Synchronization method for multi-probe communications network monitoring
US6738355B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 18, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 15, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L43/087
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of synchronizing the operation of a plurality of measurement probes enables multi-point measurements of a communications network. The method comprises the step of collecting data packets from a data stream of the communications network using the plurality of probes. The data packets are collected after a predetermined start time. The method further comprises the steps of determining a hash value array from an invariant portion of the sampled data packets, and comparing the hash value array to a start hash mask. Collection by a probe of a data packet that produces a hash value array that matches the start hash mask is used as a synchronization event. The method of the present invention allows multiple measurement probes observing the same data stream at different physical locations to be synchronized such that all of the probes observe the same set of packets being carried by the data stream. The method also allows statistical control over the frequency of packet matches within a data stream to the start hash mask. Moreover, the method of the present invention depends only on passive access to the physical links of the network. As such it will not degrade the performance or…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.