U.S. patent application number 13/761232 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-22 for automated on-line business bandwidth planning methodology.
This patent application is currently assigned to INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATIONS, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Infrastructure Innovations, LLC. Invention is credited to Richard E. HUDNALL, Lowell KOPP, Joseph M. KRYSKOW, JR..
Application Number | 20130215775 13/761232 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22673952 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130215775 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KRYSKOW, JR.; Joseph M. ; et
al. |
August 22, 2013 |
AUTOMATED ON-LINE BUSINESS BANDWIDTH PLANNING METHODOLOGY
Abstract
Closed-loop control is applied to the field of automated on-line
business bandwidth planning tools by comparing measured business
bandwidth with a baseline for providing a difference indication,
changing the baseline according to the difference, and reporting
the change as an event relating to a service level agreement.
Inventors: |
KRYSKOW, JR.; Joseph M.;
(Nashua, NH) ; HUDNALL; Richard E.; (Nashua,
NH) ; KOPP; Lowell; (Winchester, MA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Infrastructure Innovations, LLC; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATIONS,
LLC
Boston
MA
|
Family ID: |
22673952 |
Appl. No.: |
13/761232 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13100688 |
May 4, 2011 |
8380529 |
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13761232 |
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10222190 |
Aug 16, 2002 |
7966193 |
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13100688 |
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PCT/US01/05021 |
Feb 16, 2001 |
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10222190 |
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60183699 |
Feb 18, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/252 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 43/0888 20130101;
H04L 43/06 20130101; H04L 41/0896 20130101; H04L 41/5003 20130101;
H04L 43/00 20130101; H04L 41/145 20130101; H04L 41/142 20130101;
H04L 43/0852 20130101; H04L 41/5087 20130101; H04L 41/5025
20130101; H04L 41/5038 20130101; H04L 41/5032 20130101; H04L 43/10
20130101; H04L 43/087 20130101; H04L 43/16 20130101; G06Q 10/06
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/252 |
International
Class: |
H04L 12/24 20060101
H04L012/24 |
Claims
1. Method for bandwidth management, comprising the steps of:
measuring, in a measurement domain of an apparatus, a parameter
relating to business bandwidth currently provided according to a
service level agreement and providing a current bandwidth parameter
signal having a magnitude indicative thereof, comparing, in said
measurement domain of said apparatus, the current bandwidth
parameter signal with a baseline signal for providing a difference
signal, providing, from a bandwidth profile domain of said
apparatus, a validation signal in response to the difference signal
for modifying the baseline signal by simulation analysis in a
simulation domain of said apparatus, wherein instead of the
simulation domain directly modifying the baseline signal by said
simulation analysis in response to the difference signal, a results
notification signal is provided by said simulation domain in
response to the difference signal for providing a learning feedback
signal to the bandwidth profile domain for modifying bandwidth
profiles, wherein the validation signal is provided in response to
modification of the bandwidth profiles for then modifying the
baseline signal by said simulation analysis in response to said
validation signal provided by said bandwidth profile domain of said
apparatus to said simulation domain of said apparatus upon said
modification of the bandwidth profiles.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said modifying comprises
bandwidth capacity/flow control.
3. Apparatus, configured to: measure a parameter relating to
bandwidth and provide a current bandwidth parameter signal having a
magnitude indicative thereof, compare the current bandwidth
parameter signal with a service level agreement baseline signal and
provide a difference signal, and modify the baseline signal in
response to the difference signal.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the modification of the
baseline signal comprises bandwidth capacity/flow control.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the measurement is carried
out in a measurement domain of the apparatus, and the measurement
is of a parameter relating to business bandwidth currently provided
according to said service level agreement and the measurement
results in provision of a current bandwidth parameter signal having
a magnitude indicative thereof, the comparison is carried out in
said measurement domain of said apparatus, wherein the current
bandwidth parameter signal is compared with said baseline signal
for providing said difference signal, wherein said apparatus
provides, from a bandwidth profile domain of said apparatus, a
validation signal in response to the difference signal for
modifying said baseline signal by simulation analysis in a
simulation domain of said apparatus, wherein instead of the
simulation domain directly modifying said baseline signal by said
simulation analysis in response to the difference signal, a results
notification signal is provided by said simulation domain in
response to the difference signal for providing a learning feedback
signal to the bandwidth profile domain for modifying bandwidth
profiles, wherein the validation signal is provided in response to
modification of the bandwidth profiles so that said apparatus then
modifies the baseline signal by said simulation analysis in
response to said validation signal provided by said bandwidth
profile domain of said apparatus to said simulation domain of said
apparatus upon said modification of the bandwidth profiles.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of copending application
Ser. No. 13/100,688, filed on May 4, 2011, which is a divisional of
application Ser. No. 10/222,190, filed on Aug. 16, 2002, which is a
continuation of International Application No. PCT/US01/05021, filed
Feb. 16, 2001, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/183,699, filed on Feb. 18, 2000.
