Flexible Traffic Detection Flag Placement in Network Packets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current traffic detection methods in campus networks are limited in providing comprehensive detection information, as they primarily focus on loss and delay measurements, and are restricted by the need for a detection header in specific packet positions, limiting their application scope and richness of detection data.

Innovation Solution

A traffic detection method that involves adding a detection flag and indication information to packets, allowing the position of the detection information to be flexibly indicated within the packet, such as in the header, payload, or between the header and payload, enabling more extensive and flexible performance detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a detection header is added to a fixed position of the packet, then detection information can be provided, but the application scope is limited to specific encapsulation protocols

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication scopeVSAvoiddetection header structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the position of detection indication information flexible rather than fixed. The detection flag indicates different positions (header, payload, or between header and payload) dynamically, allowing the detection information to be placed adaptively according to different packet types and protocols, thereby expanding application scope without increasing structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing a detection mechanism that can work across multiple encapsulation protocols (MPLS, IPV6, and others). The detection flag and indication information form a universal detection framework that can be applied to various packet structures, making the detection system multi-functional and protocol-agnostic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If detection information is added to packets, then detection capability is improved, but the position for adding detection header is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection information accuracyVSAvoidposition flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the dynamics principle to enable flexible positioning of detection indication information within the packet. Instead of being constrained to a fixed position, the detection information can be dynamically placed in the header, payload, or intermediate position based on the detection flag, thereby maintaining measurement precision while achieving position flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the packet into distinct segments (header, payload, and intermediate region) where detection information can be placed. The detection flag specifies which segment contains the detection indication information, allowing precise control over information placement while maintaining overall packet integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If only loss and delay measurement information is detected, then detection process is simple, but detection information is not rich

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection processVSAvoiddetection information richness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the detection system to collect various types of performance information beyond just loss and delay. The detection indication information can include packet quantity, timestamp, priority, reverse flow, and packet loss cause, making the detection process multi-functional and information-rich while maintaining a relatively simple overall framework

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3913862B1Traffic detection method, apparatus, and system
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3913862B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3913862B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3913862B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A traffic detection method, apparatus, and system are provided. The method includes: A first network device obtains a packet, where the packet is any packet of the traffic. The first network device adds a detection flag and detection indication information to the packet to update the packet, where the detection flag is used to indicate a position of the detection indication information, the detection indication information includes a first flag, and the first flag is used to indicate whether the traffic is to-be-detected traffic. The first network device sends an updated packet to a second network device. According to this method, traffic performance is detected, and flexibility and extensiveness of traffic performance detection are improved.