Method and apparatus for customizably calculating and displaying health of a computer network

• US 20020133584A1
• Filed: 01/17/2001
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Adams, John C., Greuel, James R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,003,564 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/024 using relational databases for representation of network management data, e.g. managing via structured query language [SQL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5009 Determining service level performance parameters or violations of service level contracts, e.g. violations of agreed response time or mean time between failures [MTBF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/065 related to network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0829 Packet loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0852 Delays
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/10 Active monitoring, e.g. heartbeat, ping or trace-route

Abstract

Apparatus and methods facilitate customizable and extensible performance monitoring of a computer network. One method accepts a composite score definition in terms of N system variables, wherein N≧2; determines N raw data values, each raw data value corresponding to one of the N system variables; computes the composite score in accordance with the definition using the N raw data values as inputs; and outputs the composite score. The composite score definition is preferably in the form of a markup language, such as XML. The composite score definition preferably comprises, for each of the N system variables, a mapping and a weight. Preferably the composite score is displayed in at least one graphic form, such as a dial gauge, a bar indicator or a number, on a hypertext page. The hypertext page preferably contains one or more links to hypertext pages containing information regarding the scores and/or raw data values from which the composite score is derived. Another method accepts a mapping by which a raw data value associated with a corresponding system variable is mapped to a score, determines a raw data value corresponding to the system variable, converts the raw data value to a score in accordance with the mapping; and produces an output based on the score. One apparatus comprises a composite score definition, a data collector, a calculation logic and an output. The data collector collects a raw data value corresponding to one of the N system variables. The calculation logic is connected to the data collector and calculates the composite score in accordance with the definition using the N raw data values as inputs. The composite score is conveyed by way of the output. Preferably, the data collector comprises a database in which at least some of the raw data values are stored and a communication module by which at least some of the raw data values are transported, preferably according to the SNMP and/or the ICMP protocols. Another apparatus comprises a mapping, a data collector, a converter and an output. A raw data value associated with a corresponding system variable is mapped to a score, according to the mapping.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating performance monitoring of a computer network, the method comprising:

accepting a composite score definition in terms of N different system variables, wherein N≧

2;

determining N raw data values, each raw data value corresponding to one of the N system variables;

computing the composite score in accordance with the score definition using the N raw data values as inputs; and

outputting the composite score.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the composite score definition comprises the following for each of the N system variables:

a mapping by which a raw data value associated with a corresponding system variable is mapped to a score; and

a weight; and

the computing step comprises;

converting each raw data value associated with a corresponding system variable into a score in accordance with a respective mapping, whereby N scores result; and

combining the N scores in a weighted proportion according to their respective weights, so as to result in the composite score.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the composite score definition is in the form of a markup language.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the N system variables is a variable associated with a network device selected from the group consisting of a node, a router, a hub, a server, a gateway, a switch, a bridge, a node interface, a link, and a customer premise equipment.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the N system variables is selected from the group consisting of an up/down status, an error rate, a packet discard rate, a buffer level, a congestion metric, a latency metric, a retransmission count, a collision count, a negative acknowledgement count, a processor utilization metric, a storage utilization metric and a time since last reset.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the mappings is defined by one or more of the group selected from a formula, a table and an identity function.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining step comprises:

utilizing one or more protocols to collect raw data values, wherein at least one of the protocols is selected from the group consisting of SNMP and ICMP.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the determining step further comprises:

storing the raw data values; and

retrieving the raw data values.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein at least one of the raw data values is part of a MIB.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the outputting step comprises:

displaying the composite score in at least one graphic form, wherein the graphic form is selected from the group consisting of a dial gauge, a bar indicator and a number.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the outputting step comprises:

displaying the composite score in a hypertext page.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the hypertext page contains one or more links to hypertext pages containing information regarding the scores and/or raw data values from which the composite score is derived.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the composite score is selected from a group consisting of a composite network health score, a composite router health score, a composite customer premise equipment health score, a composite access link health score, a composite key device health score and a composite server health score.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the data collector comprises:

a database in which at least some of the raw data values are stored; and

a communication module by which at least some of the raw data values are transported.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the communication module operates in accordance with a protocol selected from the group consisting of SNMP and ICMP.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the composite score definition comprises the following for each of the N system variables:

a mapping by which a raw data value associated with a corresponding system variable is mapped to a score; and

a weight; and

the calculation logic comprises;

a converter that converts the raw data values into a corresponding score in accordance with a respective mapping, whereby N scores result; and

a combiner, connected to the converter, wherein the combiner combines the N converted scores in a weighted proportion according to their respective weights, so as to result in the composite score.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a filter, connected between the composite score definition and the data collector, wherein the filter blocks access to certain system resources, according to a predetermined criteria.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a filter, connected between the data collector and the converter, wherein the filter excludes certain raw data, according to a predetermined criteria.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a composite score definition in terms of N different system variables, wherein N≧

2;

a data collector, interfaced to the definition, wherein the data collector collects, for each of the N system variables, a raw data value corresponding to one of the N system variables;

calculation logic, connected to the data collector, wherein the calculation logic calculates the composite score in accordance with the composite score definition using the N raw data values as inputs; and

an output by which the composite score is conveyed.

