Packet Tracing Tool for Logical Network Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network administrators face excessive work and require direct access to multiple components in datacenters with multiple logical networks to capture packet data, as existing methods require manual initiation of packet captures at various locations within the network.
Innovation Solution
A method for automatic execution of packet capture operations at multiple points within a logical network datapath, using a network management tool to initiate packet tracing and capture operations, correlating data across logical and physical network components, and issuing flow-specific packet capture commands to physical components for efficient data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If administrators manually access multiple components to initiate packet captures, then packet data can be captured at various locations, but the work required is excessive and requires direct access to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network management tool as an intermediary that mediates between the administrator and the multiple network components. This tool automatically manages packet capture operations across distributed components, eliminating the need for administrators to manually access each component while still enabling comprehensive packet capture at multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the network management tool automatically performs packet capture operations without requiring administrator intervention at each component. The tool autonomously initiates, coordinates, and collects packet capture data from multiple distributed components, reducing both manual effort and time requirements.
2Loss of information
If packet capture operations are performed at multiple locations, then comprehensive network data is obtained, but the complexity of managing multiple components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network management tool is designed as a universal platform that can manage packet capture operations across multiple different types of network components and locations. This multi-functional tool consolidates the management of diverse components into a single interface, reducing complexity while maintaining the ability to capture comprehensive packet data from multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex task of multi-location packet capture into manageable components: the network management tool handles coordination and data aggregation, while individual network components perform localized packet capture. This segmentation distributes the complexity, allowing comprehensive data collection without requiring the administrator to manage all components directly.
3Loss of information
If administrators access packet data from multiple logical networks, then complete network visibility is achieved, but the requirement for direct component access increases workload
Solution Approach 1:
The network management tool serves as an intermediary that provides centralized access to packet data from multiple logical networks. Administrators interact with this single tool rather than directly accessing multiple network components across different logical networks, achieving complete network visibility while simplifying the access process.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a method that performs a packet tracing operation for a particular data flow between endpoints of a logical network to generate a representation of logical network components along a path between the endpoints. In response to a selection of at least two of the logical network components, the method automatically generates separate packet capture operations for execution by physical components that implement each of the selected logical network components. The method uses packet header information to correlate packet data from the separate packet capture operations.