Traffic Amplification Device for Layer 3 Proxy Testing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The testing of layer 3 proxy devices requires high traffic volumes, which is resource-intensive and costly, involving numerous client and server devices, making it challenging to reduce processing resources while ensuring full testing.

Innovation Solution

A traffic amplification device that uses a processor and memory to amplify traffic by sending multiple messages to a layer 3 proxy device, allowing for reduced hardware and software requirements by simulating high traffic volumes with fewer devices, utilizing request and response counters for stateless control and flexible testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high traffic volumes are generated using numerous client and server devices, then the layer 3 proxy device can be fully tested, but the processing resources and hardware costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting completenessVSAvoidnumber of devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of client and server devices through software-based virtualization. Instead of requiring numerous physical devices, the system uses virtual machine instances that can be rapidly deployed and configured. Each virtual device emulates the behavior of a real client or server, allowing the generation of high traffic volumes using a small number of physical hosts running multiple virtual instances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a multi-functional testing platform where a single physical infrastructure serves multiple purposes. The same physical servers that host virtual client devices also function as test controllers, traffic generators, and analysis systems. This universal platform eliminates the need for separate dedicated hardware for each testing function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive testing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If high traffic volumes are generated to properly test the proxy device, then testing accuracy is improved, but the processing power and software resources required increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoidprocessing resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces resource-intensive mechanical processing with optimized software-based traffic generation and analysis. Instead of using brute-force methods that consume excessive CPU and memory, the system employs efficient packet processing algorithms, streamlined protocol handlers, and optimized data structures that reduce the computational overhead while maintaining the ability to generate and analyze high volumes of traffic for accurate testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If numerous physical devices are used to generate sufficient traffic, then the desired traffic volume is achieved, but hardware costs and maintenance complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic volumeVSAvoiddeployment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested architecture where virtual client and server instances are contained within virtualized environments that run on physical host systems. This nested structure allows multiple layers of abstraction - physical hardware hosts virtual machines, which in turn host testing workloads. This nesting enables the system to achieve high traffic volumes by efficiently utilizing the resources of fewer physical devices, as each physical host can accommodate multiple virtual instances that collectively generate the required traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS10187283B2Testing the performance of a layer 3 proxy device using traffic amplification

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

The invention is directed towards a method, computer program, computer program product and a traffic amplification device (30) for assisting in the testing of performance of a layer 3 proxy device (12) as well as a testing system comprising such a traffic amplification device. The traffic amplification device (30) obtains a first message (M1) from at least one client devices (14) and intended for a server device (22), where the first message comprises a request for processing, sends a plurality of second messages (M2) to the proxy device (12) in a number corresponding to a desired degree of traffic amplification, where each second message comprises the request for processing, receives the second messages in return from the proxy device (12), selects one of the received second messages, and forwards (FM1) the request for processing of the selected second message to the server device (22) for being processed. It is also possible to handle responses (M3) from the server device in a similar manner.