Network Alarm Confidence Level Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network devices often generate alarms due to temporary or erratic conditions, leading to confusion and inefficient response from other devices and administrators, as different devices have varying criteria for raising alarms and may output false alarms.
Innovation Solution
Network devices determine a confidence level for alarms and provide this information to other devices, allowing them to respond more efficiently and accurately by verifying alarm conditions and updating alarm messages with confidence levels such as 'Triggered', 'Testing', 'Tested', 'Cleared', 'Inconsistent', or 'Unknown'.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network devices output alarms based on threshold conditions, then alarm generation is automated and consistent, but false alarms occur due to temporary or erroneous conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary testing of alarm conditions before generating alarms. The network device tests whether the condition that triggered the alarm is still present and valid. This preliminary verification action prevents false alarms from being generated in the first place, improving alarm accuracy without requiring complex post-alarm verification processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by re-evaluating alarm conditions after initial alarm generation. The network device receives feedback about the current state of the monitored condition and adjusts its alarm generation accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to cancel alarms if conditions change, improving reliability while maintaining a relatively simple structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network devices use different alarm criteria, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but confusion arises for devices and administrators analyzing alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary layer in the form of standardized alarm messages that include confidence level information. This intermediary structure allows each network device to maintain its own optimized alarm criteria while providing a uniform, enriched alarm format to the network management system. The standardized message format with confidence levels acts as a mediator that resolves the contradiction between device-specific optimization and standardized interpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of alarm messages by adding confidence level information (high, medium, low) to the standard alarm format. This parameter enhancement allows the alarm to carry additional context about the reliability of the condition without changing the basic alarm structure. This enables devices to maintain their specific alarm criteria while providing richer information for analysis.
3Productivity
If network devices immediately respond to alarms, then response time is minimized, but unnecessary actions are taken due to false or temporary alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary testing of alarm conditions before generating alarms. By testing whether the condition is still present and valid before alarm generation, the system avoids initiating unnecessary verification and response processes for false alarms. This preliminary action filters out spurious alarms early, improving response efficiency by directing resources only to genuine issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its response based on alarm confidence levels. Rather than a static immediate response to all alarms, the system adapts its response behavior according to the confidence level indicated in the alarm message. High confidence alarms trigger immediate response, while low confidence alarms may be deferred or require additional verification, optimizing the balance between response speed and resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure describes techniques that enable a network device to determine a confidence level for a network alarm and provide information indicative of the confidence level to other devices. For example, a network device may experience any number of conditions that cause the network device to output an alarm. In addition to or instead of simply sending out the alarm, the network device may perform operations to determine a confidence level associated with the alarm. For instance, the network device may determine whether the conditions that caused the alarm continue or whether the conditions can be validated. The network device may output information indicative of the confidence level.