Telemetry-Enriched Packets for Accurate Packet Loss and Latency Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network monitoring systems face challenges in accurately measuring packet loss and latency, as passive monitoring methods can be unreliable and active monitoring may not reflect actual network traffic conditions, making it difficult for network sources and destinations to determine issues such as packet loss or delay during transmission.
Innovation Solution
The method involves enriching packets with telemetry information, allowing for active network traffic monitoring by encapsulating payload information with sequence numbers, timing information, and other telemetry data, enabling more accurate determination of packet loss and latency without altering the payload and allowing for real-time feedback on transmission success or failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive monitoring methods are used to monitor network traffic, then the monitoring is less intrusive, but the measurement accuracy of packet loss and latency is unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces telemetry-enriched packets as an intermediary mechanism between the network source and destination. These packets contain embedded telemetry data (sequence numbers, timestamps, payload identifiers) that enable accurate measurement of packet loss and latency without requiring complex active probing. The intermediary telemetry data structure allows passive monitoring to achieve measurement accuracy previously only attainable through active methods.
2Measurement precision
If active monitoring with probes is used to accurately measure packet loss and latency, then measurement accuracy improves, but the monitoring may not reflect actual network traffic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges monitoring functions with actual network traffic by enriching real data packets with telemetry information. Instead of using separate probe packets, the system combines measurement data (sequence numbers, timestamps, payload identifiers) with the actual network payload, allowing monitoring to occur on genuine traffic flows. This merging ensures measurements reflect actual network conditions while maintaining accuracy through structured telemetry data.
3Measurement precision
If telemetry information is enriched in packets, then packet loss and latency can be accurately determined, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments telemetry information into distinct, standardized fields within the packet structure (sequence number, timestamp, payload identifier, etc.). This segmentation allows receiving systems to efficiently extract and process only the specific telemetry data needed for measurements, rather than handling complex monolithic packet structures. The segmented approach reduces processing complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
4Loss of information
If network monitoring is implemented to capture packet loss and latency, then network statistics can be provided to customers, but the source location may be incapable of recognizing packet issues without monitoring systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables network endpoints to self-detect packet loss and latency issues through telemetry information embedded in received packets. The sequence numbers and timestamps allow receiving systems to autonomously calculate transmission metrics without requiring external monitoring infrastructure. This self-service approach provides packet loss and latency information while reducing dependency on complex centralized monitoring systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Features are disclosed for enriching a packet of network traffic between a first computing environment and a second computing environment with telemetry information. Each computing environment can include a network device for enriching packets with telemetry information and parsing enriched packets. A source network device can select a packet of the network traffic for enrichment based on enrichment parameters and generate an enriched packet including payload information and telemetry information. A destination network device can receive the enriched packet and parse the enriched packet to separate the payload information and telemetry information. The destination network device can transmit transmission information to the source network device based on the enriched packet.