Network Statistics Replay Module for Measurement Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring network performance statistics suffer from inaccuracies due to variable processing times and asynchronous data packet reception, leading to discrepancies in calculations, especially as sampling periods shorten to detect bursts more accurately.
Innovation Solution
The method involves replaying data packet arrivals based on the relative speed of the transmission link and databus, using synchronized Time of Day clocks, and implementing a sample processing module that increments byte counts in time equivalent to the transmission link rate, ensuring accurate statistics by eliminating errors from processing delays and clock domain differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sampling periods are shortened to detect bursts more accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but processing time increases and inaccuracies worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing packet arrival timestamps and replaying packet arrivals in advance before statistics calculation. This allows the system to pre-process timing information and reconstruct packet arrival sequences, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time processing during actual measurements while maintaining high precision even with short sampling periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a virtual copy of the network interface by replaying packet arrivals based on captured timestamps. This virtual copy allows statistics to be calculated on reproduced packet sequences without requiring actual real-time packet processing, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining measurement accuracy for short sampling periods.
2Measurement precision
If variable processing times are eliminated through synchronized clocks, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a timestamp as an intermediary element that captures the exact arrival time of each packet. This timestamp serves as a mediator between the physical packet arrival and the virtual replay process, allowing the system to eliminate variable processing times by relying on precise timestamp recording and reproduction rather than complex real-time clock synchronization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the timing information from the actual packet processing stream by capturing timestamps at the point of packet arrival. This extracted timing data is then used in the virtual replay environment, separating the timing measurement function from the complex clock synchronization requirements of real-time processing and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If asynchronous data packet reception is handled through replaying, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of the asynchronous packet reception process by replaying packet arrivals according to captured timestamps. This virtual reproduction allows precise measurement of packet arrival timing patterns without requiring complex hardware mechanisms to handle asynchrony in real-time, as the replay process naturally preserves the original timing relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary capture of packet arrival timestamps before statistics calculation. This pre-captured timing information enables the system to replay packet arrivals with precise timing relationships intact, eliminating the need for complex real-time handling of asynchronous packets while maintaining high measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for accurately measuring one or more network performance statistics during one or more sampling periods comprises processing a received data packet to identify flow information and time of arrival; transmitting the data packet, along with metadata comprising the flow information and the time of arrival, to a sample processing module; replaying the reception of the data packet based on the relative speed of the transmission link and the databus and the time of arrival; incrementing a number of bytes received for the data packet for a first sampling period; starting a second sampling period at a predetermined time and incrementing a number of bytes received for the data packet for the second sampling period, if the replaying is not completed. The number of bytes received for the data packet for the first and second sampling periods are processed into first and second sampling period statistics, respectively.