SD-WAN Options Template Transport With Segmentation and Acknowledgement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional template-based network flow monitoring solutions employ a push protocol without acknowledgement, leading to unreliable packet delivery and lack of error correction, which hampers efficient network monitoring and security analysis.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a pull mode with acknowledgement by a collector device for downloading updated options templates, using a new options template format with Set ID=4 and security protocol (e.g., DTLS) to ensure reliable delivery and partial/partial updates, and incorporating flags to manage segment transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a push protocol without acknowledgement is used for template delivery, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of packet delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an acknowledgement mechanism where the collector device sends ACK packets to confirm successful receipt of template packets from the exporter device. This feedback loop ensures reliable delivery by allowing the exporter to verify that templates were received correctly, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by adding only the necessary minimal feedback elements.
2Reliability
If UDP protocol is used for template transmission, then the speed of transmission is improved and device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of delivery deteriorates due to lack of error correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a segmentation mechanism that divides templates into multiple packets with sequence numbers, and an acknowledgement system that confirms receipt before the exporter device proceeds. This beforehand cushioning approach ensures that if packets are lost or corrupted during UDP transmission, the system can detect and request retransmission, maintaining reliability without requiring the overhead of full TCP error correction.
3Reliability
If full options templates are downloaded periodically, then the network monitoring reliability is improved, but the loss of time and productivity deteriorates due to periodic interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the options template into multiple packets for transmission. The collector device can download template segments as needed rather than waiting for complete periodic updates. This segmentation allows for more efficient, on-demand template retrieval, reducing the time loss associated with periodic full template downloads while maintaining reliability through the acknowledgement mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for improving options templates are described. The techniques may be performed at least in part by a network edge device and may include receiving, from a network collector device, a request for an options template download, the request indicating whether a full options template or partial options template are requested. Based at least in part on whether a full options template or a partial options template are requested, the method may also include, transmitting a response to the network collector device including a segment of the options template, wherein each segment includes a flag indicating whether the segment is a last segment of at least one more segment will follow. Finally, the method may include receiving from the collector device and in response to transmitting a segment having the flag indicating the segment is a last segment, an acknowledgement that the full options template has been received.