Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing – Computer network monitoring
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-22
2001-10-23
Barot, Bharat (Department: 2154)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
Computer network monitoring
C709S202000, C709S223000, C709S228000, C709S235000, C370S230000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308209
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to networks and more particularly to a method and system for administering a network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer networks are used to transmit data from one client computer to another. A computer network generally includes a server connected to a plurality of client computers and other communication devices. The server controls the operation of the client computers and transmits data from the server to other communication devices. The other communication devices may transmit data from the server to a server in another network.
Videoconferencing, multimedia applications, and real-time audio and video applications have recently become popular, and these applications require the transmission of large amounts of data over existing computer networks. As these applications become even more popular, existing computer networks experience problems handling the increasing volume of data that is being transmitted across the networks. The networks become saturated, which results in slower transmission of data across the networks.
In an attempt to address this problem, administrators and owners of computer networks utilize expensive transmission facilities to increase the amount of data that the computer networks can transmit. A problem facing computer network administrators is how to allocate the expense of the additional equipment to computer network users.
In the past, users have been uniformly charged for access to the computer networks regardless of the amount of data transmitted or received by each user. However, such billing practices are perceived by some to be unfair as well as inefficient As an alternative, network administrators could track how much data each user transmits across the computer network and impose higher charges only on users who transmit more data. However, this approach is not without difficulties. With many different users logging on and off a network at many different locations throughout the day, tracking each user's usage of the network requires the storage of large amounts of data. In addition, the time required to process this data can be lengthy, and such processing delays sending bills to network users. Finally, such a billing procedure requires storage and processing equipment to store and process the billing data, which results in additional expense.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a need has arisen for an improved method and system for administering a network based on the usage of the network. The present invention provides a method and system for administering a network based on the usage of the network that address shortcomings of prior systems and methods.
According to one embodiment of the inventions a method of monitoring a computer network used to transfer data includes measuring at least a portion of the amount of data transferred across the network to, or by, a user during each of a plurality of time periods. The method includes determining an actual level of network usage by a user for each of the time periods. The actual level of network usage generated for each time period is compared to an authorized level of usage. A flag is generated for each of the time periods in which the actual level of network usage exceeds the authorized level of usage.
According to another embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for measuring usage of a computer network by a user includes at least one counting unit for measuring at least a portion of the amount of data transferred across the network to, or by, a user during each of a plurality of time periods. The apparatus also includes an agent connected to the counting unit. The agent receives information from the counting unit, computes an actual level of network usage for each time period, and generates a signal if the actual level of network usage exceeds an authorized level of usage.
Embodiments of the invention provide numerous technical advantages. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, users of a network are billed according to their usage of the network. Therefore, users who do not transmit large amounts of data over the network are not billed as much as users who do transmit large amounts of data. Also according to the invention, networks are not required to store data about every user's usage of the network, eliminating the need to purchase extra storage and processing equipment. Further, calculating each user's bill is simplified, reducing the delay caused by the processing of the billing data. In another embodiment of the invention, network administrators can offer each network user a choice of authorized levels of usage, enabling network administrators to offer a wide range of billing options. Finally, equipment needed to measure the usage of computer networks by the users can operate without placing a burden on the networks.
Other technical advantages are readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.
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Baker & Botts LLP
Barot Bharat
Electronic Data Systems Corporation
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