Transitive Probing for Network Interface Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network monitoring technologies lack effective methods to determine the status of network interfaces and their connectivity within a broadcast domain, particularly in identifying whether a network interface is operational or failed, and in estimating round-trip times and load conditions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using Internet Protocol probe packets (IPPPs) and transitive probe packets (TPPs) to assess network conditions by sending IPPPs from an active interface and TPPs between alternate interfaces within a broadcast domain, allowing for the determination of interface status and connectivity without requiring test IP addresses, and enabling the detection of network failures and load conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional network monitoring methods are used, then network traffic can be transmitted, but the status of network interfaces and connectivity within a broadcast domain cannot be effectively determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces probe packets (ICMP echo requests and transitive probe packets) as intermediary elements to detect network interface status. These probe packets act as mediators between the monitoring system and network interfaces, enabling indirect detection of interface operational status and connectivity without requiring direct access to interface internal states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by sending probe packets and analyzing their responses (or lack thereof) to determine network interface status. The absence of expected probe packet responses provides feedback indicating interface failure or connectivity issues, enabling continuous monitoring and detection of network conditions.
2Reliability
If multiple network interfaces are used for sending and receiving traffic, then network redundancy is improved, but the ability to monitor and detect failures in each interface deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network monitoring function by assigning specific monitoring tasks to different probe packet types. ICMP echo requests monitor general interface reachability, while transitive probe packets specifically monitor connectivity within the broadcast domain. This segmentation allows simultaneous monitoring of multiple interfaces and their distinct connectivity characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system uses universal probe packet mechanisms that can operate across multiple network interfaces simultaneously. The same probe packet infrastructure serves both IPv4 and IPv6 interfaces, and can monitor both individual interface status and broadcast domain connectivity, providing multi-functional monitoring capability.
3Measurement precision
If test IP addresses are used for monitoring, then interface status can be detected, but the system complexity and configuration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system uses self-service mechanisms where existing network infrastructure components (routers, switches, and network interfaces) automatically respond to probe packets without requiring special configuration or test IP addresses. Network interfaces naturally respond to ICMP echo requests and transitive probe packets based on their operational state, eliminating the need for additional monitoring infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the monitoring approach from using static test IP addresses to using dynamic probe packet protocols (ICMP and transitive probe packets) that adapt to the actual network state. This parameter change allows monitoring to work with existing network configurations without requiring additional IP address assignments or special test addresses.
Data Source
AI summary
A system (including a processor, a host having a network multipath daemon, and multiple network interfaces) and method involving issuing, by an active interface, an Internet Protocol probe packet (IPPP) to a probe target, issuing, by an alternate interface, a transitive probe packet (TPP) to the active interface, where the alternate interface and the active interface belong to a broadcast domain. The system and method further involve awaiting, by the active interface, a responsive IPPP from the probe target, awaiting by the alternate interface, a responsive TPP from the active interface, and determining network conditions based upon receiving at least one of the responsive IPPP and the responsive TPP.