Network Scanner RTT Timeout Tuning for Variable Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network scanning tools require manually configured timeout parameters, which can lead to inefficient scanning times due to inappropriate settings, potentially causing slow adjustments or probe re-transmissions, and there is a need for systems and methods to optimize these parameters based on historical network conditions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing network scanner timeouts that dynamically adjust based on historical network conditions by using smoothed RTT values and variance to set initial RTT-timeout parameters, reducing the time spent waiting for responses from unresponsive ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed timeout parameter is used in network scanning tools, then the configuration is simple, but the scanning efficiency is reduced due to inappropriate settings causing slow adjustments or probe re-transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic timeout parameters that automatically adjust based on historical network conditions and probe responses. Instead of using a fixed timeout value, the system modifies timeout parameters in real-time during scanning operations, allowing the network scanning tool to adapt to varying network conditions and improve scanning efficiency without manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines appropriate timeout parameter values by analyzing historical scan data and network conditions without requiring manual configuration by users. The network scanning tool self-adjusts its timeout parameters based on learned patterns from previous scans, eliminating the need for users to manually optimize these parameters while maintaining high scanning efficiency.
2Reliability
If the timeout parameter is increased to wait for slow responses, then more responsive ports are detected, but the total scanning time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different timeout parameter values to different scan targets or network segments based on their specific characteristics and historical performance. Instead of using a uniform timeout value for all targets, the system tailors timeout parameters locally to each network condition, allowing accurate detection of responsive ports while minimizing unnecessary waiting time for unresponsive targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes timeout parameter values during scanning operations based on real-time network conditions and historical data analysis. By adjusting the timeout parameter according to the specific network context and target characteristics, the system achieves reliable port detection without uniformly increasing the timeout for all scans, thus reducing overall scanning time.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include systems and methods to implement network scanner timeouts based at least in part on historical network conditions. The implementing comprises initiating, using one or more network scanners and according to a first set of timeout parameters, a first security assessment of one or more scan targets in a network, wherein the first set of timeout parameters comprises a first initial round trip time (RTT)-timeout parameter value to which a dynamic RTT-timeout value is initially set. The implementing comprises determining a first set of RTT statistics for the first security assessment. The implementing comprises determining, based at least in part on the first set of RTT statistics, a second set of timeout parameters for a second security assessment of the one or more scan targets. The implementing comprises initiating, according to the second set of timeout parameters, the second security assessment of the one or more scan targets.