Traffic Impairment Emulation via Packet Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Testing packet switched networks requires efficient methods to simulate and analyze network traffic, especially in scenarios where impairments like packet loss, delay, and reordering need to be introduced to assess network resilience, but existing solutions lack flexibility and precision in controlling these impairments.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an impairment unit within the network test environment that can selectively impair traffic by classifying packets based on embedded impairment class information, using a classifier to determine the appropriate impairment profile for each packet, and applying impairments such as delay, reordering, or duplication based on predefined parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a programmable impairment unit is introduced to cause controlled packet loss and other impairments, then the capability to test network resilience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the impairment generation functionality with existing network test equipment port units, merging multiple functions (traffic generation, impairment injection, and analysis) into integrated test equipment rather than adding separate standalone impairment devices
Solution Approach 2:
The port unit is designed to perform multiple functions: generating test traffic, injecting impairments (packet loss, delay, reordering), and analyzing results, making the test equipment versatile and reducing the need for separate specialized devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of port units and communication paths is fixed for the duration of a test session, then the equipment structure is simplified, but the adaptability to internal network changes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic reconfiguration of port units during test sessions, allowing the test equipment to adapt to changing network conditions and topology by modifying traffic generation and impairment injection parameters without requiring physical reconfiguration
3Measurement precision
If impairment class information is embedded within the payload of each packet, then the precision of selective impairment is improved, but the loss of information increases due to payload modification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet structure by adding dedicated impairment class information fields separate from the original payload data, allowing impairment classification without corrupting the actual payload content that needs to be tested
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses classification rules and metadata structures as intermediaries to map packet characteristics to impairment classes without directly modifying the payload, preserving original data while enabling precise impairment control
Data Source
AI summary
An impairment unit, method, and machine readable storage media for emulating network impairments. A first network interface may receive network traffic including a plurality of received packets. A classifier may determine an impairment class of each received packet based on test information contained within a payload portion of each received packet, the impairment class of each received packet being one of a plurality of impairment classes, each impairment class uniquely associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of impairment profiles. An impairment engine may impair each of the plurality of impairment classes in accordance with the corresponding impairment profile to provide impaired network traffic. A second network interface may transmit the impaired network traffic to the network.