Handheld VoIP Test Device Bypassing ICMP Prioritization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current testing equipment for broadband communication networks, particularly those providing VoIP services, relies on ICMP messages, which are susceptible to Denial of Service attacks and prioritization issues, leading to inaccurate packet loss and throughput measurements.
Innovation Solution
A handheld test device that uses Real Time Protocol (RTP) messages to evaluate VoIP service quality by generating test packets with a specific IP address, allowing them to travel through a router and back to the device for accurate throughput, packet loss, and jitter analysis, independent of ICMP message prioritization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ICMP messages are used for packet loss and throughput testing, then testing can be performed using standard protocols, but the measurements become inaccurate due to Denial of Service attacks and router prioritization issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the testing function from ICMP protocol dependency by implementing a standalone test packet system that generates its own packets with unique identifiers. This allows the system to perform packet loss and throughput measurements without relying on ICMP messages that are vulnerable to DOS attacks and router prioritization, thereby maintaining protocol versatility while achieving accurate measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces test packets with unique identifiers as an intermediary mechanism between the test equipment and the network router. These packets serve as a reliable mediator for measuring packet loss and throughput, replacing the unreliable ICMP message system while maintaining compatibility with standard network infrastructure
2Ease of operation
If Echo Request messages are used for testing, then simple ping functionality is achieved, but the test results cannot distinguish between router programming issues and actual cable plant problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the diagnostic process by dividing test packets into distinct categories with unique identifiers that indicate different test types and locations. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple operation while capturing detailed diagnostic information about whether failures originate from router programming or cable plant issues, thereby resolving the information loss problem
3Productivity
If ICMP message prioritization is applied by the router, then network traffic management is improved, but VoIP quality measurements become inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic testing approach where test packets are generated with varying characteristics including different source and destination IP addresses and port numbers. This dynamic behavior allows the test system to measure VoIP quality under different network conditions without being subject to static router prioritization rules, thereby maintaining network efficiency while achieving accurate VoIP quality measurements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A test device enables DOCSIS link testing in a HFC network without requiring the CMTS or other router at the headend of the HFC network to respond to ICMP messages. The test device includes a test packet generator for generating test packets having a destination Internet protocol (IP) address associated with a test device, a memory for storing transmission parameters of the test packets, and a test packet evaluator associated with the IP address in the generated test packets. The test packet evaluator receives the generated test packets after the test packets have been routed through a router at a head end of a HFC network and compares reception parameters for the received test packets to the transmission parameters stored in the memory.