Quality Degradation Point Estimation via Test Flow Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating quality degradation points in networks face challenges in precision and efficiency, particularly in identifying the link causing quality degradation, with high search costs and low probability of detecting the correct link.
Innovation Solution
A quality degradation point estimating method that determines a test flow set to efficiently search for and estimate quality degradation points by setting test flows through partial directed link sets, using continuous directed links and intervals, and adjusting Time To Live values to optimize route searching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If test flows are configured to pass through only specific targeted links, then the precision of quality degradation point estimation is improved, but the search cost increases and the probability of discovering the correct test flow decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network links into multiple intervals along the communication route. Instead of testing each individual link separately (which would require searching for specific test flows for each link), the system divides the route into intervals and configures test flows to cover multiple intervals simultaneously. This segmentation approach reduces the overall search cost while maintaining the ability to precisely identify quality degradation points through interval-based analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of analysis by using Time To Live (TTL) values to control test flow behavior. By varying TTL values, the system can make test flows expire at different intervals along the route, creating a temporal dimension for link testing. This allows the system to efficiently determine which interval contains the quality degradation point without requiring separate test flows for each individual link, thus reducing search cost while maintaining estimation precision.
2Reliability
If multiple test flows are used to cover different links, then the reliability of quality degradation detection is improved, but the complexity of route searching at each node increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes test flows universal by designing them to pass through multiple links and intervals simultaneously. Instead of creating specialized test flows for each individual link (which would increase route searching complexity at each node), the system uses a smaller set of multi-functional test flows that can detect quality degradation across multiple links. The TTL-based interval control allows these universal test flows to reliably detect degradation points without requiring complex node-level route searching.
3Measurement precision
If test flows are restricted to pass through only one specific link, then the measurement precision for that link is improved, but the productivity of the estimation system decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by configuring test flows to continuously traverse multiple intervals along the communication route. Instead of requiring separate testing operations for each link (which would reduce productivity), the system uses continuous test flows that pass through multiple intervals simultaneously. The TTL-based interval control allows these continuous flows to provide precise link-level measurements while maintaining high system productivity through efficient resource utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A quality degradation point estimating method for estimating a quality degradation point in a directed link set through which a communication flow passed is provided. The quality degradation point estimating method has: (A) determining a test flow set for estimating a quality degradation point; and (B) estimating the quality degradation point in the directed link set by sending the test flow set to the network. The (A) step includes a step of setting the flow, which passes through a partial set as a part of the directed link set, as the test flow and adding the set test flow to the test flow set. The test flow is sent from the test terminal on the network to a predetermined node in the partial set. A response is obtained at the predetermined node, and the response is sent from the predetermined node to a predetermined terminal.