Network Test Controller Pausing Throughput Tests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network throughput testing methods cause network congestion and service disruptions due to the inability to distinguish and manage test traffic from real customer traffic, leading to performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a test controller to authorize and manage throughput tests by determining the network state, pausing or terminating tests when congestion occurs, and resuming when conditions are acceptable, ensuring that test traffic does not impair live network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If test packets with quality of service marking matching live traffic are used to load the network, then throughput performance problems can be detected, but network congestion and service disruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic into test traffic and production traffic by marking test packets with a specific identifier (such as a DSCP code point or IP precedence value). This segmentation allows network elements to distinguish between test packets and real customer traffic, enabling selective handling of each type while maintaining both measurement accuracy and service reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a test traffic identifier as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between test packets and network infrastructure. This identifier acts as a signal to network elements (routers, switches, load balancers) to recognize test traffic and apply appropriate handling policies, preventing test packets from being misinterpreted as production traffic and causing unnecessary congestion or service disruption.
2Productivity
If test packets are added to network traffic to determine throughput performance, then network performance can be evaluated, but test traffic cannot be removed when causing performance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where network elements monitor network conditions and can identify test traffic through the marking identifier. When network performance degrades due to test traffic, the system can detect this and provide feedback to stop or modify test packet transmission, allowing dynamic adjustment of testing operations without compromising ongoing services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic control of test traffic by allowing network elements to adjust their behavior based on real-time conditions. Test traffic handling can be dynamically changed from full transmission to reduced or stopped transmission when performance issues are detected, providing operational flexibility and ease of management.
3Ease of operation
If test packets are marked with lower quality of service, then live traffic remains prioritized, but test packets still cause network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality differentiation by assigning specific quality of service characteristics to test traffic at individual network points. Rather than uniformly treating all traffic the same, the system applies selective QoS marking and handling to test packets at specific locations in the network, allowing test traffic to be identified and managed locally without affecting overall network prioritization policies.
Data Source
AI summary
A request to perform a throughput test from one or more testing clients is received. A state of a network is determined utilizing indicators received from portions of the network. The throughput test is authorized in response to the state of the network being acceptable for performing the throughput test. The throughput test is paused in response to a change in the state of the network indicative of a network state that is unacceptable for performing the throughput test.