[0002] The present application discloses subject matter which is
disclosed and may be claimed in the following international
applications as identified by applicant's attorney's docket nos.
402-127.2-1 (PCT/US01/05119 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,327)),
402-127.4-1 (PCT/US01/05120 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,260,627)),
402-127.5-1 (PCT/US01/04876 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,261)), and
402-127.8-1 (PCT/US01/04873 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,389)) and
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0003] Application No. PCT/US01/05119 (402-127.2-1(now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,610,327)) is directed to a closed loop method for baselining
business bandwidth in a network environment.
[0004] Application No. PCT/US01/05120 (402-127.4-1 (now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,260,627)) is directed to analysis of business bandwidth for
control of same.
[0005] Application No. PCT/US01/04876 (402-127.5-1 (now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,117,261)) is directed to the application of closed loop
control to control of business bandwidth.
[0006] Application No. PCT/US01/04873 (402-127.8-1 (now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,763,389)) is an extension of PCT/US01/05119 (402-127.2-1 (now
U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,327)), PCT/US01/05021 (402-127.3-1 (now U.S.
Pat. No. 7,966,193)), PCT/US01/05120 (401-127.4-1 (now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,260,627)) and PCT/US01/04876 (402-127.5-1 (now U.S. Pat. No.
7,117,261)) with respect to exportation of information in a
multiple management environment (multiple users with different
SLAs).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0007] 1. Technical Field
[0008] This invention applies closed-loop control methodologies to
the field of automated on-line business bandwidth planning
tools.
[0009] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0010] Simply stated, the current rate of change in business
bandwidth management is getting out of control. IT business owners
and service providers are struggling to manage business systems.
Transport of data is exploding at unbelievable growth rates and
some service providers are straining at full capacity. Even though
data from multimedia networks is still a relatively small
proportion of the whole, this is expected to change in the near
future. The performance of these streaming protocols is not visible
to network probes and sniffers. Service providers and business
managers mistrust each other due to the stressful environment. Most
service provider contracts are now mandating service level
agreements (SLAs) to try to get a mechanism in place to enforce
what is promised versus what is delivered Business managers are
contemplating increasing their out sourcing due to the need for
outside assistance in managing their networks and therefore new
dynamic services are needed. Furthermore, in view of the fact that
dynamic routing and the impending internet to "virtual" services
model will obsolete current modeling and planning tools new
solutions are needed.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide an
automated on-line business bandwidth planning methodology.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to apply
closed-loop control methodologies to the field of automated on-line
business bandwidth planning tools.
[0013] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a
method for use in a network for providing an indication of an
actual service level relating to business bandwidth provided in
said network according to a service level agreement comprises the
steps of measuring a business bandwidth parameter, comparing the
measured business bandwidth parameter with a baseline for the
parameter for providing a change signal indicative of a change in
the business bandwidth parameter, and changing the baseline for the
parameter according to the change signal. The method may further
comprise the step of recording the change in the baseline for use
in reporting a compliance level or non-compliance level within or
without the service level agreement. The step of measuring may be
carried out by means of passive monitoring of data flow or by
introducing data into the network for determining an effect on the
step of changing the baseline. Such may also be reported.
