Programmable Network Analytics Layer for Throughput and Performance Trade-offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network device performance deteriorates due to factors like increased data traffic, improper routing, and inadequate processing capabilities, leading to suboptimal network operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a layered architecture for programmable analytics on network data, comprising a data layer to construct flow behavior information, an inline heuristic layer for statistical analysis, and a presentation layer to filter and plot insights, enabling network administrators to make configuration adjustments for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If network devices process increased data traffic, then network throughput is improved, but device performance deteriorates due to inadequate processing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated analytics engine as an intermediary component that processes network data independently from the main network device operations. This analytics engine collects, analyzes, and generates insights from network data without interfering with the primary data forwarding functions, allowing performance monitoring and optimization without compromising device performance under increased traffic loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network device functionality into separate modules: data collection layer, analytics processing layer, and configuration management layer. This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently, enabling analytics processing to be performed without burdening the main data forwarding path, thus maintaining device performance while enabling productivity improvements through better network optimization.
2Productivity
If configuration changes are made to network devices, then performance optimization is achieved, but network operations become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service analytics system that automatically collects network data, analyzes performance metrics, generates optimization recommendations, and applies configuration changes without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously monitors network conditions, identifies performance issues, and implements corrective configurations, thereby improving network performance while minimizing the complexity burden on administrators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a closed-loop feedback system where network performance is continuously monitored, analyzed, and used to automatically adjust configurations. The analytics engine receives performance data, processes it through analytical models, generates optimization recommendations, implements changes, and validates results, creating a self-correcting system that reduces configuration complexity while maintaining performance optimization.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive network data is collected for analysis, then network visibility is improved, but data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential and relevant features from comprehensive network data for analysis, rather than processing all raw data. The analytics engine identifies and extracts key performance indicators, critical metrics, and significant patterns from the data stream, discarding redundant information. This extraction approach maintains comprehensive network visibility while significantly reducing the computational power and processing requirements needed for analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for performing programmable analytics on network data are described. A data layer constructs flow behavior information based on information present within headers of data packets flowing across one or more network devices configured in a computer network. An inline heuristics layer performs one or more inline heuristic operations on the flow behavior information to obtain aggregate statistical information. An integrated analytics layer performs one or more analytical operations on the flow behavior information to obtain network insights. A presentation layer filters and plots information obtained from the data layer, the inline heuristics layer, and the integrated analytics layer, based on a user input.