Mapping Off-Network Traffic to Administered Network Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service providers face challenges in accurately simulating and analyzing network traffic flows, particularly when the source or destination is outside their administered network, due to limited knowledge of off-network facilities and traditional point-to-point analysis limitations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves selecting an ingress and/or egress node within the administered network to simulate and analyze off-network traffic flows by inspecting routing information, determining candidate nodes, and mapping traffic flows from the source to the destination, using techniques such as prefix graphs and network constraints to select the optimal egress node.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional point-to-point analysis is used for off-network traffic, then analysis simplicity is maintained, but accuracy and reliability of network simulation deteriorates due to inability to know off-network facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by mapping off-network traffic flows to equivalent flows within the administered network through ingress and egress nodes. This mediator technique allows accurate simulation of off-network traffic using only internal network information, resolving the contradiction by enabling precise measurement without requiring complex knowledge of external network facilities.
2Reliability
If off-network traffic is mapped through ingress and egress nodes, then simulation accuracy improves, but the complexity of selecting and mapping nodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-identifying and pre-mapping ingress and egress nodes before conducting traffic simulation. Routing information is inspected in advance to determine candidate egress nodes, and traffic flows are mapped to equivalent internal flows beforehand. This preparation ensures reliable simulation results while reducing the complexity of real-time node selection and mapping operations.
3Measurement precision
If routing information is inspected at edge devices to determine candidate egress nodes, then mapping precision improves, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-inspecting routing information at edge devices and pre-determining candidate egress nodes before traffic simulation begins. This advance preparation stores mapping relationships that can be quickly retrieved during simulation, achieving precise traffic flow mapping while minimizing real-time processing time and computational resource consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
Traffic flows through an administered network from an off-network source and/or to an off-network destination are simulated and analyzed by selecting an ingress and/or egress node within the administered network, the ingress node capable of collecting traffic from an off-network source, and the egress node capable of routing traffic to an off-network destination. Traffic flow is mapped from the source or ingress node through the administered network to the egress node. The traffic flow may be simulated and analyzed. The ingress and/or egress nodes may be selected in a variety of ways.