[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a
method for bandwidth management comprises the steps of measuring a
parameter relating to business bandwidth and providing a current
bandwidth parameter signal having a magnitude indicative thereof,
comparing the current bandwidth parameter signal with a baseline
signal for providing a difference signal, analyzing the difference
signal for modifying the baseline signal. Instead of directly
modifying the baseline signal in response to the difference signal,
a results notification signal may be provided in response to the
difference signal for providing a learning feedback signal, wherein
the validation signal is provided in response to the results
notification signal.
[0015] These planning tools will be used to help both business
bandwidth network users and network providers manage and control
the growth and high rate of change of business bandwidth. These
tools enable automatic planning tools by combining highly accurate
monitoring tools and automatic bandwidth simulation tools into a
single planning tool framework. The addition of auto
characterization and auto partitioning methodologies allows the
user to simulate the effects of changes in business bandwidth, then
run a real-world test to validate that simulation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a closed loop methodology for business
bandwidth management, according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows further details of business bandwidth
measurements, according to the present invention as shown in FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows further details of business bandwidth
metering/change detection, according to the present invention as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 4 shows further details of simulation methods,
according to the present invention as shown in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 5 shows a typical deployment of the present invention
for use over a wide geographical area including a main site and
various remote sites.
[0021] FIG. 6 shows a four-port SLA module such as shown in. FIG.
5, according to the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the four-port network module
of the four-port SLA module of FIG. 6.
[0023] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of the master control module of
the four port SLA module of FIG. 6.
[0024] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a director console, such as
shown in FIG. 5, according to the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of director console interfaces
for the director console of FIG. 9, according to the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of director console control data
flow for the director console of FIG. 9, according to the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of director console appliance
interfaces for the director console of FIG. 9, according to the
present invention.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of data base analysis, according
to the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of data base access, according to
the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of planning modules including
simulation and monitoring in the master control module, according
to the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the four-port module of FIG. 7
illustrating planning modules including simulation and monitoring
used in conjunction with the master control module of FIG. 9.
[0032] FIG. 17 shows a director console control interface module
for the director console of FIG. 9, according to the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 18 shows SLA monitoring controls for the director
console of FIG. 9, according to the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 19 shows the four-port network module of FIG. 6 with
particular emphasis on packet and timing control.
[0035] FIG. 20 shows the master control module and should be viewed
in conjunction with FIG. 19.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0036] The specific components that make up the closed-loop
methodology for planning and managing changes to business bandwidth
are (1) business bandwidth measurements according to FIG. 2, and
comparison of current bandwidth characters against baseline
profiles according to FIG. 3. Simulation methods according to FIG.
4 may be combined to form a closed loop methodology for business
bandwidth management according to FIG. 1.
[0037] Referring first to FIG. 1, the closed loop methodology for
business bandwidth management includes a measurement domain 10 and
a bandwidth profile domain 12 in combination. A simulation domain
may be added to the combination. Further details of the measurement
and simulation domains are provided in copending International
Application Number PCT/US01/04876 (Attorney Docket No. 402-127.5-1)
entitled "Auto Control of Monitoring and Simulation" filed on even
date herewith.
[0038] Referring first to the measurement domain 10, it includes
business bandwidth measurements 16 shown in more detail in FIG. 2.
The business bandwidth measurements of FIG. 2 are for accurately
measuring "current" business bandwidth data (analyzed/translated
into specific metrics) from multiple end/component views as shown
in steps 18, 20 of FIG. 2. The more accurately a network can be
measured or observed, the more accurately can it be evaluated for
the impact of changes to that network. The measures combine passive
monitoring capabilities 18 (observe data flowing thru) and active
monitoring (transaction and [token ring] stream latency measures)
20 with statistics collected from key end nodes and components. The
gathering and synchronous analysis of this information as shown in
steps 22, 24, 26 creates a highly accurate measurement of business
bandwidth. FIG. 6 and the 4-Port Service Level Agreement (SLA)
Module Block Diagrams of FIGS. 7 and 8 provide further details.
