Dynamic Cloud Network Visibility Tool Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for deploying network visibility tools in the cloud lead to unnecessary capital expenses and inefficiencies due to constant hardware maintenance and excessive metering charges, as well as the need for manual instantiation of virtual servers to support network visibility applications, which do not dynamically scale with real-time processing demands.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for dynamically triggering the on-demand activation of cloud-based network visibility tools by classifying packets or metadata into groups and generating event notifications to instantiate cloud-based tools only when needed, using a processor-based network visibility platform with a classifier and event notification generator, allowing for efficient use of cloud resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network visibility tools are deployed in a cloud network on a virtual server that runs constantly, then the tools are always available to process network traffic, but excessive metering charges occur for the utilization of cloud processing resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically activates and deactivates the network visibility tool instance based on real-time monitoring of network traffic conditions. When traffic exceeds a threshold, the tool is activated; when traffic is below the threshold for a specified duration, the tool is deactivated. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain reliability by ensuring availability when needed while reducing resource consumption and costs during low-traffic periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic monitoring of network traffic conditions and uses time-based thresholds to control tool activation. The deactivation condition requires traffic to remain below the threshold for a specified time period, preventing premature deactivation during transient low-traffic periods. This periodic assessment ensures reliable operation during sustained high-traffic conditions while enabling cost-saving deactivation during prolonged low-traffic periods.
2Loss of energy
If network visibility tools are deployed on-premises with dedicated hardware, then the tools can run continuously without cloud metering charges, but capital expenses increase due to hardware maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors network traffic conditions and autonomously activates or deactivates the network visibility tool instance based on predefined thresholds and time-based conditions. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention to start or stop the tool, reducing operational complexity while optimizing resource utilization and costs compared to always-on on-premises deployments.
3Loss of energy
If cloud-based network visibility tools are activated on-demand based on network traffic conditions, then resource utilization and costs are optimized, but the system complexity increases due to dynamic activation logic
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses configurable parameters including traffic thresholds and time-based conditions to control tool activation. These parameters can be adjusted to match different network conditions and requirements, providing flexibility without requiring complex custom logic for each scenario. The use of standardized parameters simplifies the activation logic while enabling optimization of resource utilization and costs.
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter described herein relates to methods, systems, and computer readable media for triggering dynamic, on-demand activation of cloud-based network visibility tools. One method includes steps that occur in a network visibility platform including at least one processor. The method further includes classifying, using a classifier implemented by the at least one processor, packets or network metadata into groups of related packets or network metadata. The method further includes generating, using an event notification generator implemented by the at least one processor, event notifications based on the groups of related packets or network metadata classified by the classifier. The method further includes communicating, by the event notification generator, the event notifications to a cloud network for triggering dynamic on-demand activation of at least one cloud-based network visibility tool to process the groups of related packets or network metadata classified by the classifier.