Packet Loss Isolation Test for Hierarchical Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to efficiently isolate packet loss in hierarchical packet networks, where packets traverse multiple segments managed by different organizations, leading to prolonged identification times and increased costs due to manual expert intervention.
Innovation Solution
The Packet Loss Isolation Test (PLIT) system automatically identifies segment-demarcation nodes and performs split-tunnel pinging to determine packet loss, using periodic requests-for-reply to interpolate loss curves and isolate the responsible network segment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual expert intervention is used to identify packet loss location, then identification accuracy is improved, but identification time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network path is divided into multiple segments managed by different organizations. The system performs split-tunnel pinging to different segment-demarcation nodes to isolate packet loss to a specific segment, enabling automated identification without requiring manual expert intervention across the entire network path.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces segment-demarcation nodes as intermediary points along the network path. These nodes serve as measurement points that enable automated packet loss isolation by comparing packet delivery status between different segments, eliminating the need for manual expert traversal.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive packet loss testing is performed across all network segments, then identification accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of testing the entire network path as one unit, the system segments the path into manageable sections with demarcation nodes. This segmentation allows focused testing on specific segments, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The segment-demarcation nodes serve multiple functions: they mark segment boundaries, act as ping targets for isolation testing, and provide reference points for determining responsible organizations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.
3Measurement precision
If frequent packet loss sampling is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but network traffic overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs packet loss isolation testing only on specific segment-demarcation nodes rather than continuously monitoring all network traffic. This partial action approach provides sufficient measurement precision for isolation purposes while minimizing unnecessary traffic overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses echo request/response packets as simplified copies of actual data traffic to measure packet loss. These test packets replicate the essential characteristics of data flow without carrying actual payload, reducing traffic overhead while maintaining measurement validity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for isolating packet loss on a hierarchical packet network, the method including: connecting a first network element (NE) to a second NE via a varying path traversing multiple network segments; discovering, with the first NE, a set of segment-demarcation expect-to-echo nodes along the varying path; ascertaining, with the first NE, a request-to-echo configuration for each node in the set; emitting a sample size of requests-to-echo in a respective request-to-echo configuration for each node in the set at a sample rate; receiving results of the sample size of requests-to-echo to generate a packet-loss sample; and calculating a rate-of-loss for the packet-loss sample.