Transient Outage Detection in IP Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network diagnostic tools are ineffective in detecting transient outages, which are brief but can affect the quality of video and audio streams and trigger network responses, as they require longer outage durations to be identified and typically miss small but steady losses or bursts of errors due to their cyclic probe packet mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A network performance measurement system comprising a 'caller' and 'listener' device that sends and receives probe packets with timestamps, flagging out-of-sequence or gap-containing packets as indicative of transient outages, and logging these to correlate with network states for causal analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cyclic probe packets are sent at fixed intervals to monitor network connectivity, then the system can identify long-duration faults, but it cannot detect transient outages that occur between probe transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic probe packets sent at fixed intervals to continuously monitor network connectivity. This periodic action allows the system to detect faults that occur between probes by analyzing sequence number gaps and timestamp differences, effectively converting a sampling approach into a reliable detection mechanism that can identify both long-duration and transient outages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by analyzing the sequence numbers and timestamps of received probe packets. When gaps in sequence or unexpected timestamp differences are detected, the system generates alerts about potential transient outages. This feedback loop enables continuous monitoring and immediate detection of network anomalies without requiring increased probe frequency.
2Measurement precision
If probe packets are sent frequently to detect transient outages, then detection resolution improves, but the complexity and resource consumption of the diagnostic system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical approach of increasing probe packet frequency with an analytical approach. Instead of sending more probes to improve detection resolution, the system analyzes the sequence numbers and timestamps of existing probe packets to detect transient outages. This substitution reduces system complexity and resource consumption while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters being measured from simple packet arrival/drop detection to analyzing sequence number gaps and timestamp differences. By focusing on these specific parameters, the system achieves high outage detection resolution without increasing probe frequency or system complexity, as the detection is based on analyzing existing packet metadata rather than increasing traffic volume.
3Ease of operation
If traditional probe packet methods are used, then simple connectivity confirmation is achieved, but detailed information about transient faults and their duration is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by embedding sequence numbers and timestamps in each probe packet before transmission. This preliminary preparation of diagnostic data allows the system to later analyze fault duration and characteristics without adding complexity to the probe transmission itself, maintaining ease of operation while preventing information loss about transient faults.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sequence numbers and timestamps as intermediary elements that carry diagnostic information through the network. These intermediaries enable the system to track probe packet journeys, calculate transit times, and detect transient outages without complicating the basic connectivity testing mechanism. The intermediaries preserve fault information while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for detecting a transient outage of an Internet Protocol (IP) network. A probe sending device sends probe packets over the IP network. A probe packet includes a probe sequence number and a timestamp value issued by the probe sending device. A probe receiving device receives a current probe packet. The probe receiving device overwrites probe packet data obtained from a last received probe packet with the current probe packet when the current probe sequence number exceeds the sequence number of the last received probe packet by one. The probe receiving device stores the current probe packet data obtained from the current probe packet when the current probe sequence number exceeds the sequence number of the last received probe packet by more than one.