Probe Registration via Converged Network Identifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network performance monitoring systems face challenges in selecting a representative subset of probes for testing, as existing methods often result in unrepresentative or overloaded networks, especially in converged environments where devices have multiple identities.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using a converged network identifier created from various device attributes, such as IP network address, extension number, and network region, to select a probe set that accurately represents the network population, allowing for a more realistic simulation of network conditions during performance testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire population of possible probes is used for network performance testing, then comprehensive network coverage is achieved, but the network may become overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary subset of probes from the entire network population for performance testing. By using statistical sampling methods, the system selects a representative portion of probes that provides sufficient network coverage without requiring all devices to participate, thereby avoiding network overload while maintaining testing comprehensiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using a subset of probes rather than the complete population. The sampling rate can be adjusted to provide adequate statistical representation without over-testing the network, allowing optimization between coverage and network load based on specific testing requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual configuration or first-come first-served basis is used for probe selection, then implementation is simple, but the probe set cannot ensure representative characteristics of the total network population
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the probe selection system continuously monitors network characteristics and adjusts the selected probe set to maintain representativeness. The system collects information about device types, network locations, and traffic parameters, then uses this feedback to ensure the active probe set accurately reflects the total network population distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the selection parameters from simple manual or sequential criteria to statistically-based criteria that consider device type distribution, network location distribution, and traffic parameter characteristics. By adjusting these parameters, the system ensures the probe set maintains representative proportions of different network segments.
3Ease of operation
If IP address alone is used to identify probes, then identification is straightforward, but it is insufficient for converged networks where devices have multiple identities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal probe identification mechanism that works across multiple network domains. The system maps different identity types (IP addresses, extension numbers, multimedia identifiers) to a unified probe identification framework, allowing the same identification approach to function effectively in both traditional data networks and converged networks with telephony and multimedia domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mapping layer that translates between various device identity formats and the probe selection/identification system. This intermediary mechanism allows devices with different identity types to be uniformly identified and selected as probes without requiring changes to the core selection logic.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to network monitoring systems. Test probes available for use in connection with network monitoring are registered. As part of the registration of test probes, information related to the type of device implemented by each test probe is also collected. Information related to the network or subnetwork with which each device is associated may also be collected. The collected information may therefore comprise system topology discovery. In addition, the collected information may be used to select distributions of device types in order to implement particular test schemes or protocols.