Intermediary Node TCP Dead Connection Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data networks lack an automated method to detect dead TCP connections, relying on manual maintenance and infinite timeouts in topologies with long-lived connections, which can lead to resource issues due to stale sessions.
Innovation Solution
An intermediary node in the data network is configured to periodically send keep-alive probes to TCP session endpoints, refreshing timers upon valid responses and declaring sessions as invalid if no response is received, allowing for automatic detection and termination of dead connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If time out configurations are used to release per-session memory, then memory resource management is improved, but automatic detection of dead connections is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by sending keepalive probes before the timeout period expires. The intermediary node actively monitors connections by transmitting probes and evaluating responses, allowing detection of dead connections before they permanently occupy memory resources, thus preventing resource exhaustion while maintaining reliable connection state awareness
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the intermediary node sends keepalive probes and evaluates the responses to determine connection status. This closed-loop feedback allows continuous monitoring and automatic detection of dead connections, improving both memory management and connection reliability simultaneously
2Duration of action of moving object
If infinite timeout is used for long-lived connections, then connection longevity is improved, but manual maintenance is required to manage dead connections
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by implementing automatic dead connection detection and termination at the intermediary node. The node autonomously monitors connections using keepalive probes, evaluates responses, and terminates dead sessions without human intervention, allowing infinite timeout periods while eliminating manual maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary node serves as a mediator between end nodes, handling the complex task of connection monitoring and dead connection detection. This intermediary performs keepalive probe transmission and evaluation, automatically managing long-lived connections and eliminating the need for manual maintenance while preserving connection duration
3Reliability
If keep-alive functions are implemented at end nodes, then dead connection detection is improved, but device complexity at end nodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary node acts as a dedicated mediator for connection monitoring, centralizing the dead connection detection functionality. By performing keepalive probe transmission and evaluation at the intermediary node rather than at end nodes, the system achieves reliable dead connection detection while keeping end node configurations simple and unchanged
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for providing detection of dead or failed network communication session connections (such as TCP or UDP) in a data network by an intermediary node in the data network coupled to the end nodes (such as the client terminal and the server terminal) are provided.