Method and apparatus for characterizing an end-to-end path of a packet-based network
First Claim
1. A method for characterizing an end-to-end path of a packet-based network, said end-to-end path including two or more nodes, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) generating one or more ordered groups of packets each including two or more marker packets and one or more load packets, all of said packets being configured to travel along a common end-to-end path defined by a source host and a destination host, wherein said one or more load packets are configured to traverse the end-to-end path to a predetermined node, said predetermined node being any node along the end-to-end path;
b) transmitting said one or more ordered groups of packets from said source host along said common end-to-end path;
c) collecting data relating to the transmission of said one or more ordered groups of packets; and
d) analysing said data thereby developing characteristics of the end-to-end path.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for characterising a path between a source host and a destination host, including characterisation of each segment of the network path between the source host and destination host. The present invention comprises a first stage of data collection, wherein sampling of a network path is enabled by means of sending and receiving specific predetermined ordered groups of packets that can vary in size, number and protocol, wherein all packets are sent from the source host and addressed to the destination host. These ordered groups of packets include strategically arranged marker packets and load packets, wherein the load packets are typically expired at a predetermined node between the source host and destination host, and the marker packets complete their journey to the destination. After expiry of the load packets of a particular ordered group of packets, the marker packets associated therewith provide a means for capturing information relating to network characteristics up to the expiry of these load packets. Subsequent analysis of the collected information enables the characterisation of each segment along a network path between the source host and destination host. The present invention can incorporate a further analysis of the collected information performing a correlation between the characteristics of the ordered groups of packets and the collected information, thereby enabling a means for the adjustment of the characteristics of the ordered groups of packets used during sampling that can result in an optimisation of the sampling and characterisation of the network path.
134 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for characterizing an end-to-end path of a packet-based network, said end-to-end path including two or more nodes, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) generating one or more ordered groups of packets each including two or more marker packets and one or more load packets, all of said packets being configured to travel along a common end-to-end path defined by a source host and a destination host, wherein said one or more load packets are configured to traverse the end-to-end path to a predetermined node, said predetermined node being any node along the end-to-end path;
b) transmitting said one or more ordered groups of packets from said source host along said common end-to-end path;
c) collecting data relating to the transmission of said one or more ordered groups of packets; and
d) analysing said data thereby developing characteristics of the end-to-end path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for characterizing an end-to-end path of a packet-based network, said apparatus comprising:
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a) means for generating one or more ordered groups of packets each including two or more marker packets and one or more load packets, all of said packets being configured to travel along a common end-to-end path defined by a source host and a destination host, wherein said one or more load packets are configured to traverse the end-to-end path to a predetermined node, said predetermined node being any node along the end-to-end path;
b) means for transmitting said one or more ordered groups of packets from said source host along said common end-to-end path;
c) means for collecting data relating to the transmission of said one or more ordered groups of packets; and
d) means for analysing said data thereby developing characteristics of the end-to-end path. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having a computer program recorded thereon for performing a method for characterizing an end-to-end path of a packet-based network comprising the steps of:
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a) generating one or more ordered groups of packets each including two or more marker packets and one or more load packets, all of said packets being configured to travel along a common end-to-end path defined by a source host and a destination host, wherein said one or more load packets are configured to traverse the end-to-end path to a predetermined node, said predetermined node being any node along the end-to-end path;
b) transmitting said one or more ordered groups of packets from said source host along said common end-to-end path;
c) collecting data relating to the transmission of said one or more ordered groups of packets; and
d) analysing said data thereby developing characteristics of the end-to-end path.
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Specification