This hardware can be deployed as shown in FIG. 5, for example, for
use in conjunction with a director console. FIG. 7 shows a 4-port
network module that is for instance for connection to an enterprise
network. FIG. 8 shows a master control module for connection to a
Director Console and that communicates with the 4-port network
module over a back plane. Together they make up the 4-port SLA
module as shown in FIG. 6 and to be described more fully below
after first describing FIGS. 1-4.
[0039] Referring back to FIG. 1, a block 28 is shown within the
measurement domain 10 for carrying out a comparison of current
bandwidth characteristics as measured in the block 16, against
baseline profiles. The block 28 can be viewed as a "bandwidth
meter/change detector". As shown in a block 30, the current
characterized view as provided on a line 32 from the block 16, is
compared with a baseline which may include multiple thresholds,
warnings and SLA metrics, for instance. Discrimination indications
are provided from block 30 on a line 34 for analysis in a block 36.
Discrimination and change analysis is carried out as per type,
impact, specific component, or the like and a results notification
is provided on a line 38 from the measurement domain to the
simulation domain 14. Referring to FIG. 3, the bandwidth
meter/change detector 28 of FIG. 1 is shown in more detail. A block
40 is for comparing in real time the current characterized view on
the line 32, i.e., the accurately monitored business bandwidth and
data/analyzed metrics with the baseline characterization/metrics.
This allows the system to quickly detect changes in the business
bandwidth. These changes are signaled on a line 42 and can then be
put through multiple levels of discrimination/change analysis. A
high level change analysis 44 uses embedded knowledge-based
algorithms utilizing tuned parameters to match the customer
environment. The change "engines" identify whether the change is
minimal (requires additional new data) for logging and notification
or that the change is significant enough to affect specific
applications as signaled on a line 46. Additionally a detailed
change analysis "engine" 48 identifies whether the change is
acceptable (consistent with SLA's) or unacceptable. Specific change
qualifications are:
[0040] Needs/use change (scale/scope); or
[0041] Service denial (specific error/event of application); or
[0042] Bandwidth denial (capacity/flow control) (errors/events);
or
[0043] Specific component that is causing change and why
[0044] This detailed change analysis is signaled on lines 50, 52
for purposes of component analysis 54 and impact analysis 56. It
should be noted that the components analyzed are for any end point,
end-to-end and component-to-component. In addition,
distinguishing/monitoring both user application and simulated data
allows a finer granularity of control/analysis of the simulation to
be carried out in the simulation domain described in FIG. 4. An
aggregate analysis 58 is responsive to the component analysis
signaled on a line 60 and the impact analysis signaled on a line 62
for aggregating the analyses for results notification including
error and reporting on the line 38 of FIG. 1.
[0045] Referring back to FIG. 1, it should be mentioned that the
measurement domain provides other signaling besides the results
notification 38, i.e., to the bandwidth profile domain 12 and the
simulation domain 14. For instance, raw and analyzed data on a line
64 and on a line 66 are provided to the simulation domain 14 and
bandwidth profile domain 12, respectively. Similarly, a top level
review signal on a line 68 and an analyzed data signal on a line 70
are provided to the simulation domain as shown in FIG. 1.
[0046] Referring now to the simulation domain 14 of FIG. 1, a
highly interactive suite of simulation tools are provided,
according to the present invention, to allow the user to simulate
(and monitor the effects of) increased capacity (increase in
business bandwidth utilization). The simulation domain 14 includes
simulation analysis 70, simulation control 72, simulation engine
74, and a simulation state and report blocks 76. These are shown in
more detail in FIG. 4. The simulation engine 74 includes a set of
simulation templates/profiles 80 for each type of business
bandwidth (modifiable by scale/scope/priority). This baseline
characterization is provided on a line 82 to means 84 for
identifying the baseline business bandwidth profiles and for adding
thereto or tuning these profiles. Such additions or tuning are
provided on a line 86 to the simulation templates 80. This
automatic tuning/modifying (or adding to) of the profiles may be
based on highly accurate measures of those applications running in
the network (characterization metrics of business bandwidth) Users
can tailor/tune the simulation profiles with user requests based on
individual extensibility goals as shown in a block 88. The new
profiles are assembled into a controllable/adjustable simulation
profile:
[0047] Increasing overall traffic by "x %" (temporally to same
sources/sinks)
[0048] Increasing specific application traffic (same sources/sinks)
by "x %".
