Evaluation of network data aggregation

An apparatus comprising:

• one or more processors;
• means for receiving topology data that indicates a plurality of communication links and a plurality of intermediate network nodes in communication based on the plurality of communication links, wherein the plurality of intermediate network nodes includes a plurality of leaf nodes that terminate communications and a plurality of transit nodes that facilitate the passage of information between leaf nodes;
• means for receiving aggregation point data that indicates all aggregation points on the plurality of intermediate network nodes, wherein an aggregation point is an interface between a network node and a communication link, which interface outputs data that is a combination of data received through a plurality of different interfaces;
• means for determining a set of paths, wherein each path in the set connects a different pair of leaf nodes;
• and
• means for determining a measure of aggregation, for a network, based on a number of aggregated paths of the set of paths;
• wherein an aggregated path passes through an aggregation point;
• wherein determining the measure of aggregation further comprises determining a ratio of the number of aggregated paths to a number of paths in the set of paths.

A computer-readable volatile or non-volatile storage medium storing one or more sequences of machine-readable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform steps that comprise:

• receiving topology data that indicates a plurality of communication links and a plurality of intermediate network nodes in communication based on the plurality of communication links, wherein the plurality of intermediate network nodes includes a plurality of leaf nodes that terminate communications and a plurality of transit nodes that facilitate the passage of information between leaf nodes;
• receiving aggregation point data that indicates all aggregation points on the plurality of intermediate network nodes, wherein an aggregation point is an interface between a network node and a communication link, which interface outputs data that is a combination of data received through a plurality of different interfaces;
• determining a set of paths, wherein each path in the set connects a different pair of leaf nodes;
• and
• determining a measure of aggregation, for a network, based on a number of aggregated paths of the set of paths;
• wherein an aggregated path passes through an aggregation point;
• wherein determining the measure of aggregation further comprises determining a ratio of the number of aggregated paths to a number of paths in the set of paths.