Reverse Traceroute Proxy for Asymmetric Network Path Diagnostics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Network diagnostic tools like traceroute primarily provide information on the forward path from a source to a destination, failing to accurately capture the return path, which can lead to incorrect assumptions about network issues and inaccurate latency data due to asymmetric forward and return routes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a reverse traceroute proxy mechanism within a destination network that receives traceroute messages and loops them back to the source, enabling the collection of both forward and return path information, thereby providing complete network path tracing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional traceroute utility is used, then forward path information is obtained, but return path information is missing leading to incomplete network diagnostics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective gateway as an intermediary component deployed at the destination network. This gateway intercepts traceroute packets, modifies their destination addresses to point back to the source, and reflects them through the network path. The intermediary enables return path tracing without requiring changes to the source traceroute utility or complex modifications to existing network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional traceroute approach by having the destination network initiate the return path tracing instead of the source. By reflecting traceroute packets back through the network path to the source, the system captures return path information that would otherwise be inaccessible, effectively tracing the route in reverse direction.
2Measurement precision
If asymmetric forward and return routes are assumed identical, then diagnostic simplicity is maintained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adapts the traceroute mechanism to account for asymmetric routing by separately capturing and analyzing forward and return path information. The system adjusts its operation based on the actual network conditions, allowing different path traces for different directions while maintaining a unified diagnostic interface for the user.
Data Source
AI summary
A reverse network tracing mechanism is described. In an embodiment, a network information request is received that is addressed to a predetermined destination. It is determined that the network information request has an expired timer and a message is returned indicating that a return network path routing procedure has been initiated. After determining that the network information request has an unexpired timer, contents of the network information request are modified to enable identification of at least a portion of the return path from the predetermined destination to a source address of the network information request.