Relay Node Probing for IP Network QoS Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Evaluating the quality of service in network paths without quality-of-service guarantees is inefficient, particularly in telecommunications networks like the Internet, where applications like telephony and streaming require timely and accurate assessment of bandwidth, error rate, and latency.
Innovation Solution
A relay node, or 'ricochet' node, probes a representative node within a subnetwork to assess network conditions, reducing overhead by using existing probe responses to compute quality-of-service measurements for end-to-end paths, allowing for efficient evaluation of network paths without altering routing tables or router functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional quality-of-service evaluation methods are used to assess network paths without guarantees, then comprehensive measurement of bandwidth, error rate, and latency can be achieved, but the evaluation process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces relay nodes as intermediaries that perform quality-of-service measurements on behalf of endpoint nodes. These relay nodes probe subnetworks and provide performance data without requiring direct probing between all endpoint pairs, thereby reducing evaluation time while maintaining measurement accuracy through cooperative relay participation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses probe responses from representative nodes within subnetworks as copies that can be used to assess network conditions for multiple endpoint nodes. By probing a single representative node and using its responses to represent the entire subnetwork, the system reduces the number of required probes while maintaining comprehensive coverage
2Reliability
If multiple network paths are evaluated to maintain quality-of-service for sensitive applications, then application reliability is improved, but the complexity of evaluating and managing these paths increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes relay nodes multi-functional by enabling them to serve multiple purposes: they relay traffic packets between subnetworks, probe subnetworks for quality-of-service measurements, and provide performance data for path evaluation. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated measurement infrastructure and simplifies the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where relay nodes receive quality-of-service measurements from probed subnetworks and use this information to evaluate end-to-end path performance. This feedback loop allows the system to dynamically assess path quality without requiring complex centralized control, as each relay node autonomously processes and utilizes measurement data
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive probing of all subnetwork nodes is performed to ensure accurate quality-of-service assessment, then measurement completeness is improved, but probing overhead and network traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by probing only representative nodes within each subnetwork rather than all nodes. Each subnetwork is probed at a localized representative point, and the results are used to infer performance characteristics for the entire subnetwork. This approach maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing the scope and overhead of probing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by performing probing only on representative nodes rather than exhaustive probing of all nodes. This partial probing approach is sufficient to obtain representative performance data for the subnetwork, avoiding the excessive action of probing every node while still achieving the required measurement completeness for quality-of-service assessment
Data Source
AI summary
A technique is disclosed that evaluates a network path between (i) a first node in a first subnetwork of endpoint nodes, such as IP phones, and (ii) a second node in a second subnetwork. A “ricochet” node in the network path evaluates the path by probing one or both subnetworks, where the ricochet node acts as relay for traffic packets being transmitted between the two subnetworks. A given relay has only to probe a single, representative node within a subnetwork at any given time in order to obtain performance data that is representative of the subnetwork overall. By probing the representative node, the relay is able to acquire an assessment of network conditions that is valid for the path between the relay and any endpoint in the subnetwork. As a result, the disclosed technique reduces the probing overhead when many endpoint nodes on a given subnetwork are simultaneously active and experiencing adverse network conditions.