Network Probe Packet Loss Detection Algorithm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting end-to-end packet loss and retransmission in network environments are inefficient, particularly due to high computational resource requirements and the need for extensive hardware, limiting their scalability and accuracy, especially when probes are not near the sender.
Innovation Solution
A more efficient algorithm that correlates sequence and acknowledgement numbers in both directions, using fewer state variables and eliminating the need for maintaining lists of previously seen sequence numbers, allows for robust end-to-end packet loss detection regardless of probe location, scalable for real-time monitoring across numerous connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to detect packet loss and retransmission, then detection capability is achieved, but computational resource requirements and hardware complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential detection logic from complex conventional methods by focusing only on correlating sequence and acknowledgement numbers. This extraction eliminates the need for maintaining extensive lists of previously seen sequence numbers and reduces the detection mechanism to a streamlined algorithm that achieves reliable packet loss detection with minimal computational resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection algorithm is segmented into distinct functional components: receiving packets with sequence numbers, sending acknowledgments with acknowledgement numbers, and correlating these numbers to detect packet loss. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently and efficiently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If probes are positioned away from the sender, then network coverage is improved, but detection accuracy and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal detection mechanism that functions reliably regardless of probe location. By using sequence and acknowledgement number correlation, the system achieves location-independent packet loss detection, allowing probes to be positioned anywhere in the network path while maintaining consistent detection accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If extensive lists of previously seen sequence numbers are maintained, then detection accuracy is improved, but memory usage and computational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for detection by using sequence and acknowledgement number correlation. This approach eliminates the need to store and process extensive lists of previously seen sequence numbers, achieving precise packet loss detection with minimal memory and computational resources.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of maintaining complete lists of all sequence numbers, the patent uses a partial approach by only tracking the correlation between sequence numbers and acknowledgement numbers. This partial action is sufficient for detecting packet loss while significantly reducing the quantity of data that must be stored and processed.
Data Source
AI summary
One example method is provided for detecting end-to-end packet loss and retransmission occurring in a connection of a network environment. The method can include monitoring packets transmitted from a sender to a receiver and acknowledgement packets from the receiver to the sender using a probe located in a path between the sender and the receiver in the network environment; identifying, by the probe, a first packet as a possibly-retransmitted packet if the first packet has a fall back sequence number; classifying, by the probe, the first packet as a retransmitted packet using one or more conditions based, at least in part, on one or more of the following: characteristic(s) of the possibly-retransmitted packet, characteristic(s) of sequence numbers observed by the probe, and characteristic(s) of acknowledgements observed by the probe.