Probe Path Management via Alternate Routing Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional networks face challenges in accurately measuring performance parameters of probe packets due to limitations in routing paths and return paths not matching user data paths, leading to inaccurate performance results.
Innovation Solution
The use of alternate routing tables to select specific exits for probe packets and configuring the source address as a public address ensures that probe packets follow paths that closely match user data paths, allowing for accurate performance measurement and efficient path management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional routing tables are used to forward probe packets, then routing is simple and automatic, but the return path does not match the user data path leading to inaccurate performance measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The routing table is segmented into multiple tables (first routing table for user data, second routing table for probe packets). This allows independent optimization of each table's function - the first table maintains conventional routing for user data, while the second table is specifically configured to ensure probe packets follow the same path as user data, enabling accurate performance measurements without complicating the overall routing system
Solution Approach 2:
A routing table selection mechanism acts as an intermediary that determines which routing table to use based on packet type. This intermediary layer coordinates between the two routing tables, ensuring probe packets use the second table while user data uses the first table, thereby achieving path matching for accurate measurements without requiring complex modifications to either table individually
2Measurement precision
If probe packets use public source addresses to match user data paths, then performance measurement accuracy improves, but address management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Public source addresses are pre-configured and bound to specific exits before probe packets are generated. This preliminary configuration ensures that when probe packets are sent through a particular exit, they automatically use the corresponding public address, guaranteeing that the return path matches the user data path through that exit. This eliminates the need for complex real-time address selection and simplifies the overall address management process
Data Source
AI summary
A technique manages paths taken by probe packets sent from a source to a target of a computer network. The novel path management technique enables each probe packet i) to be transferred onto a path of the computer network via a specific exit at the source, ii) to be returned to the source, and iii) to follow a path that closely matches the path followed by user data through the network. Specifically, one or more alternate routing tables are used by the source to select specific exits for the probe packets. Additionally, the source address of the probe packet is configured as a public address (i.e., reachable and used by actual user data traffic) to ensure that the packet is returned to the originating source and follows a path through the computer network that closely matches the path followed by user data traffic.