Timestamp Correction for Network Traffic Data Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Deviation in time stamps between data from network apparatuses of different layers and vendors hinders correct data analysis, especially when managing and analyzing traffic data and CPU usage rates across various management systems.

Innovation Solution

A time stamp correction apparatus that determines physically connected interfaces based on similarity in traffic waveforms and generates correction information using feature points of time-series data to align time stamps, enabling accurate data analysis across disparate management systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data is acquired by multiple management systems with different data acquisition concepts, then comprehensive network monitoring is achieved, but time stamp deviation occurs between data from different systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive network monitoringVSAvoidtime stamp accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (time stamp correction apparatus) that mediates between multiple management systems with different data acquisition concepts. This apparatus collects time series data from multiple interfaces, determines correspondence relationships between interfaces based on data characteristics, calculates time stamp deviations, and generates correction information. The intermediary resolves the time stamp deviation problem without requiring changes to the existing diverse management systems, thereby maintaining comprehensive network monitoring while achieving time stamp alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the time stamp parameter by calculating deviations between corresponding interfaces and generating correction information. The system adjusts the time stamp values of data from different management systems based on the calculated deviations, transforming the original inconsistent time parameters into aligned time parameters that enable accurate combined analysis while preserving the diversity of data acquisition methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If data from network apparatuses of different layers and vendors is combined for analysis, then broader network coverage is achieved, but time stamp deviations prevent correct data analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoiddata analysis accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The time stamp correction apparatus serves as an intermediary that enables reliable data analysis across diverse network apparatuses from different layers and vendors. It collects time series data from multiple interfaces representing different network apparatuses, determines correspondence relationships based on data characteristics, calculates time stamp deviations, and generates correction information. This intermediary mechanism preserves the broad network coverage while ensuring data analysis accuracy through systematic time stamp alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the problem of time stamp deviation into manageable components: (1) collecting time series data from multiple interfaces, (2) determining correspondence relationships between interfaces based on data characteristics, (3) calculating time stamp deviations for each correspondence relationship, and (4) generating correction information. This segmentation allows the system to handle diverse network apparatuses systematically while maintaining both broad coverage and analysis reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If traditional data collection methods are used without correction, then system simplicity is maintained, but time stamp deviations lead to incorrect analysis results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidanalysis result accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The time stamp correction apparatus operates autonomously by automatically collecting time series data from multiple interfaces, determining correspondence relationships based on data characteristics, calculating time stamp deviations, and generating correction information without requiring manual intervention. The system self-adjusts the time stamp parameters and enables corrected data analysis, maintaining relative system simplicity while achieving accurate analysis results through automated time stamp alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11831532B2Timestamp correction apparatus, time stamp correction method, and program

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A time stamp correction apparatus that corrects a deviation between time stamps of pieces of data acquired by physically connected NW apparatuses by correcting a deviation in a time stamp between pieces of traffic data is provided. The time stamp correction apparatus includes a waveform similarity computation unit that determines an IF pair based on a similarity between waveforms of time-series data of traffic observed in respective interfaces of the NW apparatuses, and a time stamp correction unit that generates correction information for correcting a deviation between the time stamps of the pieces of data based on feature points of time-series data of traffic observed in the IF pair.