Path-Addressed SUT Testing for Precise Network Traffic Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional testing platforms face challenges in precisely directing test traffic to specific areas of interest (AOIs) within a data center or network without significant modifications, especially when destination-based routing is used, making it difficult to simulate and evaluate network conditions effectively.

Innovation Solution

Implementing path addressing techniques that allow test systems to generate test packets with encoded path information, enabling precise control over the route taken by packets to reach a destination, thereby simulating network conditions and evaluating the system under test (SUT) performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If destination-based routing is used in conventional testing platforms, then routing simplicity is maintained, but the ability to precisely direct test traffic to specific areas of interest is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of directing test traffic to areas of interestVSAvoidcomplexity of routing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The routing mechanism is segmented into two parts: standard destination-based routing for normal traffic, and path addressing for test traffic. This allows the system to maintain simple destination-based routing while adding targeted path control capabilities specifically for testing scenarios without overhauling the entire routing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A path addressing field is introduced as an intermediary mechanism in packet headers. This field acts as a mediator that provides additional routing information for test packets, enabling precise direction to areas of interest while leaving the core destination-based routing mechanism unchanged for production traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If path addressing is implemented to precisely control packet routes, then the ability to simulate network conditions at specific areas is improved, but the complexity of packet header processing is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility in simulating network conditionsVSAvoidcomplexity of packet processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The path addressing capability is applied locally and selectively - only test packets include the path addressing field, while production packets use standard destination-based routing. This allows the system to gain versatility in simulating network conditions at specific areas of interest without requiring all packet processing logic to handle the added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The path addressing field provides more routing information than traditionally needed (excessive action), but this is only applied to test traffic where such precision is required. The system performs partial implementation by maintaining both the new path addressing capability and the existing destination-based routing, allowing selective use based on traffic type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If test traffic is directed to specific areas of interest using path addressing, then test scenario accuracy is improved, but the modification requirements for existing networks are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of test scenarioVSAvoidease of network deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The path addressing mechanism is designed with multi-functionality to serve both test and production traffic needs. The same routing infrastructure handles both destination-based routing for production and path-addressed routing for tests, reducing the need for separate test network modifications and enabling accurate test scenarios within existing network deployments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250279953A1Methods, systems and computer readable media for testing a system under test (SUT) using path addressing

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A method for testing a system under test (SUT) using path addressing, the method comprising: at a test system implemented using at least one processor: generating test traffic for testing a SUT, wherein the test traffic includes a first set of test packets for triggering a test scenario or event at an area of interest (AOI) associated with the SUT, wherein at least one test packet of the first set of test packets includes encoded path addressing information indicating hops or links that the packet traverses prior to reaching a packet destination, wherein one of the hops or links includes the AOI; sending, via or toward the SUT, the test traffic; receiving, via one or more test related entities, test feedback information regarding the test traffic, the AOI, or the SUT; analyzing, using the test feedback information, performance of the SUT; and generating test results including at least one performance metric associated with the SUT.