Network Probe Auto-Discovery for Tunnel Traffic Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

The configuration of network probes in communication networks is challenging due to the dynamic nature of communication tunnels, necessitating an automatic setup that is simple, effective, and cost-efficient.

Innovation Solution

A method involving network probes that detect communication tunnels by filtering packets, deduce the address of a second network probe using a bijective translation function, establish inter-probe communications, and jointly monitor data traffic to manage congestion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If network probes are manually configured to monitor communication tunnels, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic monitoring accuracyVSAvoidprobe configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network probe automatically discovers communication tunnels by filtering packets and identifies remote probes through bijective translation of endpoint addresses, eliminating the need for manual configuration while maintaining monitoring accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the addressing parameter by applying a bijective translation function to endpoint addresses, automatically deriving probe addresses from known endpoint addresses, thus simplifying the configuration process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If automatic probe connection is implemented using bijective translation function, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may worsen due to potential address deduction errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic probe setupVSAvoidaddress deduction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes inter-probe communications to verify successful connection and exchange monitoring data, providing feedback that confirms the reliability of the automated address deduction process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The bijective translation function creates a reliable mapping between endpoint addresses and probe addresses, ensuring that each endpoint has a corresponding probe through a deterministic transformation rule

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple network probes are deployed to monitor different endpoints, then monitoring coverage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring coverageVSAvoidnumber of probes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each network probe is designed to monitor multiple communication tunnels by filtering packets from different endpoints, making a single probe capable of performing multiple monitoring functions that would otherwise require separate probes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12381803B2Automatic connection of network probes

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE SAS

AI summary

A first network probe is associated with a first end-point of a first router. The first network probe detects, by filtering packets coming from or going to the first router, a communication tunnel between the first end-point and a second end-point of a second router. The first network probe deduces an address of a second network probe associated with the second end-point, by applying a bijective translation function relative to an address of the second end-point retrieved from the filtered packets. Inter-probe communications are set-up between the first and second network probes, using the deduced address of the second network probe, and data traffic in the communication tunnel is jointly monitored by the first and second network probes.