Root-cause approach to problem diagnosis in data networks
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring a data network comprising the steps of:
- storing network topology information that specifies interconnections and interdependencies among components of said data network;
defining a hierarchy of protocol layers on a basis of dependencies among said protocol layers in implementing functions utilizing said components of said data network;
associating each said protocol layer with each said component on which implementations of said functions are related, thereby associating at least some of said components with a plurality of said protocol layers;
identifying tests from which measurements are indications of health within said data network;
associating said measurements with said protocol layers on a basis of relationships between said measurements and said protocol layers; and
ascertaining health of said data network, including identifying present health conditions of said protocol layers and said components on a basis of associations between said measurements and said protocol layers and on a basis of associations between said protocol layers and said components.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of monitoring a data network includes storing topology information that identifies interconnections and interdependencies among network components, as well as links between websites and the components. Each component is also mapped to relevant protocol layers of a hierarchy of protocol layers that are ranked according to dependencies among the protocol layers in implementing functions. Network test measurements are also mapped to the appropriate protocol layers. Based upon the topology information and the various forms of mapping information, a user is able to navigate through a web-based user interface to determine root causes of network problems. Alternatively, an automated correlation process may be used to prioritize alerts of network problems, so that the root cause can be more easily ascertained.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring a data network comprising the steps of:
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storing network topology information that specifies interconnections and interdependencies among components of said data network;
defining a hierarchy of protocol layers on a basis of dependencies among said protocol layers in implementing functions utilizing said components of said data network;
associating each said protocol layer with each said component on which implementations of said functions are related, thereby associating at least some of said components with a plurality of said protocol layers;
identifying tests from which measurements are indications of health within said data network;
associating said measurements with said protocol layers on a basis of relationships between said measurements and said protocol layers; and
ascertaining health of said data network, including identifying present health conditions of said protocol layers and said components on a basis of associations between said measurements and said protocol layers and on a basis of associations between said protocol layers and said components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of monitoring a data network comprising the steps of:
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mapping interconnections among components of said data network, thereby defining a physical topology;
mapping websites available via said data network to said components which support said websites, thereby defining logical topologies;
mapping functionalities of said data network to said components which enable said functionalities, including ranking said functionalities on a basis of functionality-to-functionality dependencies for implementation, thereby defining a layer hierarchy;
mapping each said component to each said functionality which said component is enabled to implement, thereby defining component-to-functionality mapping information;
mapping each of a plurality of test measurements to each said functionality for which said each test measurement is indicative of the operating state of said functionality as applied to one of said components, thereby defining measurement-to-functionality mapping information; and
enabling identifications of causes of network problems based on utilizing (1) said physical topology, (2) said logical topologies, (3) said layer hierarchy, (4) said component-to-functionality mapping information and (5) said measurement-to-functionality mapping information. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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16. A method of monitoring a data network comprising the steps of:
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storing first mapping information that is representative of a physical topology of network components;
storing second mapping information that is representative of a logical topology of transaction-related network access points;
storing third mapping information that is representative of network protocol layers;
storing fourth mapping information that is representative of which of said network protocol layers are implemented using which of said network components;
storing fifth mapping information that is representative of which network tests provide measurements that are indicative of states of which protocol layers in which components; and
enabling detection of network problems using said first, second, third, fourth and fifth mapping information.
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Specification