System analysis

• US 20030097245A1
• Filed: 11/19/2002
• Published: 05/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Taylor, Richard, Christodoulou, Athena, Tofts, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 7,778,804 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/13
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/142 using statistical or mathematical methods
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/145 involving simulating, designing, planning or modelling of a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/147 for predicting network behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0864 Round trip delays
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/12 Network monitoring probes
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0083 Network planning or design; Modelling of planned or existing networks

Abstract

Apparatus for producing an electronic model of a communications network or system having at least one host and a plurality of notes connected thereto, directly or otherwise, the apparatus comprising means for obtaining data relating to at least some of the notes and/or the host and means for creating an electronic model of the system or network using the data. The apparatus comprises a trusted computer host (16) for use in analysing the network (10). The trusted computer host (16) comprises means (18) for detecting nodes (14) on the network. As nodes (14) are detected, sampling probes (20) are inserted at each such node (14) wherever possible. The probes (20) take measurements at the respective nodes and return the resultant data to the trusted computer host (16). For a case where it is not possible to insert a probe (20) at a detected node (14), the trusted computer host (16) comprises means (22) for performing traffic analysis and obtaining a profile of behaviour between that node (14) and the network host (12). The data received from the probes (20) and the traffic analysis data is used by model simulation means (24) in the trusted computer host (16) to create a model of the network (10).

Claims

1. Apparatus for producing an electronic model of a communications network or system having at least one host and a plurality of nodes connected thereto, directly or otherwise, the apparatus comprising detection apparatus for determining the presence of and identifying nodes in the network or system, a data collection system for obtaining for obtaining data relating to at least some of said nodes and modelling apparatus for creating an electronic model of said system or network using said data.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the model may be translated into a plurality of representations for differing analysis purposes.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, being arranged to insert sampling probes at said identified nodes in at least some parts of the system for taking measurements therefrom.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising a traffic analysis arrangement for performing traffic analysis at a node at which is not possible to insert a probe in order to obtain a profile of its behaviour.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data return from either the sampling nodes or the traffic analysis is used to construct a model of the network, which may be simulated and/or translated into some other format for analysis.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, arranged to periodically or substantially continuously supply live or real-time nodal data to the modelling apparatus so that the model can be updated to reflect a current state of the network or system.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a system for running the model in super real time to facilitate one or more of fault analysis, fault/Qos failure, and capacity planning.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising analysis apparatus for analysing the model and for providing information relating to any one or more of any problems identified within the network or system, future capacity requirements, and the effect of any future system load changes.

9. Apparatus for producing an electronic model of a communications network or system having at least one host and a plurality of nodes connected thereto, directly or otherwise, the apparatus comprising a data collection system for obtaining data relating to at least some of said nodes and/or said host, and modelling apparatus for creating an electronic model of said system or network using said data, wherein said data collection system is arranged to identify nodes in the system or network, insert sampling probes where possible, at said identified nodes in at least some parts of said network or system for taking measurements therefrom, and perform traffic analysis at a node at which it is not possible to unsend a probe, in order to obtain a profile of its behaviour.

10. Apparatus for producing an electronic model of a communications network or system having at least one host and a plurality of nodes connected thereto, directly or otherwise, the apparatus comprising a data collection system for obtaining data relating to at least some of said nodes and/or said host, and modelling apparatus for creating an electronic model of said system or network using said data, wherein the data collection system is arranged to periodically or continuously obtain live or real time nodal data and apply it to said modelling apparatus which is arranged to create a new or updated model accordingly, so that the current model substantially reflects the current state of the network or system.