Network Device QoS Bottleneck Identification via Sample Stream Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
IP telephony deployments face poor voice quality due to inadequate network capacity and faulty infrastructure, leading to issues like packet loss, delay, and buffer overruns, which are difficult to identify and address in complex networks.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a computer system with modules for monitoring network devices, generating and transmitting sample real-time data streams, comparing quality against criteria, and determining contributing network devices to poor QoS, using modules like monitoring, generating, comparing, detecting, and determining to identify WAN edge routers causing bottlenecks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If network capacity is increased to handle more IP telephony users, then service coverage and subscriber capacity are improved, but network complexity and difficulty of identifying problematic devices increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network monitoring task by identifying and isolating specific problematic devices (WAN edge routers, switches, firewalls) from the overall network. It divides the complex network into manageable segments, monitoring each device's performance metrics separately to identify QoS degradation sources, thereby reducing the complexity of troubleshooting in large-scale networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring system that acts as a mediator between network devices and administrators. This intermediary collects performance data from multiple devices, processes the information, and presents actionable reports, simplifying the complex task of identifying problematic devices in large networks.
2Measurement precision
If monitoring of all network devices is performed to identify QoS issues, then measurement precision of QoS degradation is improved, but loss of time for troubleshooting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring performance metrics (packet loss, delay, jitter, buffer overruns) and pre-identifying devices that exceed threshold values. This proactive approach allows administrators to focus troubleshooting efforts only on devices that have already been flagged as problematic, significantly reducing troubleshooting time while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where performance data from network devices is continuously collected, analyzed, and fed back to administrators through structured reports. This feedback loop enables rapid identification of QoS degradation sources by highlighting devices that require attention, reducing the time needed for manual investigation while maintaining precise measurement.
3Reliability
If comprehensive monitoring of network devices is implemented, then reliability of QoS identification is improved, but device complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables network devices to self-monitor and self-report their performance metrics (packet loss, delay, jitter, buffer overrun counts). The devices automatically generate and transmit their own status information without requiring manual intervention or complex external monitoring infrastructure, thereby maintaining high reliability of QoS identification while simplifying operational procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent monitors changes in key performance parameters (packet loss rate, delay variation, jitter, buffer utilization) to identify QoS degradation. By focusing on these critical parameter changes rather than requiring comprehensive analysis of all device operations, the system achieves reliable QoS identification with simplified monitoring and reduced operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus to analyze real-time data transmissions across a network is described. The method may comprise transmitting a sample data stream between source and destination endpoints across a test data path which includes network devices. The method may then compare a measured quality of the received sample data stream with pre-defined quality criteria associated with the network. If the measured quality fails to meet the pre-defined quality criteria, the network devices in the test data path may be identified, device performance data may be obtained, and a network report may be generated based on the device performance data. The device performance data may comprise processor utilization, memory utilization, bandwidth over subscription, buffer over run, and/or a number of non-error packets that are discarded at the network device.