Path inference in data center networks

Path inference is the ability to determine the sequence of devices traversed by a packet within an IP network. This is a fundamental building block for several network and service management applications such as troubleshooting, planning, and verification. For example, if a user has trouble accessing a service, one of the first things a network operator would like to determine is the path from the user to the device hosting the service. Only after knowing the path, can the operator start looking for problems along the path.