Adaptive classification of network traffic
View Patent ↗Rules for classifying traffic in a communications network are set by collecting traffic data related to traffic that is input into a network node, processing the traffic data that is collected, and setting classification rules in response to the processed traffic data, wherein the set classification rules are used to classify subsequent input traffic. In an embodiment, subsequent traffic is classified according to the set classification rules. In another embodiment, traffic conditioning rules are also set in response to the processed traffic data and subsequent input traffic is conditioned according to the set traffic conditioning rules.
1. A system for controlling the flow of traffic in a communications network comprising:
a metropolitan area network (MAN) having an edge device;
multiple customer premises equipment (CPE) devices for use in a subscriber-based network;
multiple intermediate network nodes that are located between the edge device and the CPE devices, each intermediate network node including a classifier that is configured to classify traffic according to received classification rules and a traffic conditioner module that is configured to condition the flow of classified traffic;
said edge device receives traffic from said MAN and transmits said traffic to said CPE devices via said intermediate network nodes;
a common classification control module, located at the edge device, configured to;
collect traffic data from traffic that is input into said intermediate network nodes and destined for said CPE devices;
process said traffic data that is collected;
set classification rules in response to said processed traffic data, wherein said set classification rules are used to classify subsequent traffic;
set traffic conditioning rules in response to said processed traffic data wherein said set traffic conditioning rules are used to condition subsequent traffic;
distribute said classification rules to said classifiers at said intermediate network nodes; and
distribute said traffic conditioning rules to said traffic conditioning modules at said intermediate network nodes.
2. The system of claim 1 further including local data collection modules, associated with said classifiers, that collect port-specific traffic data and provide said collected port-specific traffic data to said common classification control module.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said common classification control module includes a data enhancement module for enhancing said traffic data.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said common classification control module includes a data transformation module that transforms said traffic data.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said common classification control module includes a data aggregation module that aggregates said traffic data.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein said common classification control module includes a trend identification module that identifies trends in said traffic data.
7. The system of claim 1 further including multiple port-specific traffic conditioner modules.
8. The system of claim 7 further including a traffic conditioning rules module that sets traffic conditioning rules in response to said processed traffic data.