20. A method for facilitating performance monitoring of a computer network, the method comprising:

accepting a mapping by which a raw data value associated with a corresponding system variable is mapped to a score;

determining a raw data value corresponding to the system variable;

converting the raw data value to a score in accordance with the mapping; and

producing an output based on the score.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the mapping is in the form of a markup language.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein at least one of the N system variables is a variable associated with a network device selected from the group consisting of a node, a router, a hub, a server, a gateway, a switch, a bridge, a node interface, a link, and a customer premise equipment.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein at least one of the N system variables is selected from the group consisting of an up/down status, an error rate, a packet discard rate, a buffer level, a congestion metric, a latency metric, a retransmission count, a collision count, a negative acknowledgement count, a processor utilization metric, a storage utilization metric and a time since last reset.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein at least one of the mappings is defined by one or more of the group selected from a formula and a table.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein the determining step comprises:

utilizing one or more protocols to collect raw data values, wherein at least one of the protocols is selected from the group consisting of SNMP and ICMP.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the determining step further comprises:

storing the raw data values; and

retrieving the raw data values.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein at least one of the raw data values is part of a MIB.

28. The method of claim 20 wherein the output comprises a graphic, wherein the graphic is selected from the group consisting of a dial gauge, a bar indicator and a number.

29. The method of claim 20 wherein the output comprises a hypertext page.

30. An apparatus comprising:

a mapping by which a raw data value associated with a corresponding system variable is mapped to a score; and

a data collector, wherein the data collector collects a raw data value corresponding to the system variable;

a converter that converts the raw data values into a corresponding score in accordance with the mapping; and

an output by which is conveyed an indication based on the score.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the data collector comprises:

a database in which at least some of the raw data values are stored; and

a communication module by which at least some of the raw data values are transported.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the communication module operates in accordance with a protocol selected from the group consisting of SNMP and ICMP.

33. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a filter, connected between the mapping and the data collector, wherein the filter blocks access to certain system resources, according to a predetermined criteria.

34. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a filter, connected between the data collector and the converter, wherein the filter excludes certain raw data, according to a predetermined criteria.

36. The computer readable medium of claim 35 wherein at least one of the raw data values is part of a MIB, and wherein the determining step comprises utilizing the SNMP protocol.

37. The computer readable medium of claim 35 wherein the outputting step comprises:

displaying the composite score in at least one graphic form, wherein the graphic form is selected from the group consisting of a dial gauge, a bar indicator and a number;

accepting a request to display additional information; and

in response to the request to display additional information, displaying information regarding the scores and/or raw data values from which the composite score is derived.

38. The computer readable medium of claim 35

wherein at least one of the N system variables is a variable associated with a network device selected from the group consisting of a node, a router, a hub, a server, a gateway, a switch, a bridge, a node interface, a link, and a customer premise equipment;

wherein at least one of the N system variables is selected from the group consisting of an up/down status, an error rate, a packet discard rate, a buffer level, a congestion metric, a latency metric, a retransmission count, a collision count, a negative acknowledgement count, a processor utilization metric, a storage utilization metric and a time since last reset; and

wherein the composite score is selected from a group consisting of a composite network health score, a composite router health score, a composite customer premise equipment health score, a composite access link health score, a composite key device health score and a composite server health score.

40. The computer readable medium of claim 39 wherein at least one of the mappings is defined by one or more of the group selected from a formula and a table.

41. The computer readable medium of claim 39 wherein the outputting step comprises:

displaying the composite score in at least one graphic form, wherein the graphic form is selected from the group consisting of a dial gauge, a bar indicator and a number;

accepting a request to display additional information; and

in response to the request to display additional information, displaying information regarding the scores and/or raw data values from which the composite score is derived.

42. The computer readable medium of claim 39

wherein at least one of the N system variables is a variable associated with a network device selected from the group consisting of a node, a router, a hub, a server, a gateway, a switch, a bridge, a node interface, a link, and a customer premise equipment;

and

wherein at least one of the N system variables is selected from the group consisting of an up/down status, an error rate, a packet discard rate, a buffer level, a congestion metric, a latency metric, a retransmission count, a collision count, a negative acknowledgement count, a processor utilization metric, a storage utilization metric and a time since last reset.

35. A computer readable medium on which is embedded a program, the program performing a method comprising the following steps:

accepting a composite score definition in terms of N different system variables, wherein N≧

2;

determining N raw data values, each raw data value corresponding to one of the N system variables;

computing the composite score in accordance with the score definition using the N raw data values as inputs; and

outputting the composite score.

39. A computer readable medium on which is embedded a program, the program performing a method comprising the following steps:

accepting a mapping by which a raw data value associated with a corresponding system variable is mapped to a score;

determining a raw data value corresponding to the system variable;

converting the raw data value to a score in accordance with the mapping; and

producing an output based on the score.

43. An apparatus for facilitating performance monitoring of a computer network, the apparatus comprising:

a means for accepting a composite score definition, the composite score definition comprising;

a list of N different system variables;

for each system variable, a mapping by which a raw data value associated with the corresponding system variable is mapped to a score; and

for each system variable, a weight;

a means for determining N raw data values, each raw data value corresponding to one of the N system variables;

a means for converting each raw data value associated with a corresponding system variable into a score in accordance with its associated mapping, whereby N scores result;

a means for combining the N scores in a weighted proportion according to their respective weights, so as to result in a composite score; and

a means for outputting the composite score.