Network Path Validation via Routing Table Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network path determination techniques rely on assumptions about trace information and routing information, which may not always be applicable, leading to inaccurate or meaningless performance statistics, especially when multiple paths exist between source and destination nodes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that identifies potential paths using trace-route information and filters them based on ancillary information like routing tables and ARP tables to determine feasible paths, and uses supplemental information to infer connections when ancillary information is lacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional trace-route techniques are used to determine network paths, then path identification is simplified, but the accuracy of path determination deteriorates because reported paths may not actually exist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation process that acts as a mediator between the trace-route path identification and the final path determination. This intermediary layer queries routing tables and ARP tables to verify whether the identified paths actually exist in the network, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple path identification and accurate path determination.
2Loss of information
If multiple paths are identified between source and destination, then path analysis completeness is improved, but the reliability of performance statistics deteriorates because some paths may be non-existent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system queries routing tables and ARP tables to verify each identified path. This feedback loop allows the system to distinguish between actual feasible paths and non-existent paths, ensuring that performance statistics are only collected and reported for paths that truly exist in the network, thereby maintaining both completeness and reliability.
3Measurement precision
If ancillary information queries are performed to validate paths, then path accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional information gathering requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages self-service by utilizing existing network infrastructure resources (routing tables and ARP tables that are already maintained by network devices) to validate paths. Instead of requiring complex external validation systems, the solution queries information that the network devices themselves already possess and maintain, thereby improving path accuracy without significantly increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Potential paths between a source and destination of a network are identified based on trace-route information, then filtered to eliminate paths or links that are not supported by ancillary information associated with the network so as to identify feasible/actual paths between the source and destination. The ancillary information includes, for example, routing tables and ARP tables. If a feasible path cannot be identified based on the ancillary information, supplemental information regarding nodes further along the potential path is assessed to provide a basis for inferring the nodes that may provide a feasible path. The determined feasible paths are displayed for review, and provided to serve as filters for subsequent path-analysis tools.