Converged Network Assessment Scoring System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network architecture assessment methods fail to provide a comprehensive indication of how individual applications and services impact a network as a whole, and existing remedial recommendations are subjective and difficult to track, trend, and analyze.
Innovation Solution
A method for assessing network architecture by receiving performance information, comparing it to key performance indicators (KPIs) of a reference network architecture, generating scores, and displaying results through a graphical user interface, which includes weight values to prioritize KPIs and generate an overall score indicating the network's readiness for converged services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing network architecture assessment methods are used, then individual application or technology assessments can be performed, but comprehensive indication of network-wide impact is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The assessment system divides the network into multiple hierarchical levels (infrastructure elements, applications, services, and overall network architecture). Each level is assessed separately using specific KPIs, then results are aggregated to provide comprehensive network-wide assessment. This segmentation allows precise measurement at each level while maintaining overall comprehensiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The assessment system uses a universal framework that can evaluate multiple types of network elements (infrastructure, applications, services) using a common set of KPIs and scoring mechanisms. This multi-functional approach enables the same system to assess diverse network components consistently, providing comprehensive coverage without requiring separate assessment tools for each element type.
2Ease of operation
If subjective remedial recommendations are provided, then expert opinion can be incorporated, but tracking, trending and analysis become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback mechanisms that track remediation progress by continuously monitoring KPI changes before and after remediation actions are applied. This feedback loop provides objective measurement of whether recommendations are effective, enabling precise tracking and trending of remediation outcomes while maintaining recommendation quality through data-driven validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms subjective remedial recommendations into measurable parameter changes by defining specific KPI targets and thresholds. Each recommendation is associated with expected changes in quantifiable parameters, allowing objective tracking and analysis of remediation effectiveness through numerical data rather than subjective assessment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network architecture changes to meet new technology demands, then network capability is improved, but assessment of readiness for converged services becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The assessment system adds a new dimension of evaluation by assessing network readiness specifically for converged services across multiple layers (infrastructure, applications, services) simultaneously. This multi-dimensional approach detects and measures readiness for network convergence by evaluating interactions between different network layers and service types, providing comprehensive visibility into convergence capability that single-layer assessments cannot provide.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for quantitative converged network assessment are described. Performance information, associated with network infrastructure elements and application or service elements of a computer network, is received. One or more key performance indicators of a reference network architecture are compared with at least a portion of the performance information. A plurality of first scores is determined based on the comparison of the one or more key performance indicators and at least a portion of the performance information. Based on the plurality of first scores, a single second score is determined that indicates a converged state of the computer network with respect to the reference network architecture.