Overlay Network Path Mapping Through Underlay Flow Correlation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network infrastructure, which combines physical and virtual networks, makes it difficult to track down network issues due to the complexity of packet paths, and existing tools for viewing these paths are difficult to comprehend.
Innovation Solution
Collecting and correlating underlay flow data with overlay flow data to provide insights into network operation and performance, enabling efficient troubleshooting and data path visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If command line tools are used to reveal packet routes, then network path information can be obtained, but the tools are difficult to comprehend and analyze
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that translates complex command line tool output into visual network path diagrams. This intermediary layer processes the raw packet route data and presents it in a comprehensible visual format, resolving the contradiction between obtaining network path information and maintaining tool comprehensibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical text-based command line interface with a visual diagramming system. Instead of requiring users to interpret text output from command line tools, the system substitutes this with graphical representations of network paths, making the information much easier to comprehend and analyze.
2Loss of information
If underlay flow data is collected from multiple network devices, then complete network visibility is achieved, but the number of potential devices involved in issues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and highlights only the relevant network devices and paths related to a specific overlay data flow issue. Instead of presenting all underlay network devices, the system selectively extracts and displays only those devices that are actually involved in the problematic data flow, reducing complexity while maintaining necessary visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network view to focus on specific overlay-to-underlay mappings. By dividing the complete network topology into relevant segments based on the overlay data flow being analyzed, the system presents manageable portions of the network rather than the entire complex infrastructure.
3Productivity
If overlay and underlay flow data are correlated, then troubleshooting efficiency is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary correlation of overlay and underlay flow data by pre-establishing mappings between overlay networks and their corresponding underlay network paths. This preliminary action creates a ready-reference structure that speeds up troubleshooting without requiring complex real-time processing during actual problem analysis.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
This disclosure describes techniques that include collecting underlay flow data within a network and associating underlay flow data with a source and a destination virtual network to enable insights into network operation and performance. In one example, this disclosure describes a method that includes identifying, for each underlay data flow, a source overlay network and a destination overlay network associated with the underlay data flow, wherein identifying includes retrieving, from one or more Ethernet Virtual Private Network (EVPN) databases, information identifying the source and destination overlay networks.