Network Probe Routing via Redirecting Node
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network probing methods are limited in their ability to accurately assess all network links and nodes, especially in home or domestic networks, due to limitations in Time To Live (TTL) and cross-correlation methods, and introduce inaccuracies with packet processing delays and variable packet sizes.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves selecting a redirecting node to change routing rules, allowing probe packets to take alternative routes, enabling the probing of links and routes that were previously inaccessible by devolving the route decision to nodes within the network, and ensuring packet forwarding without the need for source routing or IP encapsulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If TTL-based probing method is used, then bandwidth measurement can be achieved on IP networks, but the method is not applicable to home networks with layer 2 hops and no layer 3 hops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the probing parameter from TTL (layer 3) to MAC address addresses and link-layer framing (layer 2). This allows the probing method to adapt to home networks that operate primarily at layer 2 without IP routing, while still achieving bandwidth measurement through controlled packet transmission and observation of link utilization.
2Measurement precision
If cross-correlation probing method is used, then bandwidth probing can be performed on multiple paths, but the method cannot measure all links in tree topology home networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network probing into individual link measurements by using a probe node that systematically tests each link in the home network. Instead of relying on multiple paths as in cross-correlation methods, the probe node directly measures each link by transmitting controlled traffic and observing the results, ensuring complete coverage of all links including those in tree topologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a probe node as an intermediary device that actively measures network links. This probe node acts as a mediator between the traffic source and destination, inserting measurement packets into the network flow and analyzing the results to determine bandwidth characteristics of individual links, thereby enabling comprehensive link measurement in home networks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If source routing or IP encapsulation is used for probing, then alternative routes can be probed, but packet processing delays and variable packet sizes introduce inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential probing function from complex IP-based methods (source routing, IP encapsulation) and implements it at the link layer using MAC address addresses and Ethernet framing. This extraction eliminates the need for IP processing at intermediate nodes, removing the source of packet processing delays and variable packet sizes, while still enabling alternative route probing through MAC address manipulation.
4Measurement precision
If probe packets are actively sent using sender-based probing, then network information can be derived, but not all nodes can serve as starting points for probes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the probe node universal by enabling it to initiate probes to any destination in the network without requiring special configuration or software on intermediate nodes. The probe node uses MAC address addressing to directly address packets to any target, making the probing capability universally applicable across all nodes in the home network, not just predefined starting points.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of network probing is described suitable for probing between a probe node and a destination node. The network comprises a further node which is connected to the probe node and the destination node. A node is typically selected to be a redirecting node and the routing rules at this redirecting node are changed. A node is typically selected to be a forwarding node and packet forwarding is enabled at the forwarding node. A probe packet transmitted between the probe node and the destination node can travel via the forwarding node. The result improves network probing by allowing probing of links not otherwise available for probing from the probe node, but without the disadvantages of complex packet processing at each node in the probe pathway.