Peer-Comparison Outlier Detection for Hidden WAN Path Performance Issues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network management systems struggle to detect poor-performing logical paths in computer networks, as these paths may meet service level agreement (SLA) metrics despite subpar performance, and lack visibility into WAN link health.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based network management system (NMS) that monitors logical paths to identify outliers by comparing performance metrics across different regions, organizations, or deployments, and notifies administrators with recommendations for remedial actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional SLA metrics are used to evaluate logical paths, then compliance with service level agreements is maintained, but poor-performing logical paths cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring approach by introducing a dedicated outlier detection module that operates independently from traditional SLA compliance checking. This module specifically analyzes performance metrics to identify logical paths that deviate from normal performance patterns, enabling detection of poor performance that would otherwise be missed by standard SLA metrics alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing outlier detection for specific performance metrics rather than requiring complete overhaul of the entire monitoring system. The outlier detection focuses on identifying deviations in key performance indicators, providing enhanced detection capability without the need to redesign the entire network monitoring infrastructure.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive path data collection is implemented across all logical paths, then visibility into WAN link health is improved, but data processing complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by collecting comprehensive path data specifically at logical path boundaries where performance anomalies are most likely to manifest. Rather than uniformly monitoring all network segments with equal intensity, the system focuses data collection efforts on logical paths that connect network devices over WAN links, where outlier performance is most critical to detect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring collection of performance metrics on logical paths before anomalies occur. The system continuously gathers path data including latency, jitter, and packet loss metrics, storing this information for subsequent outlier analysis, thereby ensuring visibility into WAN link health is already established when detection is needed.
3Measurement precision
If outlier detection is performed across all logical paths in the network, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing outlier detection across logical paths in a phased manner, initially focusing on critical paths that connect important network devices. The system processes path data for outlier detection on prioritized logical paths first, providing accurate detection for high-value targets while managing computational resources efficiently, rather than simultaneously analyzing every single logical path in the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating simplified representations of logical path performance data that can be processed more efficiently. The system maintains copies of key performance metrics in optimized data structures that enable faster comparison and outlier identification, reducing the computational burden of analyzing comprehensive path data across all logical paths.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for determining one or more outlier logical paths in a computer network. A cloud-based network management system stores path data received from a plurality of network devices operating as network gateways for an enterprise network, the path data collected by each network device of the plurality of network devices for one or more logical paths of a physical interface from the network device over a wide area network (WAN). The network management system compares the path data for the plurality of logical paths to determine one or more outlier logical paths out of the plurality of logical paths. The network management system, in response to determining the one or more outlier logical paths, output a notification indicative of the one or more outlier path data out of the plurality of logical paths.