Packet tracing through control and data plane operations using SNMP trap commands

摘要

Improved debugging capabilities for network packet path tracing. Embodiments trace both the control and data planes. During control plane operations each switch appends its identity to the payload, providing a full trace of the control plan path. SNMP Trap commands containing the forward path payload are provided back at each hop. The data plane is monitored by setting traps along the control plane path, with SNMP Trap commands at each hop being provided that indicate a given switch has been used.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving and detecting a tracepath packet at a device and providing said tracepath packet to a CPU of the device, said tracepath packet having addressing of packets being traced; appending the device information to payload information of the tracepath packet and transmitting said tracepath packet with said appended payload from the device; generating and transmitting, responsive to receiving and detecting said tracepath packet, a first SNMP Trap command by the device, said first SNMP Trap command including the payload of said tracepath packet; enabling detection of a tagged normal packet by the device based on receipt of said tracepath packet; receiving and detecting said tagged normal packet by the device after transmitting said first SNMP Trap command; transmitting said tagged normal packet from the device; notifying the CPU of the device of the detection of said tagged normal packet; and generating and transmitting a second SNMP Trap command by the device in response to said notifying, said second SNMP Trap command including the device information as information in said second SNMP Trap command.