Packet Condition Debug Assistant for Network Device Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual analysis of packet capture data to identify causes of packet loss, misdirection, or delay in network test scenarios is impractical due to the volume of data involved, necessitating more efficient debugging methods for network devices under test.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that transmit test packets to a device under test, receive and store packet data, and provide a graphical user interface to select packet conditions, apply rules to determine correlations between packet conditions and parameters, and output the likely cause of packet issues, utilizing a network test device with port units, a control processor, and a packet condition debug assistant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual analysis of packet capture data is performed to identify causes of packet conditions, then diagnostic accuracy can be achieved, but the process becomes impractical due to the volume of data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated analysis system that acts as an intermediary between the packet capture data and the network administrator. This system includes a packet capture module that collects data, an analysis module that applies diagnostic rules and algorithms, and a presentation module that displays results. The intermediary automatically processes the voluminous packet data, identifying patterns and causes of packet loss, delay, or misdirection without requiring manual analysis of the raw data, thus maintaining diagnostic accuracy while dramatically improving analysis efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual analysis process with an automated computational system. Instead of network administrators manually examining packet capture data, the system employs computer-based algorithms, rule engines, and automated diagnostic logic to analyze the data. This substitution of mechanical human analysis with automated computational processing enables the system to handle large volumes of packet data efficiently while providing accurate diagnostic results
2Loss of information
If comprehensive packet capture data is collected to ensure complete analysis, then diagnostic completeness is improved, but the data volume becomes unmanageable for manual processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the critical diagnostic information from the voluminous packet capture data through automated analysis. The system captures comprehensive data to ensure diagnostic completeness, then uses analysis modules to extract only the relevant information needed for diagnosis. This extraction process identifies key patterns, anomalies, and causal relationships while filtering out redundant data, presenting only the essential findings to the network administrator rather than requiring processing of the entire data set
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the diagnostic process into distinct modular components: a packet capture module for data collection, an analysis module for processing and rule application, and a presentation module for result display. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks efficiently, managing the complexity of comprehensive data analysis by dividing it into manageable, specialized stages rather than requiring single-process manual analysis of all data
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for assisting with debugging of conditions associated with the processing of test packets by a device under test are disclosed. One method includes transmitting test packets to a device under test. The method further includes receiving at least some of the test packets from the device under test. The method further includes storing information regarding the transmitted packets and the received packets. The method further includes applying rules to the stored information to determine correlations between packet conditions and packet parameters. The method further includes determining at least one cause of the packet condition based on the correlations. The method further includes outputting an indication of the at least one cause of the packet condition.