Network Device Management via Statistical Traffic Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network management systems lack the ability to accurately monitor and manage network usage across entire networks, making it difficult for administrators to identify congestion points and data flow directions, limiting their understanding of device usage.
Innovation Solution
A network device management method and apparatus that includes a controller and network devices, where statistical traffic data is generated and sent to the controller, allowing for active or passive collection of data on port usage, queue status, and data packets, enabling the controller to manage and adjust routing tables for optimal link utilization and network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If command line or MIB is used to check device usage, then device-level information can be obtained, but network-wide usage and congestion positions cannot be monitored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic monitoring into two complementary parts: device-level monitoring (using MIB for detailed device usage) and network-wide monitoring (using sFlow for overall traffic patterns). This segmentation allows simultaneous acquisition of both granular device metrics and aggregate network traffic data, resolving the contradiction between device-level precision and network-wide information coverage.
2Ease of operation
If traditional management methods are used, then simple device checks are possible, but dynamic path adjustment and congestion management are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where sFlow agents continuously collect network traffic data and send it to the controller, which then uses this feedback to dynamically adjust routing paths and manage congestion. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing network conditions while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring sFlow agents on network devices to continuously monitor and report traffic data before congestion occurs. This proactive data collection enables the controller to anticipate and prevent congestion issues, enhancing network optimization capability while keeping the system easy to operate.
3Measurement precision
If detailed statistical data collection is implemented, then network usage can be accurately monitored, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sFlow agents as intermediary components that handle the complexity of detailed statistical data collection. These agents are deployed on individual devices to collect and aggregate traffic data, then forward processed information to the controller. This intermediary layer enables accurate network usage monitoring while isolating the complexity from the main control system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A network device management method and apparatus are provided. The method includes: generating statistical traffic data, where the statistical traffic data includes at least one of data traffic of a port of a network device, a queue status of the network device, traffic of a data packet that passes through the network device, or traffic of a target data flow that passes through the network device; and sending the statistical traffic data to a controller, where the statistical traffic data is used by the controller to manage the network device. The controller receives statistical traffic data sent by multiple network devices, and can adjust a path of a data flow dynamically according to a traffic status of each port of the multiple network devices or a traffic status of a transmitted data flow in the multiple network devices and by changing routing tables of the network devices, thereby improving link utilization, and further improving network performance.