Portable Traffic Checker for High Speed Network Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed data communication networks face challenges in diagnosing and resolving issues such as errors, improper configuration, and traffic corruption due to their complexity and constant evolution, necessitating effective diagnostic and remedial systems for monitoring and testing.
Innovation Solution
A multi-protocol traffic checker device with a monitor module and a test module, capable of passive and active evaluation of network systems, supporting various protocols and line rates, and equipped with error checking, data rate monitoring, and bit error rate calculation, allowing for field use with a rechargeable battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If network speed and bandwidth are increased to meet growing data demands, then network capacity and performance are improved, but network complexity and difficulty of diagnosing problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring function into distributed network elements that independently monitor and report their status. Each network element (router, switch, etc.) acts as an autonomous monitoring unit that collects local traffic data and error information, then reports to a central management system. This segmentation reduces the complexity burden on any single device while maintaining overall network visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a traffic monitoring device as an intermediary between network elements and administrators. This intermediary actively probes network traffic, collects performance data from multiple sources, correlates information, and presents unified diagnostic reports. The intermediary absorbs the complexity of data collection and analysis, leaving simplified interfaces for end users.
2Speed
If network speed increases to 10 gigabits per second or faster, then data transmission rate is improved, but ability to diagnose and resolve problems becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary monitoring and baseline establishment at configured intervals. The system continuously collects traffic patterns, error rates, and performance metrics before problems manifest. By establishing baselines and detecting anomalies proactively, the system enables early diagnosis of issues before they impact high-speed operations, making problem detection feasible despite the speed challenge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback loops where monitoring data flows back to network elements and administrators. The system continuously measures traffic performance, compares against thresholds and baselines, and triggers alerts or automated responses when deviations occur. This feedback mechanism enables real-time diagnosis of high-speed network issues by providing actionable information about traffic anomalies, errors, and performance degradation.
3Reliability
If network systems and devices are continuously monitored for errors and performance, then network reliability is improved, but resource consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial monitoring by focusing resources on critical network elements and traffic flows rather than uniformly monitoring everything. The system prioritizes monitoring of high-bandwidth links, error-prone segments, and business-critical traffic while reducing monitoring intensity on stable, low-priority paths. This selective approach maintains reliability for important functions while reducing overall resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the monitoring system with multi-functionality to reduce resource overhead. The same monitoring infrastructure serves multiple purposes: traffic measurement, error detection, performance baseline establishment, anomaly detection, and diagnostic reporting. By consolidating these functions into a unified system rather than separate specialized tools, the patent reduces total resource consumption while maintaining comprehensive reliability monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods are disclosed for use in testing and evaluating aspects of a high speed communications network. In particular, a portable traffic checker for field use is provided that includes multiple sets of different types of communication links and is compatible with multiple protocols. One such traffic checker includes “test” and “monitor” modules having access to a data signal received by the traffic checker. The “test” module tests aspects of the communications network with a BER methodology, while the “monitor” module checks and reports on aspects of the data signal such as frame sizes, data rates, and data signal errors. Information obtained by the modules can be timestamped and stored in a log, and may also be uploaded through a communications port. Some information may also be displayed. Additionally, the traffic checker is switchable between the “test” and “monitor” modes and enables a user to select a data rate.