Non-TCP Transaction Timing Measurement via Packet Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network test and measurement technologies lack the ability to determine transaction timing and measurement for non-TCP protocols, which are essential for identifying problem points in network responsiveness, especially for request/response-based applications that do not use TCP as the transport protocol.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine non-TCP protocol transactions by tracking the first and last packets from clients and servers, recognizing and classifying communication flows as streaming or non-streaming, allowing for timing measurements and analysis of network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TCP protocol is used for transport, then reliability of data transfer and request/response determination is improved, but adaptability to non-TCP protocols deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the measurement apparatus) that sits between the network traffic and the analysis process. This intermediary captures packets at the transport layer and applies protocol-agnostic analysis rules, allowing it to mediate between different protocol types (TCP and non-TCP) and provide unified transaction determination without requiring TCP-specific features
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement apparatus is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple protocol types. It implements a protocol-independent packet capture and analysis mechanism that can process both TCP and non-TCP protocols using the same core logic, making the system adaptable to different transport protocols while maintaining consistent transaction measurement capabilities
2Measurement precision
If transaction determination is implemented for non-TCP protocols, then measurement capability for non-TCP applications is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transaction determination process into distinct, manageable components: packet capture module, protocol identification module, transaction state machine, and timing measurement module. Each component handles a specific aspect of the analysis, reducing overall system complexity while enabling comprehensive non-TCP protocol measurement capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement apparatus employs self-service mechanisms through automated protocol detection and adaptive analysis rule application. The system automatically identifies the protocol type being used and selects appropriate analysis rules without requiring manual configuration, reducing the operational complexity while maintaining precise transaction determination for various non-TCP protocols
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus of transaction determination for non-tcp protocols employs a network analyzer to observe network traffic. Non-TCP protocol sequential traffic from a client to a server and sequential traffic following from a server to the client are considered to be one transaction for test and measurement analysis purposes.