Topology Estimation Using Normalized Traffic Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods struggle to accurately estimate the connection relationship of devices in communication networks where traffic flow rates are constant or small, making it difficult to grasp the network topology.

Innovation Solution

A topology estimation system that includes a traffic generation device generating traffic with different feature amounts for each set of connected interfaces and a topology estimation device that estimates the connection relationship from the observed traffic correlation, using a traffic generation unit and a traffic transmitting unit to apply and collect traffic data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional traffic flow rate correlation method is used, then simple implementation is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates when traffic flow rate is constant or small

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidconnection relationship estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the traffic parameter from raw traffic flow rate to traffic flow rate normalized by reference traffic flow rate. This parameter transformation enables the system to detect connection relationships even when absolute traffic flow rates are constant or small, as the normalized ratio can still reveal characteristic patterns and correlations between interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If traffic flow rate correlation is used for topology estimation, then existing infrastructure is utilized, but measurement precision deteriorates in backup systems with constant traffic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexisting infrastructure utilizationVSAvoidconnection relationship detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces normalized traffic flow rate as a new parameter that transforms constant traffic patterns into detectable correlations. By dividing actual traffic flow rate by reference traffic flow rate, the system can identify connection relationships in backup systems where absolute traffic rates are constant but relative patterns remain informative.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual reference traffic flow rate profile that copies and compares against actual measured traffic. This virtual reference acts as a template that enables detection of connection relationships without requiring actual traffic variation, allowing the system to work with constant traffic patterns in backup systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If raw traffic flow rate is used for correlation analysis, then data processing is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates when traffic flow rate is small

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing complexityVSAvoidinterface connection detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the traffic flow rate parameter into a normalized ratio format. This changes the scale and distribution of the data, allowing correlation analysis to detect connections even when absolute traffic rates are small. The normalized parameter amplifies relative differences that would be invisible in raw traffic rate analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12192091B2Topology estimation system, traffic generation apparatus, and traffic generation method

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A topology estimation system that estimates the connection relationship of interfaces of a plurality of devices includes: a topology estimation device 1 that estimates the connection relationship of the interfaces from the correlation of traffic observed at each of the interfaces connected to each other; and a traffic generation device 4 that generates traffic to be transmitted to the interfaces. The traffic generation device 4 includes: a traffic generation unit 42 that generates traffic so that a different feature amount appears for each set of the interfaces connected to each other; and a traffic transmitting unit 43 that transmits the traffic to the interfaces.