RSVP Probe Packets for IP Media Path Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UDP traceroute methods are ineffective in detecting network problems for IP media streams as they do not necessarily travel along the media path and cannot pass through firewalls, making them unreliable for analyzing the entire media path.
Innovation Solution
Nodes in an IP network receive RSVP probe packets configured to travel over specific IP media paths, causing intermediate nodes to send media path reports to a logging system, which reconstructs the network topology for debugging purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UDP traceroute packets are used to identify network problems, then network path identification can be performed, but the packets do not necessarily travel along the media path and cannot pass through firewalls, making the identification unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses RSVP packets as intermediaries that are already part of the media path establishment process. These packets traverse the same path as media traffic and are processed by intermediate nodes to generate media path reports, thereby reliably tracking the actual media path without requiring special traceroute packets or bypassing firewalls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the media path tracking functionality by having intermediate nodes generate media path reports based on RSVP packet processing. This copying approach allows the system to track the media path using existing RSVP infrastructure rather than requiring separate traceroute mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If UDP traceroute is used to probe network paths, then path identification can be attempted, but the method is non-intrusive and does not require modifying existing media flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes RSVP packets serve multiple functions: they continue to perform their original resource reservation function while simultaneously enabling media path tracking through the generation of media path reports. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate traceroute operations and integrates path detection into existing media flow handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own RSVP packet processing mechanism to perform path tracking. Intermediate nodes that already process RSVP packets for resource reservation now automatically generate media path reports as part of their normal operation, eliminating the need for external traceroute probes.
3Productivity
If traditional traceroute methods are used, then network diagnostics can be performed, but the packets may not travel the entire path through firewalls and the identified nodes may not be used in the actual media stream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses RSVP packets as intermediaries that naturally traverse the media path and are processed by intermediate nodes. These packets serve as reliable mediators for path identification because they are already part of the media establishment process, ensuring they travel the exact same path as actual media traffic and are not blocked by firewalls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having intermediate nodes generate media path reports based on processing RSVP packets. These reports provide feedback about the actual media path taken, allowing the system to accurately identify nodes and links used in the media stream rather than relying on speculative traceroute results.
Data Source
AI summary
Nodes in an Internet Protocol (IP) network receive probe packets configured to travel over particular IP media paths. The probe packets cause the network nodes to send media path reports to a logging system. The media path reports contain information identifying the different nodes in the media path. The logging system can reconstruct the network topology of a particular media path from the media path reports which can then be used for debugging purposes. In one embodiment the probe packets are Resource Reservation Setup Protocol (RSVP) packets configured for media path probing.