Apparatus for size-dependent sampling for managing a data network
AssigneeAT&T Corp.
InventorsNicholas G. Duffield, Carsten Lund, Mikkel Thorup
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides apparatus for sampling data flows in a data network in order to estimate a total data volume in the network. Sampling the data flows in the data network reduces the network resources that must be expended by the network to support the associated activity. The present invention enables the service provider of the data network to control sampled volumes in relation to the desired accuracy. The control can be either static or can be dynamic for cases in which the data volumes are changing as a function of time.
Claims44
An apparatus for managing a data network, the apparatus comprising:
- a data interface;
- and
- a processor connected to the data interface in order to receive objects, the objects containing traffic information, the processor configured to perform the steps of:
- (a) receiving an object, wherein the object is characterized by at least one attribute and wherein the object comprises at least one data element;
- (b) determining whether to sample the object in accordance with a probabilistic parameter;
- (c) sampling the object in response to step (b);
- and
- (d) processing the sample in response to step (c).
An apparatus for charging a customer for usage of a data network, the apparatus comprising:
- a data interface;
- and
- a processor connected to the data interface in order to receive objects, the objects containing traffic information, the processor configured to perform the steps of:
- (a) adjusting a probabilistic parameter in accordance with a charging accuracy;
- (b) receiving an object, wherein the object is characterized by a size and a customer;
- (c) determining whether to sample the object in accordance with the probabilistic parameter, wherein the probabilistic parameter approximately optimizes a cost function and wherein the cost function relates the probabilistic parameter to a sampling accuracy and a sampling volume;
- (d) sampling the object in response to step (c);
- (e) normalizing the sample in response to step (d);
- (f) determining the usage for the customer in accordance with step (e);
- (g) adjusting the usage in accordance with the charging accuracy;
- and
- (h) determining a charge to the customer in response to step (g).
An apparatus for managing a data network in accordance with a data volume, the apparatus comprising:
- a data interface;
- and
- a processor connected to the data interface in order to receive objects,
- the objects containing traffic information, the processor configured to perform the steps of:
- (a) adjusting a probabilistic parameter for a sampling window in accordance with a targeted sampling volume;
- (b) receiving an object, wherein the object is characterized by a size;
- (c) determining whether to sample the object in accordance with the probabilistic parameter, wherein the probabilistic parameter approximately optimizes a cost function, wherein the cost function relates the probabilistic parameter to a sampling accuracy and a sampling volume;
- (d) sampling the object in response to step (c);
- (e) normalizing the sample in response to step (d);
- (f) determining an estimated traffic volume in accordance with step (e);
- and
- (g) utilizing the estimated traffic volume to manage the data network.
A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to manage a data network, by:
- receiving an object, wherein the object is characterized by at least one attribute and wherein the object comprises at least one data element;
- determining whether to sample the object in accordance with a probabilistic parameter;
- sampling the object in response to determining whether to sample the object;
- and
- processing the sample in response to sampling the object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.