Reprogrammable Network Test Device for Non-Intrusive Traffic Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network testing methodologies interrupt live traffic, limiting their ability to test networks without causing degradation and requiring dedicated equipment at specific locations, which restricts their versatility and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A test device and method utilizing a programmable logic device with a static and reprogrammable partition, allowing for minimal impact on live traffic by injecting proprietary traffic sequences without interrupting other flows, and enabling remote management and reprogramming, thus providing comprehensive testing capabilities within existing network infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated test equipment is installed at specific locations throughout the network, then testing capability is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The test device is designed to perform multiple functions including traffic flow reception, proprietary traffic injection, network monitoring, and device reprogramming. By integrating these diverse testing capabilities into a single universal device, the patent eliminates the need for multiple dedicated testing equipment at different network locations, thereby reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining comprehensive testing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The test device includes a reprogrammable partition that allows it to be dynamically reconfigured for different testing scenarios. The device can receive reprogramming data and autonomously adapt its functionality, eliminating the need for external reconfiguration equipment or manual intervention, thus simplifying the overall testing infrastructure.
2Measurement precision
If test sequences are injected into the network, then testing accuracy is improved, but network degradation occurs due to traffic interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The test device acts as an intermediary by injecting proprietary test traffic sequences into the network traffic flow without interrupting live traffic. The queue manager mediates between live traffic flows and test traffic, allowing both to coexist. This enables accurate network testing while preventing harmful traffic interruption that would cause network degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system injects test traffic sequences as partial actions within the overall traffic flow rather than replacing or interrupting the entire traffic stream. The queue manager prioritizes live traffic while allowing test traffic to be injected in controlled portions, thereby maintaining testing accuracy without causing excessive network degradation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the test device is reprogrammed to adapt to various applications, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test device is segmented into a static partition and a reprogrammable partition. The static partition contains fixed functionality for basic operations, while the reprogrammable partition can be dynamically configured for different testing applications. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to various applications through software reconfiguration of only the reprogrammable portion, without increasing the complexity of the entire device structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method and test device for performing testing in a network conveying a plurality of traffic flows. At the test device, receiving traffic flows through a first interface of the test device on a first segment and forwarding the received plurality of traffic flows towards a second segment of the network through a second interface. At the test device, receiving a test request directed to an address of a test module and, in response to the test request, causing a sequence of proprietary traffic to be injected on the second segment. A reprogrammable test device comprising a networked test module at least in part on a reprogrammable partition of a programmable logic device and a reprogramming module, on a static partition of the programmable logic device, for reprogramming at least a portion of the reprogrammable partition implementing the test module in accordance with reprogramming data received at the test device.