[0049] Adding new sources/sinks (applications) and increasing
traffic by "x %".
[0050] Distributing on a line 90 this profile to multiple
simulation engines 92 and synchronizing/controlling their
executions.
[0051] A prediction module 94 exchanges information with the
simulation analysis block 70 on a line 96.
[0052] Referring to the simulation analysis 70, it is also
responsive to the scenario profiles distributed on a line 98 to a
run time analysis simulation block 100. This block is also
responsive to the various inputs shown in FIG. 1 from the
measurement domain 10) and from the bandwidth profile domain 12.
These accurate measurements are provided while running the
simulation analysis 70 and observing both the business bandwidth
characteristics and the simulated data characteristics; e.g.,
measuring and analyzing the effects of the simulation on other
bandwidth and the effects of the network's capacity handling (any
end and any component) on the simulation. While running the
simulation on line, the invention provides for monitoring feedback
control methods that can "attempt" to minimize the negative impacts
on actual applications (minimize impact on critical SLA metrics-end
to end and components). The simulation analysis collects simulation
results and gives a continuously updated run time view on a line
102 as well as a finished test result on a line 104. The finished
test result is then analyzed by additional planning modules in the
block 76 that make network bandwidth SLA change recommendations,
including price/performance tradeoffs of changing one or more
component SLA's.
[0053] Referring back to the run time analysis 100, the collected
and aggregated simulation effects are provided on lines 106, 108 to
analysis blocks 110, 112. The analysis block 110 analyzes the data
for the effects of the change and provides an output effect signal
on a line 114 to a change analysis block 116 which analyzes the
change requirements to determine whether to modify or abort the
test. It provides the notice/feedback signal on the line 102 to the
simulation control 72.
[0054] The analysis block 112 analyzes the data provided on the
line 108 and compares it against a prediction provided on the line
96 from prediction module 94 in the simulation engine. It provides
an input data and analyzed data output signal on a line 118 to an
analysis block 120 in which data is retrieved from multiple
locations and an initial analysis is performed.
[0055] The simulation control 72 is responsive to the
notice/feedback signal on the line 102 as well as the inputs from
measuring, learning and baselining and is responsive to the
execution signal on the line 98 and a CLNT control signal on a line
106 from a master control 108. In response, the simulation control
sends auto control modify notices on a line 110 to the master
control 108. The master control 108 is also responsive to the
execution signal on the line 98 and provides a finish/abort signal
on a line 112 which is used in the block 76 to display the ongoing
test report results.
[0056] Referring back to the Bandwidth Profile domain 12 of FIG. 1,
there is shown modifying/tuning the embedded auto learning 114,
baselining 116, and partitioning 118 knowledge-based algorithms
(AI) by observing the effects of the simulation on those automatic
functions; e.g., knowing the simulation and the effects of the
simulation, the algorithms can be tuned to better characterize
end-to-end and component metrics The blocks 114, 116, 118 are
responsive to learning feedback on a line 120 from the simulation
analysis 70 for providing a validation of monitoring "tuning"
signal on a line 122 to both the simulation control 72 and analysis
70. These functions are further described in co-owned, copending
application (Attorney Docket No 402-127-2-1) filed on even date
herewith.
