Use Case Indicator for Distributed Network Trace Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tracing methodologies in distributed networks are inefficient, producing excessive 'noise' and irrelevant data, making it difficult to monitor and troubleshoot software applications, especially in complex environments like cloud computing, 5G, and IoT networks, while also failing to ensure adequate security and privacy protection for sensitive data.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a use-case driven tracing methodology that generates a unique use case indicator for each instance of a workflow, allowing for accurate correlation of trace records across distributed network nodes, thereby eliminating irrelevant data and enhancing security by focusing on salient information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional software-module driven tracing methodologies are used in distributed networks, then tracing functionality is provided, but excessive noise and irrelevant data are produced making it difficult to monitor and troubleshoot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the distributed workflow into discrete use cases, with each use case receiving a unique identifier. This segmentation allows trace records to be organized by use case rather than by software module, filtering out irrelevant data and reducing noise while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability across the distributed network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and isolates only the relevant trace information associated with specific use cases. By using use case indicators to filter and select only the trace records pertinent to each use case, the system eliminates excessive noise and irrelevant data from the tracing output, providing clear and actionable monitoring information.
2Reliability
If conventional tracing systems capture all data, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but security and privacy protection is compromised due to exposure of sensitive information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary monitoring information required for troubleshooting and security analysis. By using use case indicators to selectively capture and transmit only relevant trace records, the system maintains comprehensive monitoring capability while excluding sensitive information that is not necessary for diagnostic purposes, thus protecting security and privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality levels to different parts of the trace data. Critical use case information is captured in full detail for monitoring and troubleshooting, while sensitive or less critical information is either excluded or aggregated. This local differentiation of data quality ensures security and privacy protection while maintaining monitoring effectiveness.
3Measurement precision
If use case driven tracing with unique indicators is implemented, then relevant data correlation is improved, but resource usage increases due to indicator generation and management
Solution Approach 1:
The use case indicator serves multiple functions simultaneously: it uniquely identifies the use case, correlates trace records across different network nodes, and enables efficient filtering and aggregation of relevant data. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate tracking mechanisms, thereby minimizing additional computational overhead while achieving precise trace record correlation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for managing telecommunication networks are disclosed herein and are implemented by a network node executing an atomic function in a distributed workflow. The network node receives input data for processing by the atomic function. If the input data does not include a use case indicator, the network node generates one. If the input data does include a use case indicator, the network node extracts that information from the input data. Regardless of whether the use case indicator is received or generated, however, network node employs the use case indicator to generate a trace record for the particular use case instance. The trace record is then sent to be correlated with other trace records generated for the use case by one or more other network nodes processing the use case in a distributed network flow.