Communication Device Packet Drop Tracing via Header Digest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network management methods, such as Ethernet switches and network telemetry, face challenges in tracing packet drops due to lack of synchronized data and additional hardware requirements, making it difficult to determine when and why packets are dropped.
Innovation Solution
A communication device with a monitor port and packet processor that computes a digest value and identification code for packets, using a lookup table to determine dropping events, allowing for efficient monitoring and diagnosis without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network telemetry is used to check packet content, then packet content can be traced, but additional hardware is required and network bandwidth is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the packet header (not the entire packet) to extract necessary tracing information. This header copy contains source/destination addresses and other identifying fields that enable path tracing without requiring full packet duplication or additional hardware infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential header fields from the packet that are necessary for tracing (source address, destination address, protocol type) rather than transmitting or analyzing the entire packet. This extraction approach enables tracing functionality while minimizing hardware requirements and bandwidth consumption.
2Measurement precision
If management information base is transmitted frequently for real-time monitoring, then tracing accuracy improves, but data loss increases and synchronization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a lightweight copy of only the packet header information and stores it locally in the forwarding table, eliminating the need for frequent transmission of large management information bases. This local copying approach maintains tracing accuracy while preventing data loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary extraction and storage of packet header information in the forwarding table before any analysis or tracing is needed. This preliminary action ensures that tracing data is already available and synchronized when needed, eliminating the need for frequent transmissions that could result in data loss or synchronization issues.
3Measurement precision
If additional hardware is configured for packet tracing, then path and quality of service can be traced, but hardware cost and network bandwidth increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing forwarding table serve multiple functions: it continues to perform its traditional packet forwarding role while simultaneously storing packet header copies for tracing purposes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated tracing hardware, reducing both hardware cost and bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies of packet headers and stores them in the existing forwarding table structure, enabling path tracing functionality without requiring additional specialized hardware. This copying approach leverages existing infrastructure to achieve tracing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device which is configured to receive a data flow includes a monitor port and a packet processor. The monitor port is configured to receive a packet of the data flow. The packet processor is coupled to the monitor port, and the packet processor is configured to compute a digest value of the packet and compute an identification code of the packet according to the digest value of the packet, and the packet processor searches a status value associated with the identification code in a lookup table so as to determine whether a dropping event of the data flow is recorded.