TWAMP Session Manager for DSCP and ECN Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing Two-Way Active Measurement Protocol (TWAMP) requires separate test sessions for each combination of Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) and Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) values, leading to significant overhead in setting up and tearing down test sessions, which affects the accuracy and efficiency of DSCP and ECN monitoring in IP networks.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that enable multiple DSCP and ECN combinations to be tested within a single TWAMP test session by negotiating specific DSCP and ECN values and using a single test session manager to iterate through various combinations, reducing the need for multiple test sessions and minimizing overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate test sessions are established for each combination of DSCP and ECN values, then comprehensive DSCP and ECN monitoring can be performed, but significant overhead is incurred in setting up and tearing down test sessions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDSCP and ECN monitoring accuracyVSAvoidtest session setup and teardown time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple test sessions into a single test session by enabling the session-sender to iterate through multiple DSCP and ECN value combinations within one established test session. This merging approach maintains comprehensive monitoring capability while eliminating the repeated setup and teardown overhead of separate test sessions for each parameter combination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic parameter changing within a single test session, allowing the session-sender to modify DSCP and ECN values on-the-fly during the test session. This dynamic approach enables comprehensive monitoring of multiple parameter combinations without requiring static pre-configuration of separate test sessions for each combination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If separate test sessions are established for each combination of DSCP and ECN values, then comprehensive DSCP and ECN monitoring can be performed, but computational and storage resources are significantly consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDSCP and ECN monitoring accuracyVSAvoidcomputational and storage resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple test sessions into one, consolidating the computational overhead of session management (setup, maintenance, teardown) into a single operation. This reduces the cumulative computational and storage resources required compared to maintaining multiple separate test sessions for different DSCP and ECN combinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes a single test session universal by enabling it to handle multiple DSCP and ECN value combinations. The session-sender acts as a multi-functional entity that can test various parameter combinations within one session, reducing the need for multiple specialized test sessions and thereby lowering overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If separate test sessions are established for each combination of DSCP and ECN values, then thorough testing can be performed, but test efficiency is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDSCP and ECN monitoring accuracyVSAvoidtest execution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple test executions into a single test session, allowing the session-sender to iterate through multiple DSCP and ECN combinations without repeated session establishment. This merging dramatically improves test execution efficiency while maintaining thorough testing coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous testing action within a single test session by allowing the session-sender to sequentially test multiple DSCP and ECN combinations without interruption for session setup and teardown. This continuous operation eliminates idle time between tests and significantly boosts overall test productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3412004B1Method and apparatus for data plane to monitor differentiated services code point (DSCP) and explicit congestion notification (ECN)

Publication Date: 2022.04.06 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

A method is executed by a network device implementing a session-sender to perform a test to determine whether differentiated services code point (DSCP) and explicit congestion notification (ECN) are modified in a single test session in a forward direction and a reverse direction between the session-sender and a session-reflector, where multiple DSCP and ECN are tested using the single test session. The method includes determining a first initial forward DSCP and ECN, generating a first test packet including the first initial forward DSCP and ECN, and sending the first test packet to the session-reflector in the single test session. The method further includes determining a second initial forward DSCP and ECN, generating a second test packet including the second initial forward DSCP and ECN, and sending the second test packet to the session-reflector in the single test session.