Dynamic INT Telemetry Configuration for Adaptive Network Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-band network telemetry mechanisms require manual configuration of network switches, which cannot adapt quickly to changing traffic patterns, leading to lagging data representation and inadequate representation of traffic flow.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automatically configuring network elements using a configuration engine that processes packet and flow data to generate a multi-dimensional flow matrix, dynamically updating INT configurations based on traffic changes, and customizing configurations for specific services like DNS to ensure accurate data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual static configuration is used for network switches, then configuration simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to changing traffic patterns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of network telemetry by automatically adjusting sampling rates and telemetry parameters based on real-time traffic patterns. The system transitions from static manual configuration to dynamic automated configuration that adapts to changing network conditions, resolving the contradiction between configuration simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables network switches to self-configure telemetry parameters automatically based on observed traffic patterns. The automated configuration engine monitors network traffic and adjusts telemetry settings without manual intervention, allowing the system to serve itself and eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration while maintaining high adaptability.
2Power
If flow sampling is used to reduce data collection, then processing requirements are reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes sampling parameters based on traffic characteristics. The system adjusts sampling rates, selection criteria, and telemetry intervals according to observed traffic patterns, ensuring adequate measurement precision while optimizing processing requirements. This resolves the contradiction by making sampling parameters adaptive rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different sampling strategies to different network flows based on their characteristics. High-priority or anomaly-prone flows receive higher sampling rates while normal flows use lower rates, optimizing both measurement precision and processing requirements locally for each flow type rather than applying a uniform sampling rate globally.
3Device complexity
If manual configuration is used for each switch, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity of configuration process deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a centralized configuration engine that generates and distributes unified telemetry configurations across multiple network switches. This universal configuration approach allows a single configuration process to manage multiple devices simultaneously, dramatically improving configuration productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through centralization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration analysis and generates optimized telemetry settings before deployment to network switches. By pre-processing configuration requirements and preparing unified configuration sets in advance, the system enables rapid bulk configuration of multiple switches, improving productivity without increasing individual device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for automatically configuring network elements for in-band telemetry are disclosed. A controller of a configuration engine, which includes a flow analyzer and an INT configuration module, receives sampled packets and flow updates from network elements that are not yet configured for INT telemetry. The controller forwards the packets to the flow analyzer that extracts flow properties from the received packets, generates a flow summary along various metrics, and records it in a multi-dimensional matrix. A few metrics from top flows are selected and forwarded to the INT configuration module to identify network elements from whom packets containing the selected metrics were received. The identified network elements are automatically configured with the selected INT configuration such that INT telemetry data can be collected from them. Changes to the flow are dynamically accommodated by reconfiguring the network elements based on the telemetry data received after they have been configured.