Network Tomography via Segment Routing Path Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network tomography faces challenges in accurately monitoring network performance due to unobservable segments and unreliable results from probing packets traveling along different routes, especially in large, heterogeneous networks where routing changes and load balancing occur.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using segment routing to control the paths of probing packets between source and destination nodes, allowing for accurate performance measurements and inference of network performance parameters without requiring cooperation from internal network components, thereby ensuring full coverage and dynamic network monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If active probing is used to obtain sufficient path measurements for network tomography, then coverage of network paths is improved, but reliability of measurements deteriorates due to routing changes and load balancing causing probing packets to follow different routes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of network pathsVSAvoidreliability of performance measurements

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the network path into multiple controllable segments using Segment Routing technology. Each segment is defined by a specific sequence of network nodes that probing packets must traverse, ensuring that packets follow predetermined paths rather than dynamically changing routes. This segmentation allows for reliable measurements while maintaining comprehensive path coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-computing and storing multiple candidate paths between source and destination nodes before measurements are taken. These pre-computed paths are then selected and used for probing, ensuring that the measurement paths are predetermined and stable. This preliminary path computation prevents routing changes during the measurement process, thereby maintaining measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If conventional network tomography is used without segment routing, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to control probing packet routes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of path control mechanismVSAvoidprecision of network performance measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by making the network's existing Segment Routing infrastructure serve dual purposes: both for normal data traffic forwarding and for controlled probing packet transmission. The same segment routing mechanisms that manage production traffic are reused to guide measurement packets, eliminating the need for separate path control hardware or software and maintaining measurement precision without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If frequent topology discovery is performed to maintain accurate network monitoring, then measurement accuracy is improved, but loss of time and productivity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of network monitoringVSAvoidtime for topology discovery

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-computing multiple candidate paths between all pairs of network nodes and storing them in advance. When monitoring is needed, these pre-computed paths can be directly selected and used without performing time-consuming topology discovery at measurement time. This preliminary path computation significantly reduces the time required for ongoing network monitoring while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies copying by creating and storing virtual representations of network paths (path records) that can be reused for multiple measurement operations. Instead of repeatedly discovering the actual network topology, the system copies and reuses these pre-established path definitions, dramatically reducing the time required for continuous monitoring while preserving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10277471B2Method and device for network tomography

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method of monitoring performance of a network using network tomography comprises obtaining (102) information indicative of topology of the network and computing (104) a plurality of paths for monitoring the network. Further the method comprises instructing (110) source nodes of the computed paths to send probing packets towards destination nodes of the computed paths, wherein said probing packets undergo segment routing in said network and instructing (114) the destination nodes of the computed paths to carry out network performance measurements based on probing packets received by the destination nodes. Finally the method comprises receiving (116) the performance measurements from the destination nodes and inferring (118) information about performance of nodes in the network using network tomography, wherein the inference process includes correlating the performance measurements of the computed paths.