Method and apparatus for learning network behavior trends and predicting future behavior of communications networks
First Claim
1. A method of determining behavior patterns of a communications network from accumulated network parameters, the method including the steps of:
- a) reading accumulated network parameters representing data traffic over a multiple segment communications network with the segments connected by network couplers;
b) determining a set of candidate states of the communications network based upon the accumulated network parameters, each said state being delineated by a learning algorithm;
c) determining a set of candidate transitions among the set of candidate states using the network parameters; and
d) displaying to a user, one or more of the set of candidate states and the set of candidate transitions corresponding to behavior patterns of the multiple segment communications network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method for learning current network behavior and predicting future behavior which utilizes a state transition graph. The graph includes nodes which represent network states, and arcs which represent trends in observable network parameters that result in a transition from a current state to another state. For example, a watch service may be instituted on multiple ports of a router, and the observed network traffic on the ports over time may be transformed into a state transition graph that represents network behavior. The network states may be labeled such as "good", or "bad", etc., according to a predetermined performance criteria. Once a state transition graph is constructed, the system may then monitor the current state and current trends of the network parameters in order to predict and display future network states. The system may include an automatic warning signal for alerting a user that the network is headed in the direction of a problematic state. The prediction of future network behavior may be made from the state transition graph, the current state of the network, and the current network trends.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of determining behavior patterns of a communications network from accumulated network parameters, the method including the steps of:
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a) reading accumulated network parameters representing data traffic over a multiple segment communications network with the segments connected by network couplers; b) determining a set of candidate states of the communications network based upon the accumulated network parameters, each said state being delineated by a learning algorithm; c) determining a set of candidate transitions among the set of candidate states using the network parameters; and d) displaying to a user, one or more of the set of candidate states and the set of candidate transitions corresponding to behavior patterns of the multiple segment communications network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 16)
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6. A method of determining behavior patterns of a communications network, the method including the steps of:
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a) measuring accumulated network parameters representing data traffic, over a multiple segment communications network with the segments connected by network couplers, for a first predetermined time period; b) storing the accumulated network parameters in a data repository; c) reading the accumulated network parameters from the data repository; d) determining a set of candidate states of the network based upon the accumulated network parameters, each said state being delineated by a learning algorithm; e) determining a set of candidate transitions among the set of candidate states using the network parameters; and f) displaying to a user, one or more of the set of candidate states and the set of candidate transitions corresponding to behavior patterns of the multiple segment communications network. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 17)
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11. An apparatus that reads accumulated network parameters from a data repository of a network management system, and that provides a description of behavior patterns of a communications network, the apparatus comprising:
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a data reader, coupled to the data repository, that reads in accumulated network parameters representing data traffic over a multiple segment communications network with the segments connected by network couplers; a behavior analyzer, coupled to the data reader, that determines a set of candidate states of the communications network based upon the accumulated network parameters and determines a set of candidate transitions between the set of candidate states using the network parameters, each said state being delineated by a learning algorithm; and a states display, coupled to the behavior analyzer, that communicates to a user the set of candidate states and the set of candidate transitions corresponding to behavior patterns of the multiple segment communications network. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 18)
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19. An apparatus for determining behavior patterns of a communications network from accumulated network parameters, comprising:
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means for reading accumulated network parameters representing data traffic over a multiple segment communications network with the segments connected by network couplers; means for determining a set of candidate states of the communications network based upon the accumulated network parameters, each said state being delineated by a learning algorithm; means for determining a set of candidate transitions among the set of candidate states using the network parameters; and means for displaying to a user, one or more of the set of candidate states and the set of candidate transitions corresponding to behavior patterns of the multiple segment communications network. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for determining behavior patterns of a communications network, the apparatus comprising:
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means for measuring accumulated network parameters representing data traffic, over a multiple segment communications network with the segments connected by network couplers, for a first predetermined time period; means for storing the accumulated network parameters in a data repository; means for reading the accumulated network parameters from the data repository; means for determining a set of candidate states of the network based upon the accumulated network parameters, each said state being delineated by a learning algorithm; means for determining a set of candidate transitions among the set of candidate states using the network parameters; and means for displaying to a user, one or more of the set of candidate states and the set of candidate transitions corresponding to behavior patterns of the multiple segment communications network. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification