US6480892B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for inserting predetermined packet loss into a data flow
Assignee: Unify Inc
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Filing: 1998-12-16
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Granted: 2002-11-12
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Expires: 2018-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A test apparatus ( 12 ) and method ( 110 ) are provided for inserting predetermined packet loss into a data flow between a plurality of hosts on a packet-switched network. The test apparatus ( 12 ) can include a first network interface ( 20 ), a second network interface ( 22 ) and a packet filter ( 24 ). The first network interface ( 20 ) receives a sequence of data packets from a source host ( 14 ) under test. Incoming data packets are passed to the packet filter ( 24 ), which selectively discards predetermined ones of the data packets to generate a reduced sequence of data packets. The second network interface ( 22 ) transfers the reduced sequence of data packets over the network ( 18 ) to the destination host ( 16 ). The test apparatus ( 12 ) can be used accurately to measure the effect of packet loss on media applications transmitting real-time data, such as voice and audio, over packet-switched networks.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Levay
- 👤 Gregory V. Kaiser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:20
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L43/00; H04L43/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus for inserting predetermined packet loss into a data flow between a plurality of hosts on a network, comprising: a first network interface for receiving a sequence of data packets included in the data flow; a packet filter for selectively discarding one or more of the data packets according to a predetermined rules table in order to generate a reduced sequence of data packets; and a second network interface for transferring the reduced sequence of data packets over the network; wherein said predetermined packet loss is inserted to determine a network performance responsive to said packet loss.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus for inserting predetermined packet loss into a data flow between a plurality of hosts on a network, comprising: a first network interface for receiving a sequence of data packets included in the data flow; a packet filter for selectively discarding one or more of the data packets according to a predetermined rules table in order to generate a reduced sequence of data packets; and a second network interface for transferring the reduced sequence of data packets over the network; wherein said predetermined packet loss is inserted to determine a network performance responsive to said packet loss.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second network interfaces include a protocol selected from the group consisting of a UDP/IP protocol and a TCP/IP protocol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the data packets include real-time data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the data packets include real-time protocol (RTP) data packets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the, real-time data is voice data or video data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising means for inspecting header information included in each of the data packets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising means for storing the header information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the stored header information includes source and destination addresses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the stored header information includes port numbers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a counter for counting the number of incoming data packets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a counter for counting the number of discarded packets.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of inserting predetermined packet loss into a data flow between a plurality of hosts, comprising: detecting a sequence of data packets in the data flow; accessing a predetermined rules table to determine which of the data packets to discard; and inserting the packet loss by discarding ones of the data packet according to the rules table; wherein said predetermined packet loss is inserted to determine a network performance.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of inserting predetermined packet loss into a data flow between a plurality of hosts, comprising: detecting a sequence of data packets in the data flow; accessing a predetermined rules table to determine which of the data packets to discard; and inserting the packet loss by discarding ones of the data packet according to the rules table; wherein said predetermined packet loss is inserted to determine a network performance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising: determining the protocol by which the data packets are transferred.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the data packets are real-time protocol (RTP) packets.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising: determining whether the data packets carry real-time data selected from the group consisting of voice data and video data; and forwarding packets, without inserting loss, that do not carry real-time data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of detecting includes: receiving a first data packet in the sequence; storing header information included in the first data packet; and comparing header information of subsequent data packets to the stored header information of the first data packet to determine which of the subsequent data packets belong to the sequence of data packets.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising: storing header information included in the discarded ones of the data packets.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
A computer-readable memory storing a program for directing a computer to insert predetermined packet loss into a data flow over a network between a plurality of hosts by detecting a sequence of data packets in a data flow, accessing a predetermined rules table to determine which of the data packets to discard, and inserting the packet loss by discarding ones of the data packet according to the rules table, wherein said predetermined packet loss is inserted to determine a network performance.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
81 words
A computer-readable memory storing a program for directing a computer to insert predetermined packet loss into a data flow over a network between a plurality of hosts by detecting a sequence of data packets in a data flow, accessing a predetermined rules table to determine which of the data packets to discard, and inserting the packet loss by discarding ones of the data packet according to the rules table, wherein said predetermined packet loss is inserted to determine a network performance.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-11-11 | 2006-05-13 | 2006-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-11 | 2010-05-13 | 2010-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-11 | 2014-05-13 | 2014-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |