NVGRE Echo Request Packet Path Failure Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network virtualization technologies, such as NVGRE, face challenges in detecting data path failures within cloud computing deployments, which can lead to traffic black holes or misrouting, and lack robust fault isolation mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The method involves generating an echo request packet with an NVGRE virtual subnet identifier (VSID) and transmitting it through the suspected NVGRE segment, allowing for the detection of data path failures by determining whether packets arrive at the intended terminating tunnel end point, and utilizing reliable echo reply channels for robust fault isolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If NVGRE tunneling mechanism is used to transmit packets between tunnel end points, then network virtualization scalability is improved, but the ability to detect data path failures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork virtualization scalabilityVSAvoiddata path failure detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by sending echo request packets through NVGRE segments before actual data transmission to verify data path integrity. The originating tunnel end point device proactively transmits echo requests with Router Alert options to detect potential failures before they affect normal traffic flow, thus maintaining reliability while preserving scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where echo reply packets are sent back from terminating tunnel end point devices to originating devices. This feedback loop allows the network to continuously monitor data path health and detect failures in real-time, resolving the contradiction between maintaining scalable NVGRE infrastructure and ensuring reliable failure detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If traditional packet transmission methods are used in NVGRE segments, then device complexity is reduced, but fault isolation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket processing simplicityVSAvoidfault isolation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the NVGRE network into discrete segments identified by Virtual Subnet Identifiers (VSIDs). Each segment can be independently tested using echo requests with specific VSIDs, allowing faults to be isolated to particular segments without affecting the entire network. This maintains relatively simple device processing while significantly improving fault isolation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces echo request and reply packets as intermediary test messages that traverse NVGRE segments without requiring complex modifications to existing packet processing logic. These intermediary packets carry Router Alert options and VSIDs that enable fault detection while maintaining compatibility with standard NVGRE forwarding operations, thus improving fault isolation without substantially increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If echo requests are transmitted through NVGRE segments with Router Alert options, then data path failure detection is improved, but packet processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata path failure detectionVSAvoidpacket processing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying specific fields in existing packet structures - setting the Router Alert option in the IP header and including VSID information in the NVGRE header. These parameter changes enable failure detection functionality without requiring fundamental changes to packet processing architecture, thus improving reliability while minimizing the increase in processing overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9569301B2System and method for detecting a network virtualization using generic routing encapsulation (NVGRE) segment data path failure

Publication Date: 2017.02.14 ALCATEL LUCENT SA

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses for determining an NVGRE data path failure are provided. In an embodiment, a first data packet comprising an echo request is generated at an originating tunnel end point device in a network. The echo request includes an NVGRE network identifier (VSID) associated with a selected NVGRE segment. A second data packet is generated comprising a header having a format associated with an NVGRE technology, the header comprising a network identifier portion including the NVGRE network identifier (VSID). The first data packet is encapsulated in the second data packet, and the second data packet is transmitted via the selected NVGRE segment.