Selective Loopback and Continue in Packet Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for fault detection and isolation in packet-based networks, such as 'Ping' and IEEE 802.3ah payload loopback schemes, are inadequate for detecting payload-related failures and often disrupt network operations, as they require looping back all frames without allowing destination nodes to receive data or operate normally during diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for loop-back and continue in packet-based networks that involves a loop-back node determining whether to loop back specific frames, modifying their headers to distinguish them as diagnostic frames, and forwarding them to a diagnostic node for analysis while continuing to send original frames to their destination, allowing selective loopback and maintaining normal network operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional loopback schemes (e.g., IEEE 802.3ah) are used to diagnose faults in packet-based networks, then fault detection capability is improved, but network operations are disrupted because all frames must be looped back and destination nodes cannot receive data during diagnostics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the loopback process by introducing a diagnostic header that identifies specific frames as loopback candidates. Instead of looping back all frames indiscriminately, the system segments the traffic flow into diagnostic frames (with the special header) and normal data frames, allowing selective loopback of only the identified diagnostic frames while permitting normal data transmission to continue uninterrupted to destination nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diagnostic header as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the loopback requirement and normal data transmission. This header acts as a marker that enables network devices to distinguish diagnostic frames from normal data frames, allowing the loopback function to operate on specific frames without affecting the flow of normal data to destination nodes, thus maintaining network operation continuity during diagnostics.
2Measurement precision
If all frames are looped back for comprehensive fault diagnostics, then measurement precision of network faults is improved, but network bandwidth is consumed and normal data transmission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing selective loopback based on the diagnostic header identification. Instead of performing excessive loopback of all frames, the system performs loopback only on frames that carry the diagnostic header, achieving sufficient fault diagnostics precision while consuming minimal network bandwidth and avoiding blocking of normal data transmission.
3Ease of operation
If conventional Ping technique is used to monitor connectivity in packet-based networks, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision of connectivity quality is insufficient for detecting payload-related failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating diagnostic frames that are copies of normal data frames but with an added diagnostic header. These copied frames traverse the network path and can be looped back for analysis, allowing the system to maintain the simplicity of operation (similar to Ping) while achieving higher measurement precision in detecting payload-related failures, as the diagnostic header enables identification and analysis of actual data payload transmission issues.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for transferring data in a packet-based network. The method includes a step for receiving at least a first data frame. The first data frame is associated with a first origination node and a first destination node. The method includes a step for processing information associated with the first date frame. The method includes a step for determining whether the first data frame satisfies at least one predetermined condition based on at least information associated with the first data frame. If the first data frame is determined to satisfy the at least one predetermined condition, the method includes a step for providing a second data frame based on at least information associated with the first data frame, where the second data frame is associated with a second origination node and a second destination node.