Method and network entity for evaluating a link between a first network node and a second network node

• US 9,832,092 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2013
• Issued: 11/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Swedish Institute of Computer Science, SICS (PUBL), Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Meirosu, Catalin, Gillblad, Daniel, Steinert, Rebecca
• Primary Examiner(s): Lai, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim, Harry H
• Application Number:
  US14/767,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20160036673A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,748 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/145 involving simulating, designing, planning or modelling of a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0829 Packet loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0852 Delays
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/16 in connection oriented networks, e.g. frame relay

Abstract

A method and a network entity for evaluating a link between a first and a second network node are disclosed. The link is configured to carry data packets between the network nodes via a third network node. The link comprises a first segment and a second segment. The network entity obtains an indication of a measurement tool to be used in a measurement session for evaluation of the link. The network entity selects a mathematical model based on the indication. The network entity generates measurement values by executing the measurement session. The network entity determines a first and a second value relating to lost data packets of the first and second segments, respectively, based on the measurement values and the selected mathematical model. The network entity identifies at least one of the first and second segments based the first and second values.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating a link between a first network node and a second network node, wherein the link is configured to carry data packets between the first and second network nodes via at least one third network node, wherein the link comprises at least a first segment configured to carry data packets between the first and third network nodes and a second segment configured to carry data packets between the second and third network nodes, the method comprising:

obtaining an indication of a selected measurement tool, selected from a plurality of measurement tools, to be used in a measurement session for evaluation of the link;

selecting a mathematical model, from a plurality of mathematical models, based on the indication of the selected measurement tool;

obtaining a set of measurement results by executing the measurement session while using the selected measurement tool according to the indication of the selected measurement tool;

determining a first and a second value relating to lost data packets of the first and second segments, respectively, based on the set of measurement results and the selected mathematical model; and

determining whether at least one of the first and second segments is degraded or available based on the first and second values.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining whether at least one of the first and second segments is degraded or available comprises selecting a predefined number of the first and second segments for which the respective first and second values are the greatest among the first and second values.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining whether at least one of the first and second segments is degraded or available comprises selecting one of more of the first and second segments for which the respective first and second values are greater than a first predetermined threshold value for lost data packets.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining whether at least one of the first and second segments is degraded or available comprises:

determining a respective value indicative of a change in terms of lost data packets for each of the first and second segments based on the first and second value, respectively; and

selecting one or more of the first and second segments for which the respective value indicative of the change is greater than a second predetermined threshold value for change detection.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

identifying the plurality of mathematical models adapted to the measurement session while taking into account whether data packets carried on the link are modeled under a statistical condition of stationarity or non-stationarity, wherein the selected mathematical model is selected from the plurality of mathematical models.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the link is a multi-segment Ethernet link, multi-segment Internet Protocol link, a multi-segment pseudo-wire or a MPLS-TP label switched path.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selected mathematical model is equation 1 or 2, wherein:

equation 1 is

8. The method according to claim 1, being performed by a network entity.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the network entity is the first network node.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the obtaining of the indication of the selected measurement tool comprises receiving the indication of the selected measurement tool from a network management node.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the network entity is a network management node.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the obtaining of the indication of the selected measurement tool comprises receiving the indication of the selected measurement tool from an operator.

13. A network entity configured to evaluate a link between a first network node and a second network node, wherein the link is configured to carry data packets between the first and second network nodes via at least one third network node, wherein the link comprises at least a first segment a memory;

a processing circuit configured to execute instructions contained in the memory which, when executed by the processing circuit, are configured to cause the network entity to;

obtain an indication of a selected measurement tool, selected from a plurality of measurement tools, to be used in a measurement session for evaluation of the link;

select a mathematical model, from a plurality of mathematical models, based on the indication of the selected measurement tool;

obtain a set of measurement results by executing the measurement session while using the selected measurement tool according to the indication of the selected measurement tool;

determine a first and a second value relating to lost data packets of the first and second segments, respectively, based on the set of measurement results and the selected mathematical model; and

determine whether at least one of the first and second segments is degraded or available based on the first and second values.

14. The network entity according to claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuit, are further configured to cause the network entity to determine whether at least one of the first and second segments is degraded or available by selecting a predefined number of the first and second segments for which the respective first and second values are the greatest among the first and second values.

15. The network entity according to claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuit, are further configured to cause the network entity to determine whether at least one of the first and second segments is degraded or available by selecting one of more of the first and second segments for which the respective first and second values are greater than a first predetermined threshold value for lost data packets.

16. The network entity according to claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuit, are further configured to cause the network entity to determine whether at least one of the first and second segments is degraded or available by:

determining a respective value indicative of a change in terms of lost data packets for each of the first and second segments based on the first and second value, respectively; and

selecting one or more of the first and second segments for which the respective value indicative of the change is greater than a second predetermined threshold value for change detection.

17. The network entity according to claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuit, are further configured to cause the network entity to:

identify the plurality of mathematical models adapted to the measurement session while taking into account whether data packets carried on the link are modeled under a statistical condition of stationarity or non-stationarity, wherein the selected mathematical model is selected from the plurality of mathematical models.

18. The network entity according to claim 13, wherein the link is a multi-segment Ethernet link, multi-segment Internet Protocol link, a multi-segment pseudo-wire or a MPLS-TP label switched path.

19. The network entity according to claim 13, wherein the selected mathematical model is equation 1 or 2, wherein:

equation 1 is

20. The network entity according to claim 13, wherein the network entity is the first network node.

21. The network entity according to claim 13, wherein the network entity is a network management node.

22. The network entity according to claim 20, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuit, are further configured to cause the network entity to receive the indication of the selected measurement tool from a network management node.

23. The network entity according to claim 21, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuit, are further configured to cause the network entity to receive the indication of the selected measurement tool from an operator.