Method and apparatus for centralized monitoring and analysis of virtual private networks
a virtual private network and monitoring method technology, applied in the field of service networks, can solve the problems of significant time expenditure in the collection and analysis of data, increased cost, and increased cost burden on service providers
Inactive Publication Date: 2009-01-29
ROY SUMANTRA +1
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- Abstract
- Description
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AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
Enables quick and cost-effective monitoring and analysis of VPN traffic, reducing the need for on-site visits and associated costs, while allowing for efficient troubleshooting and maintenance of VPNs.
Problems solved by technology
While such methods enable service providers to provide effective analysis and troubleshooting results for their clients, they are often very expensive for the service providers due to the costs involved in sending the technicians and equipment to the customer locations.
In cases where additional trips to the customer location are required for further data collection, these costs become even more daunting.
Moreover, because the collected data is not immediately analyzed, but must be sent to a second team of experts for analysis, a significant amount of time is expended in the collection and analysis of the data.
Analysis and troubleshooting of customer VPNs is therefore slowed.
Method used
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Embodiment Construction
[0015]In one embodiment, the present invention relates to the monitoring and analysis of virtual private networks (VPNs) supported on multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) backbone networks. Specifically, the present invention enables centralized monitoring and analysis of VPNs by coupling network probes to the MPLS service provider backbone network, thereby substantially eliminating the need to send technicians on-site to gather VPN data. Thus, customer VPN traffic may be analyzed in a quicker and more cost-effective manner than is accomplished by existing methods.
[0016]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an MPLS VPN connection 200 according to the present invention, in which one or more network probes or listening devices 224 for monitoring VPN traffic is connected to the MPLS backbone network 202. As in FIG. 1, a plurality of customer VPNs connect to an MPLS service provider backbone network 202 via respective CE routers 2041-204n (hereinafter collectively referred to as “C...
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In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for monitoring virtual private networks (VPNs) supported on a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) backbone network. In one embodiment, a method for remote monitoring of a VPN supported on an MPLS backbone network includes capturing traffic to and / or from the virtual private network (e.g., via a network probe) and analyzing the captured traffic in accordance with one or more service objectives. In another embodiment, the present invention involves remotely simulating network conditions in a virtual private network, for example by sending test patterns to a shared customer edge router connected to the virtual private network, forwarding the test patterns, via the shared customer edge router, to the MPLS backbone network, and forwarding the test patterns over the MPLS backbone network to a discrete customer edge router associated with the virtual private network.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 052,259 filed Feb. 7, 2005, now allowed, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to service networks, and relates more particularly to the maintenance of virtual private networks.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary multiprotocol label switching virtual private network (MPLS VPN) connection 100. A plurality of customer VPNs connect to an MPLS backbone network 102 (e.g., maintained by a service provider) via respective customer edge (CE) routers 1041-104n (hereinafter collectively referred to as “CE routers 104”). Each CE router 104 is coupled to at least one switch 1061-106n (hereinafter collectively referred to as “switches 106”) in the backbone network 102. Each CE router / switch connection comprises two elements: (1) ...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): H04L12/26
CPCH04L12/4641H04L45/50H04L43/12H04L43/087H04L43/20
InventorROY, SUMANTRAQUINN, PATRICIA B.
OwnerROY SUMANTRA