Packet Generation Apparatus Simulating Multi-Source Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring message traffic in software defined data centers is challenging due to gaps in testing prior to the point of ingestion and the difficulty in simulating multi-source traffic, especially with large and scalable systems where comprehensive data collection and analysis are problematic.
Innovation Solution
A packet generation and injection apparatus that allows for the generation of packets by a single virtual computing instance (VCI) or non-virtualized physical host, which can inject these packets through a network interface to simulate message traffic, enabling monitoring and analysis of message traffic within the data center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple VCIs are used to generate and monitor message traffic, then comprehensive data collection is achieved, but system complexity and resource requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple VCI functionalities into a single VCI by implementing a packet generation apparatus that can simulate multiple source addresses and a monitoring apparatus that can capture traffic from multiple virtual sources. This merging approach maintains comprehensive data collection capabilities while reducing system complexity by eliminating the need for multiple physical VCIs.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to perform both traffic capture and analysis functions that would traditionally require separate systems. The apparatus can simulate various message sources while simultaneously monitoring traffic, making a single system perform multiple roles that previously required multiple specialized components.
2Productivity
If a single VCI is used to simulate multi-source traffic, then resource consumption is reduced, but the ability to accurately simulate diverse message sources is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The packet generation apparatus implements local quality by assigning different source addresses, message types, and traffic patterns to different simulated sources within the single VCI. Each virtual message source has customized characteristics (IP addresses, ports, protocols, timing patterns) that match the specific monitoring requirements, allowing accurate multi-source simulation while operating from a single physical VCI.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive monitoring of all message traffic is implemented, then complete system visibility is achieved, but processing overhead and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring apparatus implements partial monitoring by selectively capturing message traffic based on predefined criteria such as specific source addresses, destination addresses, message types, or time periods. Rather than processing all traffic indiscriminately, the system applies filtering rules to capture only the subset of traffic relevant to the monitoring objectives, reducing processing overhead while maintaining complete visibility into the targeted traffic patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is related to packet generation and injection. An example testing system for packet generation and injection can include a packet generation and injection apparatus connected to a host. The packet generation and injection apparatus may be configured to cause a plurality of packets, each having a different source address, to be generated at the host, cause the plurality of packets to be injected through a network interface of the host. The example testing system may include a syslog server connected to the host. The syslog server may be configured to ingest and process the plurality of packets.