Network Device Importance Ranking via Topology Matrix
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Solution Overview
Problem
In commercial network deployments, critical network devices such as switches are often not immediately identifiable by alerting systems, leading to potential network disruptions, as network operators lack prescriptive inputs to guide notifications and reporting of network status effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method to automatically determine the importance of network devices based on network connection topology, using a topology matrix to calculate a health score, which ranks devices by relative importance and alerts operators to critical issues without requiring manual tagging or prescriptive inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tagging of critical network devices is implemented, then device importance identification accuracy is improved, but system complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines device importance by analyzing topology data, managed endpoints, and activity metrics without requiring manual operator intervention or tagging. The health score calculation is performed autonomously based on discovered network characteristics, eliminating the need for prescriptive inputs while maintaining accurate device prioritization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual tagging mechanisms with an automated computational system that uses matrix operations and algorithmic analysis to determine device importance. The topology matrix and health score calculations substitute for human judgment and manual classification processes
2Reliability
If comprehensive network monitoring is implemented, then network issue detection capability is improved, but information overload and difficulty in prioritizing critical issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system assigns different health scores to different network devices based on their specific topology position, managed endpoints, and activity levels. This differential scoring approach allows operators to focus on the most critical devices first, transforming uniform monitoring data into prioritized actionable information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms raw monitoring data into a derived parameter (health score) that combines multiple factors including topology importance, endpoint management status, and device activity. This parameter transformation condenses complex multi-dimensional information into a single prioritization metric
3Loss of time
If automatic health score calculation is implemented, then response time to critical network issues is improved, but computational resources and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary topology discovery and matrix construction during periods when network conditions are stable, preparing the computational framework in advance. This allows health score calculations to be performed more efficiently when issues arise, as the topological relationships are already established
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses matrix representations to model network topology, creating a simplified computational copy of the physical network structure. This abstract representation enables efficient algorithmic processing of device relationships without requiring direct analysis of complex physical connections
Data Source
AI summary
Determining the importance of network devices based on a discovered topology, managed endpoints, and activity may be provided. First, topology data may be received corresponding to a network comprising a plurality of devices. Then, a topology matrix may be created representing the topology data. Next, a stationary matrix may be determined from the topology matrix. The stationary matrix may indicate a relative importance of each of the plurality of devices within the network. A health score may then be determined for at least one of the plurality of devices based on the relative importance of the at least one of the plurality of devices. The health score may be determined using the stationary matrix.