Distributed monitoring and analysis system for network traffic
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in a network-based communication system, the apparatus comprising:
- a first endpoint device configurable for operation with at least a second endpoint device;
the first and second endpoint devices being part of a plurality of endpoint devices collectively implementing a distributed monitoring and analysis systemwherein the plurality of endpoint devices are organized into a hierarchy comprising a plurality of zones;
the distributed monitoring and analysis system being configured to process measurements based on communications between respective pairs of endpoints to provide summary information regarding inter-zone communication performance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques are disclosed for improved monitoring and analysis of VoIP communications, multimedia communications or other types of network traffic in a network-based communication system. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, endpoint devices of the network-based communication system are configurable so as to collectively implement a distributed monitoring and analysis system which does not require a centralized testing server or other centralized controller. Distributed test units associated with the endpoint devices may be utilized in implementing the distributed monitoring and analysis system, and are preferably configured to support a web-based user interface providing access to measurement data. The endpoint devices may be advantageously organized into a hierarchy comprising a plurality of zones, with each of the endpoint devices belonging to at least one zone. For each zone, one of the endpoint devices may be designated as a zone leader for controlling the periodic generation of communications between selected endpoint devices that belong to subzones of that zone in the hierarchy.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in a network-based communication system, the apparatus comprising:
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a first endpoint device configurable for operation with at least a second endpoint device; the first and second endpoint devices being part of a plurality of endpoint devices collectively implementing a distributed monitoring and analysis system wherein the plurality of endpoint devices are organized into a hierarchy comprising a plurality of zones; the distributed monitoring and analysis system being configured to process measurements based on communications between respective pairs of endpoints to provide summary information regarding inter-zone communication performance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 23, 24, 25)
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7. An apparatus for use in a network-based communication system, the apparatus comprising:
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a first endpoint device configurable for operation with at least a second endpoint device; the first and second endpoint devices being two of a plurality of endpoint devices collectively implementing a distributed monitoring and analysis system in which a communication is directed to at least one of the endpoint devices and one or more measurements are made based on the communication; wherein the distributed monitoring and analysis system does not require a centralized controller; wherein each of the first and second endpoint devices has associated therewith a corresponding distributed test unit; and wherein at least one of the distributed test units is configured to support a web-based user interface providing access to measurement data associated with the one or more measurements.
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16. An apparatus for use in a network-based communication system, the apparatus comprising:
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a first endpoint device configurable for operation with at least a second endpoint device; the first and second endpoint devices being two of a plurality of endpoint devices collectively implementing a distributed monitoring and analysis system in which a communication is directed to at least one of the endpoint devices and one or more measurements are made based on the communication; wherein the distributed monitoring and analysis system does not require a centralized controller; wherein at least a given one of the endpoint devices is operative to implement an address discovery process which permits that endpoint device to locate other endpoint devices configured for participation in the distributed monitoring and analysis system; and wherein the address discovery process is operative such that, upon identification of an additional endpoint device configured for participation in the distributed monitoring and analysis system, a remaining search space is partitioned among at least the given endpoint device and the additional endpoint device. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. An apparatus for use in a network-based communication system, the apparatus comprising:
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a first endpoint device configurable for operation with at least a second endpoint device; at least the first and second endpoint devices collectively implementing a distributed monitoring and analysis system in which a communication is directed to at least one of the endpoint devices and one or more measurements are made based on the communication; wherein the distributed monitoring and analysis system does not require a centralized controller; and wherein the first and second endpoint devices are part of a plurality of endpoint devices organized into a hierarchy comprising a plurality of zones, with each of the plurality of endpoint devices belonging to at least one zone. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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22. An apparatus for use in a network-based communication system, the apparatus comprising:
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a first endpoint device configurable for operation with at least a second endpoint device; the first and second endpoint devices being two of a plurality of endpoint devices collectively implementing a distributed monitoring and analysis system in which a communication is directed to at least one of the endpoint devices and one or more measurements are made based on the communication; wherein the distributed monitoring and analysis system does not require a centralized controller; and wherein the distributed monitoring and analysis system supports a scripting feature which permits a user-scripted test program to be carried out by one or more of the endpoints.
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26. A method for use in a network-based communication system comprising a plurality of endpoint devices which implement a distributed monitoring and analysis system, the method comprising the steps of:
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organizing the plurality of endpoint devices into a hierarchy comprising a plurality of zones; and configuring the distributed monitoring and analysis system to process measurements based on communications between respective pairs of endpoints to provide summary information regarding inter-zone communication performance.
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27. An article of manufacture comprising a machine-readable storage medium containing software code for use in a network-based communication system comprising a plurality of endpoint devices which implement a distributed monitoring and analysis system, wherein the software code when executed implements the steps of:
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organizing the plurality of endpoint devices into a hierarchy comprising a plurality of zones; and configuring the distributed monitoring and analysis system to process measurements based on communications between respective pairs of endpoints to provide summary information regarding inter-zone communication performance.
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Specification