Traffic Differentiator Automatic Port Order Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network communication systems face challenges in real-time monitoring and troubleshooting as they require cumbersome and time-consuming post-processing techniques to determine which packets are removed or modified by network devices, lacking real-time information on device operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of traffic differentiator systems with automatic port order determination, which includes input ports and a packet difference processor operating in learning and normal modes to identify differences between packet streams by determining port order and facilitating the identification of difference packets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If post-processing manual or automated comparison of stored packets is used to determine difference packets, then difference determination can be accomplished, but the process becomes cumbersome and time consuming with no real time information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing packets at the network device before transmission. The device generates difference packets in real-time by comparing ingress and egress packets as they pass through, rather than performing post-processing comparison after all packets are stored. This preliminary determination of differences eliminates the need for time-consuming post-processing while maintaining accurate difference identification.
2Reliability
If all packets are stored for comparison, then complete difference determination is possible, but the system becomes complex and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for difference determination by generating difference packets that contain only the relevant comparison results. Instead of storing and comparing all original packets, the system extracts key packet characteristics and generates condensed difference packets that represent the essential differences between ingress and egress traffic, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining determination completeness.
3Productivity
If real-time packet stream comparison is implemented, then real-time network device operation information is provided, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism by having the network device itself generate difference packets as an intermediate representation of the comparison between ingress and egress streams. This intermediary difference packet generation occurs within the network device, allowing real-time monitoring capability to be achieved without requiring a separate complex external comparison system. The intermediary difference packets serve as a simplified representation that enables real-time analysis while reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Traffic differentiator systems for network devices and related methods are disclosed that include automatic port order determination. The disclosed embodiments includes input ports that receive a first stream of packets and a second stream of packets and a packet difference processor that operates in a learning mode and a normal mode. In the learning mode of operation, the packet difference processor automatically determines a port order representing whether the first stream of packets for the first port or the second stream of packets for the second port represents a first in time version of received packets. In the normal mode of operation, the packet difference processor uses the port order determination to facilitate determination of difference packets between the first stream of packets and the second stream of packets.