Network Traffic Prioritization via Multi-Dimensional Reputation Scoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network traffic prioritization methods are inefficient as they treat all HTTP traffic equally, failing to differentiate between reputable and malicious or unpopular applications and websites, leading to suboptimal bandwidth allocation and security.

Innovation Solution

A network device determines reputation indicators for traffic flows using multiple analysis techniques, calculates a reputation score, and dynamically allocates bandwidth based on these scores to prioritize traffic flows, ensuring more efficient and secure processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If all HTTP traffic is treated equally without differentiation, then network management is simple, but bandwidth allocation is suboptimal and security is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork management simplicityVSAvoidbandwidth allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of traffic classification from basic HTTP protocol identification to multi-dimensional reputation scoring based on multiple analysis techniques (behavioral analysis, content analysis, source/destination reputation). This allows dynamic bandwidth allocation decisions based on calculated reputation scores rather than static traffic types, resolving the contradiction between management simplicity and allocation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If all HTTP traffic is treated equally without differentiation, then device complexity is low, but network security is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic analysis complexityVSAvoidnetwork security
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the traffic analysis process into multiple independent reputation analysis techniques (behavioral analysis, content analysis, source reputation, destination reputation). Each technique independently evaluates different aspects of traffic and contributes to an overall reputation score. This segmentation allows comprehensive security analysis without requiring a single complex analysis system, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and network security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If bandwidth is allocated without considering traffic reputation, then allocation process is simple, but malicious or low-reputation traffic receives excessive bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth allocation simplicityVSAvoidmalicious traffic bandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the bandwidth allocation parameter from uniform distribution to reputation-based dynamic allocation. The system calculates a reputation score for each traffic flow using multiple analysis techniques and allocates bandwidth proportionally to these scores. This ensures that malicious or low-reputation traffic automatically receives less bandwidth without requiring complex manual configuration, resolving the contradiction between allocation simplicity and harmful traffic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3226509B1Dynamic prioritization of network traffic based on reputation
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC
  • EP3226509B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3226509B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3226509B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A network device may determine a plurality of reputation indicators that indicate a measure of reputation associated with the flow. A first reputation indicator, of the plurality of reputation indicators, may be determined based on applying a first reputation analysis technique in association with the flow. A second reputation indicator, of the plurality of reputation indicators, may be determined based on applying a second reputation analysis technique in association with the flow. The second reputation analysis technique may be different from the first reputation analysis technique. The network device may determine a reputation score for the flow based on the plurality of reputation indicators. The network device may prioritize the flow based on the reputation score.