In-band Telemetry Metadata Extraction for Network Traffic Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inefficient transmission of telemetry packets in computer networks, where each network node sends redundant telemetry data to a network controller, leading to unnecessary network traffic and processing overhead.
Innovation Solution
A network node controller determines the number of nodes that have added telemetry data to a packet and only transmits it to the network controller if this number meets or exceeds a threshold, otherwise, it is sent to the next destination along the communication pathway, reducing unnecessary transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If each network node transmits telemetry packets to the network controller, then complete telemetry data collection is achieved, but network traffic and processing overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary telemetry data from each network node and transmits it only when needed. The egress node extracts and transmits the complete telemetry packet containing data from all upstream nodes, while intermediate nodes extract and forward only the telemetry data portion without full packet transmission to the controller, reducing unnecessary network traffic while maintaining data collection completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the telemetry transmission process by distinguishing between ingress nodes, intermediate nodes, and egress nodes. Each node type has different transmission responsibilities: ingress nodes generate telemetry packets, intermediate nodes add their data and forward packets, and egress nodes transmit final packets to the controller. This segmentation optimizes network traffic by ensuring each node transmits only when necessary
2Reliability
If telemetry packets are transmitted from every network node, then all telemetry data is captured, but processing time and network bandwidth are wasted on redundant transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the telemetry data from all upstream network nodes into a single telemetry packet at the egress node. Instead of each node transmitting separate packets to the controller, the egress node combines all telemetry data from ingress and intermediate nodes into one comprehensive packet, eliminating redundant transmissions and optimizing network bandwidth utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having intermediate network nodes add their telemetry data to the packet as it passes through, rather than transmitting separately. The egress node performs preliminary consolidation of all telemetry data before transmission to the controller, ensuring complete data capture while minimizing the number of transmissions required
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing transmission of telemetry packets includes receiving, at a network controller, telemetry packets from network nodes in a communication pathway of data packets being transmitted from a sending host to a receiving host and determining from the telemetry packets a number of network nodes in the communication pathway. The method includes setting a network node threshold value equal to the determined number of network nodes in the communication pathway, and transmitting, from the network controller, the network node threshold value to each network node in the communication pathway.