UDP Test Packet Generation for Stateless Bulk Transfer Capacity Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring Bulk Transfer Capacity (BTC) in communications networks, such as TReno and Cap, rely on ICMP messages which are subject to low priority and rate limitations, making them inaccurate and inefficient, especially in IPv6 networks, and often require stateful mechanisms that are undesirable in transit providers.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for generating protocol data units that use a second congestion control algorithm to support routing path selection and congestion control, allowing for stateless performance measurements by employing source-based routing, independent of higher-level transport protocols, using Type 0 routing headers and timestamps to facilitate accurate BTC measurements across multiple nodes without relying on ICMP or TCP implementations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ICMP messages are used for BTC measurements, then the measurements can be performed using standard protocols, but the measurements become inaccurate and inefficient due to low priority and rate limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement functionality from the ICMP protocol layer and implements it directly at the IP layer using custom protocol data units with source-based routing headers. This removes the measurements from the constrained ICMP message framework that imposes low priority treatment and rate limitations, allowing accurate and efficient BTC measurements without relying on ICMP's error message handling path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - source-based routing headers (Type 0 routing headers) - that mediates the measurement process. These routing headers enable the measurement packets to be reflected back through the network path without requiring ICMP error messages, thus bypassing the low priority treatment and rate limitations while maintaining the ability to measure BTC accurately.
2Adaptability or versatility
If stateful mechanisms are used for BTC measurements, then the measurements can be performed using existing tools like TReno and Cap, but additional functionality is required at target endpoints which is undesirable in transit providers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service measurement where the source node performs all measurement operations independently using source-based routing. The measurement packets contain embedded routing information that enables them to automatically reflect back through the network path without requiring any stateful mechanisms or additional functionality at target endpoints. This eliminates the need for transit providers to deploy special measurement software or maintain measurement state.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having target endpoints generate response messages (as in traditional ICMP-based methods), the patent inverts the approach by having the source node send packets with pre-configured source-based routing headers that automatically route the packets back to the source through the measurement path. This reversal eliminates the need for target endpoint participation and reduces device complexity at endpoints.
3Ease of operation
If ICMP messages are used for network probing, then the probing can be performed using standard tools, but the messages are processed in a slow path and receive less favourable treatment during congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the probing functionality from ICMP's error message processing path and implements it as a standard IP layer operation using source-based routing headers. By removing the dependency on ICMP's slow path processing, the measurement packets are handled through the fast forwarding path in routers, receiving equal treatment with other IP traffic even during congestion conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A source host comprising a processing resource that supports a kernel space and a user space. A socket layer is supported by the kernel space and allows a measurement application residing in the user space to instruct a protocol layer to form a plurality of UDP test packets for transmission, from the source host, to a destination node in a communications network. The plurality of test packets employ source-based routing and an alternative congestion control algorithm is implemented by the protocol layer to that supported by the communications network.