Distributed Data Logging in Content-Routed Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content-routed networks face challenges in providing effective data logging capabilities for billing, performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and security logging, especially in wide area networks, where existing solutions lack flexibility and accuracy in measuring document delivery and latency across multiple subscribers.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing content-routed networks that involves distributing published documents, storing data logs at various points in the network, and correlating these logs to track document delivery, latency, and subscriber activity, enabling flexible billing, quality of service measurement, and security logging through the use of unique tags, timestamps, and XML-encoded capture mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If data logging is implemented at multiple points in the network to enable comprehensive billing and performance monitoring, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and data correlation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data logging system into multiple independent logging points distributed across different network elements (publishers, subscribers, content routers). Each logging point independently captures document delivery events and stores them in local data logs, avoiding the need for a centralized logging system and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces unique tags as intermediary identifiers that are attached to documents and carried through the network. These tags enable automatic correlation of data logs from different logging points without requiring complex manual matching processes. The tags act as a mediator that simplifies the correlation mechanism between distributed log entries.
2Reliability
If comprehensive data logging is performed to track all document deliveries for billing and security purposes, then reliability and security are improved, but loss of time in data collection and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having logging points capture and store data log entries immediately when document delivery events occur, rather than batching or delaying the logging process. This ensures that all delivery information is recorded in real-time, maintaining complete and accurate tracking data without time loss, which is essential for reliable billing and security auditing.
3Reliability
If data logs are stored at multiple distributed points for redundancy and comprehensive tracking, then reliability is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring network operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses unique tags as intermediary identifiers that are embedded in document metadata and carried throughout the network. These tags provide a common reference that simplifies the correlation of data logs from multiple distributed logging points. Instead of dealing with complex distributed tracing, the system can easily match log entries by their associated unique tags, significantly reducing the difficulty of detecting and measuring network operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If detailed data logging is implemented to enable flexible billing and quality of service measurement, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different logging points to capture and store only the specific data elements relevant to their local context and function. Each logging point can be configured to log different aspects of document delivery (e.g., publishers log publication events, content routers log forwarding events, subscribers log receipt events). This localized approach provides the flexibility needed for various billing and QoS measurement scenarios while keeping each individual logging point relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing a content routed network, involves distributing published documents through said network for delivery to subscribers; maintaining data logs pertaining to said published documents at different points in the network; and correlating the data logs to obtain information about the operation of the network.