Hierarchical Metadata Comparator for Telecommunications Network Analysis

Solution Overview

Problem

Comparing large amounts of telecommunications network data to benchmark data to identify similarities or differences is challenging, and effectively visualizing these differences is difficult.

Innovation Solution

A hierarchical comparator tool, such as the scenario, call, and Protocol Data Unit (PDU) comparator, that allows users to compare capture files, call records, call scenarios, and PDUs in both visual and command line modes, with options to discard non-significant information and apply tolerances, enabling graphical comparison and automatic validation of regression tests.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If large amounts of network data are compared to benchmark data to identify similarities or differences, then the completeness of data analysis is improved, but the complexity of the comparison process and difficulty of visualization increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata analysis completenessVSAvoidcomparison process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments network data into hierarchical levels (capture files, call traces, call records, PDUs) and compares data at each level separately. This segmentation allows comprehensive data analysis while managing complexity by breaking down the comparison process into manageable hierarchical stages rather than comparing all data simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the comparison process, organizing data into multiple levels of abstraction. This dimensional approach transforms the complex problem of comparing large data volumes into a structured multi-level process, where each level can be visualized and analyzed independently, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If large amounts of network data are compared to benchmark data to identify similarities or differences, then the completeness of data analysis is improved, but the difficulty of visualization increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata analysis completenessVSAvoidvisualization difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments network data into hierarchical levels (capture files, call traces, call records, PDUs) and compares data at each level separately. This segmentation allows comprehensive data analysis while managing complexity by breaking down the comparison process into manageable hierarchical stages rather than comparing all data simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the comparison process, organizing data into multiple levels of abstraction. This dimensional approach transforms the complex problem of comparing large data volumes into a structured multi-level process, where each level can be visualized and analyzed independently, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If packet-by-packet comparison is performed on capture files, then the precision of comparison is improved, but the processing time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomparison precisionVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the comparison process into hierarchical levels, performing comparisons at aggregate levels (capture file level, call trace level, call record level) before drilling down to packet level only when necessary. This segmentation enables fast preliminary comparisons that filter out matching cases without requiring detailed packet-by-packet analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial comparison by performing detailed packet-level comparison only on specific portions of data that require it, rather than comparing all packets uniformly. The system performs aggregate-level comparisons first and only applies excessive detailed action where needed, improving overall processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9143414B2Scenario, call, and protocol data unit hierarchical comparator

Publication Date: 2015.09.22 NETSCOUT SYSTEMS TEXAS LLC

AI summary

A system, method and computer program product monitors the operation of a telecommunications network and receives source metadata at a metadata comparator. The source metadata is associated with data captured from a source in a telecommunications network. Target metadata associated with target data is also received at the metadata comparator. The source and target metadata are compared to identify metadata parameters that match or do not match. Bias data is also received at the metadata comparator. The bias data comprises weighting parameters and/or tolerance parameters. The weighting and tolerance parameters correspond to selected metadata parameters.