US 7,599,308 B2 · Methods and apparatus for identifying chronic performance problems on data networks

Abstract

A system for identifying chronic performance problems on data networks includes network monitoring devices that provide measurements of performance metrics such as latency, jitter, and throughput, and a processing system for analyzing measurement data to identify the onset of chronic performance problems. Network behavior is analyzed to develop a baseline performance level (e.g., computing a mean and variance of a baseline sample of performance metric measurements). An operating performance level is measured during operation of the network (e.g., computing a mean and variance of an operating sample of performance metric measurements). A chronic performance problem is identified if the operating performance level exceeds a performance threshold and a difference between the baseline performance level and the operating performance level is determined to be statistically significant. A t-test based on the baseline mean and variance and the operating mean and variance can be used to determine if this difference is significant.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of identifying a chronic performance problem on a data network, comprising:

establishing a baseline performance level of at least one performance metric using a processor;
determining an operating performance level of the at least one performance metric during operation of the network using the processor;
identifying a chronic performance problem by performing both a first test and a second test, using the processor, the first test comprising a threshold test to determine whether the operating performance exceeds a performance threshold, the second test comprising a statistical test to determine whether a difference between a baseline performance level and the operating performance level is statistically significant, wherein the combination of the first and second tests distinguishes between chronic performance problems and transient performance problems and a chronic performance problem is identified in response to both the operating performance level exceeding the performance threshold and the difference between the baseline performance level and the operating performance level being statistically significant.

A system for identifying chronic performance problems on a data network, comprising:

a plurality of monitoring devices configured to measure at least one performance metric at selected points in the network;
and
a processor configured to receive performance metric measurements from the monitoring devices, wherein the processor determines a baseline performance level of the at least one performance metric, determines an operating performance level of the at least one performance metric during operation of the network, and identifies a chronic performance problem by performing both a first test and a second test, the first test comprising a threshold test to determine whether the operating performance exceeds a performance threshold, the second test comprising a statistical test to determine whether a difference between a baseline performance level and the operating performance level is statistically significant, wherein the combination of the first and second tests distinguishes between chronic performance problems and transient performance problems and the processor identifies a chronic performance problem in response to both the operating performance level exceeding the performance threshold and the difference between the baseline performance level and the operating performance level being statistically significant.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and apparatus for identifying chronic performance problems on data networks

Life of this patent

Methods and apparatus for identifying chronic performance problems on data networks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19