[0057] FIG. 5 shows a typical deployment of the present invention
for use over a wide geographical area including a main site 130, a
first remote site 132, a second remote site 134, and a third remote
site 136 Other sites are indicated at 138 The basic building blocks
comprise various director consoles 140, 142, 144, 146 and a
plurality of n-port SLA modules 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160,
162, 164, 166, 168, and 170 shown in the example for instance as 2,
4, 8, or 48 port SLA modules. The n-port SLA modules are used to
measure and preprocess the collected data and to communicate the
monitored data to the director consoles. The director consoles are
in control of the n-port SLA modules and together with the modules
are used to carry out the present invention. The n-port SLA modules
are shown connected to various user equipments and to local area
networks for communication with the director consoles through
building routers, interbuilding routers, and wide area networks
served by various ISPs. A service level agreement between an ISP
and the main site for instance will include various baseline
parameters relating to different types of traffic such as voice,
video, transaction data or data base queries. It is in the interest
of both the business owner deploying at the main site 130 and the
remote sites 132, 134, 136 and the ISP or ISPs to manage the
transport of data between the main site and the remote sites in
such a way that the performance is visible and the environment can
become one of trust. This can be accomplished according to the
present invention by deploying a plurality of n-port SLA modules as
shown for measuring, changing and reporting business bandwidth
usage to either the enterprise owner, the ISP or both. An
independent service would be more effective in this regard since
the trust level will be higher if the measurements and reporting is
carried out by an independent operator. However, it should be
understood that the present invention is operable by an ISP by
itself or by the enterprise by itself.
[0058] FIG. 6 shows a four-port SLA module, according to the
present invention. It comprises a four-port network module
connected to a master control module over a back plane. The master
control module in the present architecture communicates with the
director console over a serial bus connected to an ethernet port.
FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the four-port network module of
FIG. 6. It shows some of the components used for business bandwidth
baselining in particular including automatic baseline, measuring
and comparing. FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of the master control
module of the four-port SLA module of FIG. 6. It should be viewed
in conjunction with FIG. 7 for purposes of completing the business
bandwidth baselining function.
[0059] FIG. 9 shows a director console architecture with particular
applicability to simulation and monitoring planning modules. Each
of the n-port SLA modules of FIG. 6 discovers the director console
and the director console discovers each n-port SLA module. The
discovery process may be through-broadcast or multicast messages.
Whenever a new n-port SLA module is added to the enterprise
network, the director console and the n-port SLA module (appliance)
are able to discover each other and start communicating for proper
operation. Communications between the director console and the SLA
module can be accomplished in various modes including a first mode
including request-response mode or pull mode or a second mode
including publish-subscribe mode or push mode. In the
request-response mode (pull mode) the director console requests and
the SLA module responds. This requires a round trip and is a more
expensive operation. This mode is primarily used for control
messages and defines the behavior of the appliances. The
publish-subscribe mode (push mode) is used with this director
console subscribing to interested data at specified intervals
and/or under certain conditions wherein the SLA modules send the
data to the director console through UDP messages. Since these
messages are one-way UDP messages, the additional traffic on the
network is minimized. For efficiency, connectionless UDP based
short messages may be used for frequent data exchange with TCP
based messages used for infrequent bulk transfers.
[0060] As more SLA modules are added to the system, the director
console receiving the traffic from the SLA modules may become
overloaded. To avoid this, the overloaded director clones itself
into two or more instances and becomes the parent of the clones.
The SLA modules communicating with the parent console will be
directed to communicate with the clones. The parent distributes the
SLA modules evenly to the cloned directors.
[0061] The directors are symmetrical meaning that one can act as a
parent or a child. The input and output streams may have identical
format and each director console may require its own instances of
some data bases.
[0062] This mechanism requires a set of available systems and a
means of starting the director console which takes a given state
information to carry on the needed task. The newly started director
consoles will assume the initiating DC as the parent.
[0063] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of director console interfaces
for the director console of FIG. 9. Note that the parent-child and
SLA module interfaces are identical.
[0064] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of director console control data
flow for the director console of FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a block diagram
of director console appliance interfaces for the director console
of FIG. 9. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of data base analysis for the
director console of FIG. 9. FIG. 14 is a block diagram of data base
access for the director console of FIG. 9.
[0065] FIG. 15 shows the master control module of FIG. 8 with
particular emphasis on simulation and monitoring planning modules
of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the
four-port module of FIG. 7 illustrating the planning modules
including simulation and monitoring used in conjunction with the
master control module of FIGS. 9 and 15. FIG. 17 shows the director
console control interface module while FIG. 18 shows SLA monitoring
controls.
[0066] Although the invention has been shown and described with
respect to a best mode embodiment thereof, it should be understood
by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other
changes, omissions and additions in the form and detail thereof may
be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *