Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Measurement system – Measured signal processing
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-11
2003-10-14
Hoff, Marc S. (Department: 2857)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Measurement system
Measured signal processing
C702S181000, C702S182000, C702S183000, C702S188000, C702S189000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06633835
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to network monitoring and management, and more particularly to reliable and efficient data monitoring in a network, application monitoring system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Networks are used to interconnect multiple devices, such as computing devices, and allow the communication of information between the, various interconnected devices. Many organizations rely on networks to communicate information between different individuals, departments, work groups, and geographic locations. In many organizations, a network is an important resource that must operate efficiently. For example, networks are used to communicate electronic mail (e-mail), share information between individuals, and provide access to shared resources, such as printers, servers, and databases. A network failure or inefficient operation may significantly affect the ability of certain individuals or groups to perform their required functions.
A typical network contains multiple interconnected devices, including computers, servers, printers, and various other network communication devices such as routers, bridges, switches, and hubs. The multiple devices in a network are interconnected with multiple communication links that allow the various network devices to communicate with one another. If a particular network device or network communication link fails or underperforms, multiple devices, or the entire network, may be affected. Network management is the process of managing the various network devices and network communication links to provide the necessary network services to the users of the network. Typical network management systems collect information regarding the operation and performance of the network and analyze the collected information to detect problems in the network. For example, a high network utilization or a, high network response time may indicate that the network (or a particular device or link in the network) is approaching an overloaded condition. In an overloaded condition, network devices may be unable to communicate at a reasonable speed, thereby reducing the usefulness of the network. In this situation, it is important to identify the network problem and the source of the problem quickly and effectively such that the proper network operation can be restored.
Often applications running on the network are a source of the aforementioned problems or adversely affected by such problems. There is thus a continuing need for a new application-monitoring system for domestic enterprise management. Such a system should enable administrators (such as Network Managers) and service providers to introduce real-time application monitoring into service offerings. There is also a need to offer application monitoring since a large number of business and end users stand to gain significant understanding of their networks applications, performance and security.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system, method and computer program product are provided for adaptive priority data filtering. Data is collected from a network segment and classified into multiple flows. The flows are prioritized into high and low priority flows. High priority flows are stored in a high priority queue prior to processing, while low priority flows are stored in a low priority queue prior to processing. Each of these queues preferably acts as a high performance first in-first out (FIFO) queue. An amount of data in the high priority flows is monitored. Buffers from the low priority queue are reallocated to the high priority queue if the amount of data in the high priority flows surpasses a predetermined threshold. This mechanism allows the flow processor to focus on servicing priority data over non-priority data to prevent data loss.
In one embodiment, all buffers are initially allocated to a low priority queue. Data is collected from a network segment and stored in the low priority queue. Data in both the high and low priority queues is processed. If the amount of data in the high priority queue surpasses a predetermined threshold, high priority flows are selected from the high priority queue and relegated to the low priority queue.
In another embodiment, inactive high priority flows are removed from the high priority queue which increases the low priority queue depth, allowing additional flows to be processed. Further, buffers from the high priority queue can be reallocated to the low priority queue if the amount of data in the high priority flows is below a predetermined threshold.
In yet another embodiment, a flow of data is identified as being important. Additional data from the identified flow is forwarded for processing. This mechanism provides another type of adaptive filtering capability to reduce the probability of dropped packets for post-classification analysis.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5506955 (1996-04-01), Chen et al.
patent: 6460010 (2002-10-01), Hanes et al.
patent: 2002/0059424 (2002-05-01), Ferguson et al.
patent: 2002/0080180 (2002-06-01), Mander et al.
Goral Jack
Liubinskas Tauras
Moran Mike
Hamaty Christopher J.
Hoff Marc S.
Networks Associates Technology Inc.
Silicon Valley IP Group
Suarez Felix
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