Unicast Network Delay Tomography via Optimal Probing Pairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network tomography faces challenges in accurately estimating network performance in large-scale networks within a constrained time and traffic volume budget, as low probing traffic is required to minimize network performance impact while ensuring enough coverage for accurate estimation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for unicast network delay tomography that generates optimal probing pairs using semi-definite programming to determine a covariance matrix for maximum likelihood estimators, allowing for efficient estimation of network performance by minimizing the maximum eigenvalue, trace, or determinant of the covariance matrix, thereby reducing probing traffic or improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If low probing traffic volume is used, then network performance impact is minimized, but estimation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of probing traffic by selecting optimal source-destination pairs based on network topology and traffic patterns. Instead of uniform probing, the system dynamically determines probing parameters (source-destination pairs, probing intensity) to achieve accurate estimation with minimal traffic impact on critical paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating probing strategies for different network paths. Critical paths receive lower probing intensity to minimize impact, while less critical paths receive higher probing intensity to ensure accurate estimation. The system locally optimizes probing parameters based on path-specific characteristics and importance.
2Measurement precision
If high probing traffic volume is used, then estimation accuracy is improved, but network performance impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts probing traffic parameters by selecting optimal source-destination pairs and adjusting probing intensity based on network conditions. This allows the system to achieve high estimation accuracy through intelligent parameter selection rather than brute-force high-volume probing, thereby minimizing network performance impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying differentiated probing strategies to different network segments. Critical paths are probed with lower intensity to avoid performance degradation, while non-critical paths receive higher probing intensity to ensure sufficient data for accurate estimation, achieving overall accuracy without uniform high traffic volume.
3Measurement precision
If probing is performed frequently to cover entire network, then estimation accuracy is improved, but time budget is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of probing by implementing adaptive probing intervals and priority-based scheduling. The system dynamically adjusts probing frequency based on network conditions and estimation requirements, allowing accurate estimation within constrained time budgets through intelligent time management rather than uniform frequent probing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamics by making probing strategies adaptive and responsive to network conditions. The probing schedule dynamically adjusts based on real-time network state, estimation accuracy requirements, and available time budget, enabling the system to achieve accurate estimation efficiently without rigid fixed-interval probing that would waste time.
4Measurement precision
If probing is performed with high traffic volume, then coverage is improved, but probing traffic volume budget is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of probing traffic by selecting optimal source-destination pairs based on network topology analysis and traffic patterns. This parameter optimization allows the system to achieve comprehensive network coverage and accurate estimation with significantly reduced probing traffic volume compared to uniform probing approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating probing traffic on critical paths and important network segments while reducing or eliminating probing on less critical paths. This localized probing strategy achieves sufficient coverage and accurate estimation for key performance metrics without requiring high overall probing traffic volume.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed to probe a network includes generating a set of probing pairs from a network topology for unicast network delay tomography; probing the network using monitoring hosts in the network; and determining network performance from the probing results.