Network Management Apparatus for Traffic Volume Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network management techniques face challenges in accurately monitoring traffic volume across large networks due to increased load on switches when collecting statistical information, leading to potential estimation errors.

Innovation Solution

A management apparatus and method that acquires topology information and selects monitoring target switches to reduce the number of switches from which statistical information is collected, focusing on endpoints of links within the network to minimize load and enhance accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If statistical information is collected from all switches in the network, then the accuracy of traffic volume monitoring is improved, but the load on the network and switches increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic volume monitoring accuracyVSAvoidnetwork load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network into multiple groups, where each group contains a set of switches and a designated monitoring target switch. This segmentation allows statistical information to be collected from selected representative switches in each group rather than all switches, reducing overall network load while maintaining monitoring accuracy through intelligent selection of monitoring targets based on link topology and traffic characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If statistical information is collected at shorter time intervals, then the accuracy of traffic volume monitoring is improved, but the load on switches increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic volume monitoring accuracyVSAvoidswitch processing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and focuses monitoring efforts on specific monitoring target switches that are strategically selected based on network topology and link characteristics. By concentrating statistical information collection on these key switches rather than distributing it across all switches at high frequency, the system achieves accurate traffic volume monitoring while reducing the processing load on individual switches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If monitoring target switches are selected based on link topology, then the accuracy of traffic volume estimation is improved, but the complexity of switch selection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic volume estimation accuracyVSAvoidswitch selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring target switch selection is performed automatically by the management apparatus based on link topology information and predetermined selection criteria. The system self-determines which switches should be monitoring targets by analyzing the network topology and applying selection rules, eliminating the need for manual configuration or complex external intervention while ensuring accurate representation of network traffic patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3270542B1Management apparatus, network management method, and storage medium storing program
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 NEC CORP
  • EP3270542B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3270542B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3270542B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To reduce a load caused to acquire a traffic volume, and contribute to grasp of a precise traffic volume. [Solution] A management apparatus is provided with: a topology information acquisition unit that acquires topology information regarding a group of links having, among a first group of switches included in a network, a switch included in the first group of switches at an end point; a switch selection unit that selects one or more switches to be monitored, which are a set of switches including either of the end points of each link constituting the group of links; and a statistical information acquisition unit that acquires statistical information from the switches being monitored.