Performance logging using relative differentials and skip recording
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring network traffic, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) obtaining, by a counter monitor at a first timestamp, a first reading of a value of a counter representing information related to network traffic;
(b) storing, by the counter monitor, the value of the first reading in association with the first timestamp to a storage unit providing a record of counter values over a time period;
(c) obtaining, by the counter monitor, at a second timestamp, a second reading of the value of the counter;
(d) comparing the value of the counter at the second reading to the value of the counter at the first reading; and
(e) if the value of the counter is unchanged, storing the second timestamp to the storage unit without storing the value of the counter at the second reading.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed towards “skip” and “differential” recording techniques for recording values of network parameter to a log in a lossless manner while reducing storage resources used to record such values. The counter monitor of the present invention monitors and records values of counters at time intervals to generate a counter log provided via temporary or permanent storage. The counter monitor compares a reading of the value of the counter to a previously obtained value of the counter. If the value of the counter has not changed, the counter monitor records only the timestamp to the counter log, thereby “skipping” the recording of the unchanged value. If there is any change in the value of the counter, then the change in value of the counter, i.e., a “differential” value, along with the timestamp is stored in the counters log. To further reduce storage resource usage, the counter monitor also stores changes to the timestamps as differential changes in time values.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring network traffic, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) obtaining, by a counter monitor at a first timestamp, a first reading of a value of a counter representing information related to network traffic;
(b) storing, by the counter monitor, the value of the first reading in association with the first timestamp to a storage unit providing a record of counter values over a time period;
(c) obtaining, by the counter monitor, at a second timestamp, a second reading of the value of the counter;
(d) comparing the value of the counter at the second reading to the value of the counter at the first reading; and
(e) if the value of the counter is unchanged, storing the second timestamp to the storage unit without storing the value of the counter at the second reading. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for recording values of monitored counters, the apparatus comprising:
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a storage for storing a record of values over a time period for a counter representing information related to network traffic;
a counter monitor for monitoring a value of the counter, the counter monitor obtaining at a first timestamp a first reading of the value of the counter, and at a second timestamp a second reading of the value of the counter;
the counter monitor storing the value of the first reading in association with the first timestamp to the storage;
a comparator for comparing the first reading of the value of the counter to the second reading of the value of the counter, and if the value of the counter is unchanged, storing by the counter monitor the second timestamp to the storage unit without storing the value of the counter at the second reading. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification