Virtual Machine Network Fault Detection via TTL Packets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Troubleshooting network issues between virtual network devices in cloud networking is complex due to long network I/O paths and inflexible approaches, requiring extensive time and deep understanding of network I/O paths.
Innovation Solution
Constructing a detection packet with a time to live (TTL) indicator that is sent from a virtual machine to virtual network devices, allowing the system to recognize and respond with notifications to determine network fault points, thereby identifying the virtual network device causing the fault.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional network troubleshooting methods are used in virtualized environments, then comprehensive network path coverage is achieved, but troubleshooting complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a detection packet as an intermediary tool that carries TTL information through the virtual network path. This packet acts as a mediator between the virtual machine and virtual network devices, enabling automatic fault location without requiring manual traversal or deep understanding of complex network I/O paths by operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual network troubleshooting methods with an automated detection mechanism. Instead of requiring operators to manually trace network paths through multiple virtual network devices, the system uses automated detection packets with TTL indicators that automatically identify fault points, substituting mechanical/manual operations with automated electronic detection.
2Measurement precision
If manual network path traversal is performed to locate faults, then accurate fault identification is achieved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection packet is pre-configured with TTL (time to live) information before being sent into the network. This preliminary action enables the packet to automatically track its path through virtual network devices and identify fault points without requiring real-time manual intervention, thus achieving accurate fault location while reducing troubleshooting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where virtual network devices respond to detection packets by returning notifications that include TTL information. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically determine which virtual network device caused the fault based on the TTL value in the returned notification, enabling rapid and accurate fault identification.
3Reliability
If comprehensive understanding of network I/O paths is required for troubleshooting, then accurate fault diagnosis is achieved, but operator skill requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system performs self-service by automatically traversing the virtual network path and identifying fault points without requiring operator intervention. The TTL information in the detection packet and returned notifications enables the system to autonomously determine which virtual network device caused the fault, reducing the need for operators to have deep understanding of network I/O paths.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided in which the approach constructs a detection packet that includes a time to live indicator. The approach sends the detection packet from a virtual machine to one of multiple virtual network devices, wherein the virtual network device recognizes the detection packet based on the time to live indicator. The approach determines a network fault point based on receiving a notification packet from one of the multiple virtual network devices, and reports one of the multiple network interface devices that causes the network fault point.