Pál Varga, László Gulyás
Traffic analysis methods to support decisions at the knowledge plane
Traffic analysis of network segments is an effective method to reveal suboptimal configuration, hidden faults and security threats.
If the analysis results are promptly acted upon, improvements in service quality are experienced by both the network operator and the end user. The concept of the Knowledge Plane (KPlane), and later the Monitor Plane (MPlane) has been introduced to support Autonomous Networking goals. The tasks of processing the network element, service and traffic information belong to the MPlane. It feeds the KPlane with valuable information, based on which configuration changes are actuated. Although the concept of KPlane is widely used in various levels of network and service management, general traffic analysis is not yet utilized to support decision making procedures. Traffic mix and traffic matrix analysis results are of major interest in the decision making process at the KPlane. In this paper the issues of traffic sensing at the high speed interfaces of the Monitoring Plane are covered, followed by a discussion on traffic mix and traffic matrix analysis methods.