Network User Tracking via Push Notifications and Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network tracking methods using pull-based mechanisms consume excessive network bandwidth and lead to time-gaps in real-time user information, especially when dealing with multiple switch ports and wireless devices, increasing complexity and reducing performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a push-based mechanism that generates notifications based on user events, combined with a correlating engine to store and resolve duplicate MAC addresses, allowing for real-time tracking of users across wired and wireless network devices without continuous pull-based data retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a pull-based mechanism is used to retrieve user information from network devices, then user tracking information can be collected, but network bandwidth is unnecessarily consumed and network performance is slowed down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional pull-based approach by implementing a push-based mechanism. Instead of the AAA server periodically querying network devices for user information, the network devices push their own information (MAC address, IP address, switch port) to the AAA server when changes occur. This inversion eliminates continuous network traffic for data retrieval while ensuring real-time information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
Network devices perform self-reporting by automatically pushing their own identification and connection information to the AAA server without requiring external queries. Each device monitors its own state and proactively notifies the server of any changes, making the system self-service oriented and eliminating the need for continuous server-initiated data collection.
2Loss of information
If a pull-based mechanism is executed continuously to ensure current user information, then real-time tracking is maintained, but time-gaps are introduced between real-time information and available information
Solution Approach 1:
The push-based mechanism ensures continuous information availability by triggering data transmission immediately when network device states change. The system maintains continuous monitoring of device connections and automatically pushes updates as they occur, eliminating the time-gaps inherent in periodic pull-based queries while preserving real-time tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements event-driven feedback where network devices monitor their own connection states and provide immediate feedback to the AAA server when changes occur. This feedback mechanism ensures that the server receives updated user information instantly upon connection establishment or changes, eliminating delays associated with scheduled pull queries.
3Measurement precision
If multiple network devices share the same MAC address, then tracking accuracy is compromised, but using a composite key increases database complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the unique identification problem by combining multiple independent attributes (MAC address, IP address, switch port address) into a composite key structure. Each attribute serves as a separate identifier, and their combination provides unique device identification even when individual attributes like MAC address are duplicated. This segmentation approach maintains tracking accuracy while organizing data in a manageable, scalable manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite key structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it identifies unique devices, resolves MAC address conflicts, tracks device location (switch port), and maintains consistent user profiles across different network configurations. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate complex systems to handle each identification challenge individually.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system are provided for tracking a user in a network. The method and system includes a Network Management System (NMS) to receive notifications from one or more network devices in the network. The notifications are generated by push-based mechanisms. Thereafter, the NMS combines the information received from the notifications in a database. Subsequently, a correlating engine correlates the combined information to track the user.