Proxy-Aware Trace Message for Network Path Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional route tracing utilities fail to detect all nodes in a network path, particularly those using proxies, leading to inaccurate latency measurements and invalid bandwidth guarantees due to proxy redirection.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that generates and transmits proxy trace messages following the path of application messages, allowing detection of proxies and accurate latency measurement by inserting node identifiers and incrementing counters within the messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional route tracing utilities (TraceRoute, ICMP echo, ping) are used to trace network paths, then the tracing process is simple and follows direct client-to-server communication, but proxies located within the communication path are not identified and latency measurements are inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy-aware trace message mechanism that acts as an intermediary between conventional tracing utilities and proxy nodes. The trace messages are specifically designed to be intercepted and processed by proxies, allowing them to insert their identifiers and latency data into the trace path. This intermediary mechanism enables accurate detection of proxies and their contribution to overall latency without requiring complete redesign of the tracing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the trace message parameters by incorporating proxy-specific fields such as proxy identifiers, insertion timestamps, and hop counters. These parameter changes allow trace messages to carry additional information about proxy nodes encountered in the path, enabling precise measurement of proxy-induced latency while maintaining compatibility with standard tracing protocols through selective parameter inclusion.
2Productivity
If proxies intercept and redirect application messages through different paths, then traffic management and caching capabilities are improved, but conventional route tracing messages follow different paths and do not reflect actual application message paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network path tracing into distinct phases: direct path tracing for non-proxy hops and proxy-intercepted path tracing for proxy nodes. By dividing the trace message handling into these segments, the system can accurately track which portions of the path are subject to proxy redirection, preserving complete path information despite the heterogeneous nature of the network path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where proxies insert their identifiers and latency measurements back into the trace message during interception. This feedback loop ensures that the trace message contains accurate information about the actual path taken by application messages, including all proxy nodes and their contribution to overall latency, thereby preventing loss of path information.
3Ease of manufacture
If bandwidth guarantees are calculated based on direct client-to-server path, then calculation simplicity is maintained, but bandwidth guarantees are invalid when actual communication path follows different path due to proxy redirection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary path discovery using proxy-aware trace messages before bandwidth calculation. By first identifying all proxy nodes and measuring their individual latency contributions through the trace mechanism, the system prepares accurate path information in advance. This preliminary action ensures that subsequent bandwidth guarantees are based on the actual communication path including proxies, maintaining both accuracy and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for identifying a network path between a source node and a destination node are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes generating a proxy trace message at the source node, transmitting the proxy trace message over the network path towards the destination node, and receiving the proxy trace message at the source node. The proxy trace message follows a path taken by application messages transmitted by the source node and the received proxy trace message includes addresses of the destination node and proxies in the network path.