Network Path Break Detection via Delayed Health Probes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting a break in a communication network link are slow, leading to data loss and increased network traffic, as they require continuous health packet transmission to confirm link status.
Innovation Solution
A method where a receiving network appliance determines a break condition by waiting for a predetermined time interval after the last data packet transmission and sending a message if no health probe packets are received within a subsequent interval, minimizing network overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous health packet transmission is used to detect network link breaks, then detection reliability is improved, but network overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic health packet transmission instead of continuous transmission. The system transmits health packets at specific intervals (e.g., every few seconds) and monitors for acknowledgments. This periodic approach maintains detection capability while significantly reducing network overhead compared to continuous transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses data packets that are already being transmitted for business purposes as preliminary health checks. By monitoring the receipt and acknowledgment of these existing data packets, the system performs health detection without requiring separate dedicated health packets, thereby reducing overall network overhead.
2Quantity of substance
If health packet transmission interval is increased to conserve bandwidth, then network overhead is reduced, but detection speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of health packet transmission intervals based on network conditions and detected issues. When problems are suspected, the interval is decreased to enable faster detection. When the network is stable, the interval is increased to conserve bandwidth. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between overhead reduction and detection speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors network conditions and uses this feedback to adjust transmission intervals. If acknowledgments are not received within expected timeframes or error rates increase, the system responds by decreasing the interval to speed up detection. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adaptively balance overhead and detection speed.
3Measurement precision
If more health packets are transmitted when problems are suspected, then detection accuracy is improved, but network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes data packets serve multiple functions: they carry business data and simultaneously function as health probe packets. By monitoring the receipt and acknowledgment of these multi-functional packets, the system achieves accurate detection without generating additional traffic specifically for health checks, thereby avoiding increased network congestion.
4Speed
If health packets are transmitted at short intervals, then detection speed is improved, but network overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges health detection functionality with existing data transmission operations. Instead of separating health packets from data packets, the system combines their functions by monitoring data packet acknowledgments for health detection purposes. This merging eliminates the need for additional dedicated health packets, achieving fast detection without increasing overall network overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for detection of a path break in a communication network by one network appliance of a plurality of network appliance. A communication path that is transitioning from active to idle state can be quickly determined by evaluating network data traffic within a predetermined time interval after the end of a data transmission. By strategically utilizing health probes at only a set predetermined time interval after a data transmission, a path break condition can be quickly determined without significant use of network bandwidth. Further, the path break condition can be determined unilaterally by one network appliance.