Network Tool Optimizer Automated Traffic Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network monitoring systems face challenges in efficiently managing and forwarding network packets to monitoring tools, requiring manual configuration of filters and limited access to relevant traffic, which can lead to missed or misdirected network traffic.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a network tool optimizer (NTO) with a tool discovery engine and a tool configuration engine that automatically discovers and configures network tool devices, generating packet forwarding rules to forward relevant traffic to connected tools, utilizing a database and user input for optimal traffic management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual configuration of filters is used to forward network packets to monitoring tools, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming manual setup and configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-configuration of packet forwarding rules by discovering monitoring tools and their traffic requirements automatically. The NTO device performs tool discovery, obtains traffic specifications, and generates forwarding rules without manual intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in the configuration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary discovery of monitoring tools and their traffic requirements before actual packet forwarding begins. By obtaining tool specifications and configuring forwarding rules in advance, the system prepares the network infrastructure proactively, eliminating the need for manual configuration during operation.
2Ease of operation
If automated tool discovery and configuration is implemented, then ease of operation improves by eliminating manual filter setup, but device complexity increases due to additional discovery and configuration engines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tool discovery function, traffic specification obtaining function, and forwarding rule generation function into a single integrated NTO device. This merging of previously separate functions into one unified system simplifies the overall network architecture while maintaining automated operation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The NTO device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a packet forwarding device and a tool discovery/configuration system. The single device performs multiple roles including discovering monitoring tools, obtaining their traffic requirements, and configuring forwarding rules, eliminating the need for separate configuration systems.
3Reliability
If automated packet forwarding rules are generated based on discovered tool information, then reliability of traffic forwarding improves, but loss of information increases due to automated processing of tool specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the NTO device continuously monitors forwarding performance and tool responses. By obtaining feedback from monitoring tools about their traffic requirements and adjusting forwarding rules accordingly, the system ensures accurate and reliable packet delivery while maintaining information integrity through iterative refinement.
Data Source
AI summary
Network tool optimizers and related methods are disclosed that provide automated discovery and configuration of network tool devices. The disclosed embodiments include tool processors having tool discovery engines and tool configuration engines that provide discovery of tool information and generation of rules for filter engines within the network tool optimizer (NTO) so that relevant network traffic received by the NTO is forwarded to network tool devices connected to the NTO. New network traffic sources connected to the NTO can also be automatically configured to forward relevant traffic to the network tool devices based upon the discovered tool information. Further, a database of tool information can be stored within the NTO and can be used by the NTO in determining relevant traffic for connected tool devices. A variety of different implementations can use the automatic tool discovery and configuration embodiments.