System for traffic data evaluation of real network with dynamic routing utilizing virtual network modelling

• US 6,442,615 B1
• Filed: 04/12/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Nordenstam, Yngve, Tjäder, Johan
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Assistant Examiner(s): EL HADY, NABIL M
• Application Number:
  US09/547,762
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 709/223-226, 709/241-242, 709/235, 709/238, 395/500.23
• US Class Current: 709/241
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/562 Routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5621 Virtual private network [VPN]; Private-network - network-interface (P-NNI)
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/563 Signalling, e.g. protocols, reference model
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5632 Bandwidth allocation
• 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 43/0829 Packet loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0882 Utilisation of link capacity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/02 Topology update or discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/38 Flow based routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/42 Centralised routing

Abstract

To provide an improved approach to traffic data evaluation in a network using dynamic routing there is provided a traffic data evaluation apparatus for a network using dynamic routing comprising traffic data collection means (12) to collect data with respect to a real traffic flow in the network. Further, the traffic data evaluation apparatus comprises a network modelling unit (14, 16) to model the network through a virtual network having virtual links without capacity restrictions imposed thereon. Still further, there is provided a network load evaluation means (18) to map the real traffic flow onto the virtual network assuming optimal routing and to compare the capacity used for each virtual link with the capacity assigned thereto. Thus, it is possible to draw conclusions on the network load by real network measurements also for a network using a dynamic routing protocol.

Claims

1. Traffic data evaluation apparatus for evaluating traffic in a real network using dynamic routing where traffic routes are determined before transfer of data, comprising:

a) traffic data collection means to collect data with respect to a real traffic flow in the real network,

b) network modeling means to model the network through a virtual network having virtual links without capacity restrictions imposed thereon, wherein said virtual network models the real network but said virtual links do not exist in the real network;

c) network load evaluation means including mapping means to map the real traffic flow of the real network onto the virtual network assuming optimal dynamic routing, and comparison means to compare capacity used for each virtual link with the capacity assigned thereto; and

d) network modification means for changing dynamic routing, where traffic routes are determined before transfer of data, by modifying the real and/or virtual network by adding new links and/or nodes thereto based at least in part upon comparisons performed by said comparison means.

2. Traffic data evaluation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the network load evaluation means (18) maps the real traffic flow onto the virtual network through post-processing of data collected by the traffic data collection means (12).

3. Traffic data evaluation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the traffic data collection means (12) collects the data with respect to the real traffic flow through measurement.

4. Traffic data evaluation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the traffic data collection means collects simulated data with respect to the traffic flow from a simulation device.

5. Traffic data evaluation apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the simulation device (42-50) comprises:

a) traffic generation means (42) to randomly select a source node and a destination node for a call in the network,

b) route computation means (42) to determine at least one best route through the network,

c) call database means (46) to store the selected best route according to the source node and destination node,

d) call terminating means (44) to remove established calls from the call database means (46) and to share details with respect to the removed call in a call recording database (46).

6. Traffic data evaluation apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the route computation means (42) calculates the at least one best route using pre-defined algorithms.

7. Traffic data evaluation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the traffic data collection means (12) is operated continuously.

8. Traffic data evaluation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the network load evaluation means (18) further comprises:

a) visualization means (22) to represent the network load at a display means (20),

b) input/output means (26) to specify insertions/exclusions of nodes/links into the virtual network.

9. Traffic data evaluation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is implemented according to a client/server structure.

10. Traffic data evaluation method for evaluating traffic in a real network using dynamic routing where traffic routes are determined before transfer of data, the method comprising:

a) modeling the real network through a virtual network having no capacity restrictions imposed on the virtual links thereof, wherein the virtual links do not exist in the real network,

b) collecting traffic data from the real network with respect to real traffic mapping,

c) mapping real traffic data of the real network on the virtual network assuming optimum dynamic routing where traffic routes are determined before transfer of data,

d) comparing used capacity with assigned capacity for each virtual link, and

e) modifying the real network by adding at least one of a new link and a new node thereto based at least in part upon said comparing of the used capacity with assigned capacity for each virtual link.

11. Traffic data evaluation method according to claim 10, characterized in that step b) is sub-divided into steps

b1) collection of data on actual traffic in the network, and

b2) post-processing of data collected in step b1) to achieve a load picture on the virtual network.

12. Traffic data evaluation method according to claim 11, wherein the collection of data according to step b1) is achieved through measuring connection time, bandwidth, originating node, and terminating node for all connections established via dynamic routing.

13. Traffic data evaluation method according to claim 11, characterized in that the collection of data according to step b1) is achieved through simulation of connection time, bandwidth, originating node, and terminating node for all connections established via dynamic routing.

14. Traffic data evaluation method according to claim 13, characterized in that the simulation step sub-divides into the following steps:

a) randomly selecting a source node and a destination node for a call in the network,

b) computation of at least one best route through the network,

c) establishing a call along the at least one best route,

d) inserting the call in a current call database,

e) traversing the current call database to remove established calls therefrom, and

f) storing details with respect to the removed call in a call recording database.

15. Traffic data evaluation method according to claim 14, characterized in that step b) to compute the at least one best route through the-network is based on pre-defined algorithms.

16. Traffic data evaluation method according to claim 11, characterized in that within the step b1) to collect data on actual or real traffic also comprises the consideration of the impact of not-established connections on the load situation of the network through statistical analysis of the variables connection length, connection bandwidth and number of attempts, respectively.

17. Traffic data evaluation method according to claim 10, characterized in that the step to collect data on real traffic is executed continuously to monitor fluctuations of the network load.

18. Traffic data evaluation method according to claim 10, characterized in that the step to collect data on real traffic is carried out selectively with respect to individual classes/types of traffic.

19. Traffic data evaluation method according to claim 10, characterized in that the load information derived through the comparison of used capacity and assigned capacity for each link is used to draw conclusions in terms of needed extensions and changes of the network, respectively.

20. Traffic data evaluation method according to claim 19, characterized in that the step to draw conclusions in terms of needed extensions and changes of the network comprises a statistical analysis of source/destination node pairs to decide on the insertion of further nodes and links into the network.

21. Traffic data evaluation method according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises a step to visualize the network load for a network operator with respect to each link and direction, respectively.

22. Traffic data evaluation method according to claim 21, characterized in that the step to visualize the network load uses a geographical map, a topology map and bar charts, respectively.

23. Traffic data evaluation method according to claim 10, characterized in that it also comprises a warning step being activated after a long time virtual overload situation in the network.

24. Traffic data evaluation method according to claim 10, characterized in that if further comprises the step of insertion and exclusion of nodes and links into the virtual network, respectively.