a packet being input to a port of a switch; physical link path acquisition unit that acquires, based on the physical network topology information and the transfer rule, a physical link path representing a series of ports from an incoming port to an outgoing port; backtrace function application unit that calculates a packet pattern at the incoming port of a packet that reaches the outgoing port, by sequentially applying the backtrace function with using a packet pattern cache storing the packet pattern at an intermediate port in the physical link path; and inspection result output unit that provides a processing result.