Network Probe Packet Analysis for Device Performance Evaluation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ICT systems face challenges in accurately evaluating the performance of network devices within a network segment, as current technologies can estimate communication speed but fail to assess processing capacity effectively, making it difficult to evaluate the entire network's performance accurately.

Innovation Solution

A measuring apparatus and method that transmit probe packets to a destination-communication apparatus, measure response times, analyze packets, and output results to calculate communication capacity and performance, including buffer size and bandwidth, enabling accurate evaluation of network devices within a segment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If communication speed estimation technology is used to control throughput, then communication efficiency is improved, but processing capacity of network devices cannot be evaluated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing capacity evaluation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network performance evaluation into two distinct parts: communication speed (bandwidth) measurement and processing capacity measurement. By using separate probe packets with different characteristics (data packets for bandwidth, control packets for processing capacity), the system can independently evaluate each aspect without interference, thus resolving the contradiction between improving communication efficiency and accurately measuring processing capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces control packets as intermediary elements that mediate between the measurement apparatus and the network device. These control packets specifically target the processing capacity evaluation by interacting with the network device's control unit, allowing accurate measurement of processing capacity without being affected by communication speed variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If network performance is evaluated based on communication speed only, then bandwidth measurement is simple, but overall network performance cannot be accurately assessed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement method simplicityVSAvoidoverall network performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the performance evaluation into segmented components: bandwidth measurement using data packets and processing capacity measurement using control packets. This segmentation allows each component to be measured with appropriate methods while maintaining overall system simplicity, resolving the contradiction between measurement simplicity and comprehensive accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to perform both bandwidth measurement and processing capacity measurement through a unified system. By using the same apparatus to send both data packets and control packets, the system achieves comprehensive evaluation without requiring separate complex measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If probe packets are used to measure communication capacity, then bandwidth can be determined, but processing capacity and buffer size cannot be measured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capacityVSAvoidprocessing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces control packets as intermediary elements that specifically interact with the network device's control unit to measure processing capacity. These control packets are distinct from data packets used for bandwidth measurement, allowing independent and accurate measurement of processing capacity through the mediating role of control packets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the packet type parameter from data packets to control packets when measuring processing capacity. By switching packet types with different characteristics (control packets containing specific identification information), the system can measure different parameters (bandwidth vs. processing capacity) using the same measurement apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240113955A1Measuring apparatus, method for measuring, and recorded program medium

Publication Date: 2024.04.04 NEC CORP

AI summary

A measuring apparatus including: a transmission part transmitting a probe packet wherein a communication apparatus to be measured is arranged in a communication path destined for a destination-communication apparatus, a reception part receiving a response packet from destination-communication apparatus in response to the probe packet, a time-measuring part measuring time, an analyzing part analyzing the response packet, an output part outputting an analysis result, the analyzing part calculating analysis result based on measuring result of the time-measuring part.