Service Tree Duplication for Multicast Packet Loss Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Identifying the source of packet loss in multicast flow communications across service provider networks is challenging due to the lack of per-flow visibility within tunnels, leading to prolonged service performance and user experience degradation as intensive monitoring efforts are undertaken to determine the failure point.
Innovation Solution
Establish a service tree that follows the same path as the multicast parent tree, duplicate the flow, determine its performance characteristics, and associate these with the multicast parent tree to provide per-flow visibility and rapid failure identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If multiple multicast flows are aggregated into a tunnel for communication across service provider network, then network resource utilization is improved, but per-flow visibility is lost making packet loss identification difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the aggregated tunnel traffic by creating separate service trees for individual multicast flows. Each service tree carries a specific flow and allows independent monitoring, enabling per-flow visibility while maintaining the benefits of aggregation. The head-end router divides the tunnel into multiple service trees, each with its own performance monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces service trees as intermediary structures between the aggregated tunnel and individual multicast flows. These service trees act as mediators that preserve flow identification information and enable performance monitoring without disrupting the aggregated tunnel structure. The service trees provide a layer of abstraction that maintains visibility into individual flows.
2Measurement precision
If intensive monitoring and brute force efforts are undertaken to identify failure point by trial and error, then packet loss source identification is attempted, but service performance degradation persists for weeks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous performance monitoring with feedback mechanisms at each router along the service tree path. Each router reports performance characteristics (packet loss, latency, jitter) back to the head-end router, enabling real-time identification of failure points without trial and error. This feedback loop allows immediate detection and localization of packet loss sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes service trees and performance monitoring in advance, before failures occur. By pre-configuring the service tree structure and performance measurement mechanisms, the system is ready to immediately identify failure points when packet loss occurs, eliminating the need for time-consuming trial and error diagnostics.
3Measurement precision
If a service tree is established to provide per-flow visibility, then packet loss source identification is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the service tree structure multi-functional by using it both for traffic forwarding and performance monitoring. The same service tree infrastructure that carries multicast flows also collects and reports performance characteristics, eliminating the need for separate monitoring systems and reducing overall network complexity despite the added service tree layer.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, an example process herein may comprise: causing, responsive to a triggering event, establishment of a service tree that follows a same path as a multicast parent tree through a data communication network to one or more intended recipient devices; causing a duplication of a particular flow from the multicast parent tree to the service tree; causing a determination of a performance characteristic of the particular flow through the service tree; and causing an association of the performance characteristic with the multicast parent tree.