SRv6 Micro-segment Identifier Instructions for Network Path Tracing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional network telemetry and delay measurement solutions face issues such as significant overhead, hardware limitations, and compatibility problems due to excessive bit usage for path tracing and delay measurement data, leading to increased network utilization and dropped packets.
Innovation Solution
Implementing short interface identifiers and timestamps, which reduce the overhead and hardware complexity by using 8-bit or 12-bit IDs and timestamps, and adapting the data collection based on network type and latency precision, allowing for efficient path tracing and delay measurement without requiring full 64-bit timestamps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional 64-bit timestamps and 128-bit device identifiers are used for path tracing and delay measurement, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but network overhead and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of timestamp precision from 64-bit to a variable precision format (e.g., 8-bit, 12-bit, or 16-bit) that is sufficient for the specific network scenario. This parameter change reduces the telemetry data size while maintaining adequate measurement precision for the application requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different precision levels of timestamps and identifiers to different network scenarios and requirements. Instead of uniformly using 64-bit timestamps throughout the network, it allows local adaptation of precision levels based on specific path tracing and delay measurement needs, reducing overall overhead while maintaining necessary precision where required.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive telemetry data is collected from each network node, then path tracing accuracy and network visibility are improved, but network utilization increases and packets are dropped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential and necessary path tracing information from each network node, rather than collecting all possible telemetry data. By selecting only critical parameters (such as simplified timestamps and key node identifiers), it reduces the amount of data transmitted while maintaining sufficient path tracing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial collection of telemetry data by using variable precision timestamps and selective node identification. Instead of collecting excessive data from every node at maximum precision, it collects just enough information to achieve the required path tracing and delay measurement objectives, reducing network overhead.
3Reliability
If detailed path tracing data is collected at each hop, then network visibility and fault detection are improved, but device hardware limitations are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the data structure parameters from fixed 64-bit/128-bit formats to variable precision formats that adapt to the specific monitoring requirements. This reduces the processing complexity and memory requirements at each network node while maintaining the reliability needed for effective network monitoring and fault detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lightweight, simplified timestamp and identifier structures that require minimal processing resources at each node. These compact data structures can be generated and processed with simple hardware operations, reducing the burden on network device hardware while still providing reliable path tracing information.
4Measurement precision
If standard 64-bit timestamp formats are used for delay measurement, then time measurement accuracy is improved, but overhead and compatibility issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic precision adjustment for timestamps, allowing the system to adapt the timestamp precision level based on the specific network scenario, required accuracy, and device capabilities. This dynamic approach improves adaptability across different device types while maintaining sufficient time measurement accuracy for each specific application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal timestamp format that can function at multiple precision levels (e.g., 8-bit, 12-bit, 16-bit, or 64-bit) depending on the requirements. This multi-functional timestamp structure can be adapted to work across different network devices and scenarios, improving compatibility while maintaining the ability to provide accurate measurements when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for optimizing technologies related to network path tracing and network delay measurements are described herein. Some of the techniques may include using an IPV6 header option and/or segment identifier field of a segment list or a TLV of a segment routing header as a telemetry data carrier. The techniques may also include using an SRv6 micro-segment (uSID) instruction to indicate to a node of a network that the node is to perform one or more path tracing actions and encapsulating the packet and forward. Additionally, the techniques may include using short interface identifiers corresponding to node interfaces to trace a packet path through a network. Further, the techniques may include using short timestamps to determine delay measurements associated with sending a packet through a network. In various examples, the techniques described above and herein may be used with each other to optimize network path tracing and delay measurement techniques.