Apparatus for size-dependent sampling for managing a data network

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus for sampling data flows in a data network in order to estimate a total data volume in the network. Sampling the data flows in the data network reduces the network resources that must be expended by the network to support the associated activity. The present invention enables the service provider of the data network to control sampled volumes in relation to the desired accuracy. The control can be either static or can be dynamic for cases in which the data volumes are changing as a function of time.

1 . An apparatus for managing a data network, comprising: 
 means for receiving an object, wherein the object is characterized by at least one attribute and wherein the object comprises at least one data element;    means for determining whether to sample the object in accordance with a probabilistic parameter; and    means for sampling the object if it is determined that sampling is required.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the probabilistic parameter is determined from a cost function.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the cost function relates a network resource to a quality of measurements.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the network resource corresponds to a sampling volume and the quality of measurements corresponds to a sampling accuracy.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for aggregating a plurality of samples in accordance with the at least one attribute.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said means for determining utilizes one of the at least one attribute to determine whether to sample the object.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said one of the at least one attribute comprises a size of the object, wherein the size includes a contribution of the at least one data element.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the object comprises at least one data element, wherein the data element is selected from a group comprising at least one of: an octet, an Internet Protocol (IP) packet, a frame relay packet, or an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cell.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for determining a measured usage of the data network in accordance with the at least one attribute; and    means for charging a customer for the measured usage in accordance with a charging function, wherein the customer is associated with the at least one attribute and wherein the customer is presented a bill for a billing period and wherein a charging accuracy is related to the charging function and an accuracy of the measured usage.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said means for charging utilizes a minimum usage and a usage charge, or wherein said means for charging utilizes a fixed charge.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for calculating an estimated sampling volume.    
   
   
       12 . A method for managing a data network, comprising: 
 receiving an object, wherein the object is characterized by at least one attribute and wherein the object comprises at least one data element;    determining whether to sample the object in accordance with a probabilistic parameter; and    sampling the object if it is determined that sampling is required.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the probabilistic parameter is determined from a cost function.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cost function relates a network resource to a quality of measurements.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the network resource corresponds to a sampling volume and the quality of measurements corresponds to a sampling accuracy.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 aggregating a plurality of samples in accordance with the at least one attribute.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said determining utilizes one of the at least one attribute to determine whether to sample the object.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said one of the at least one attribute comprises a size of the object, wherein the size includes a contribution of the at least one data element.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the object comprises at least one data element, wherein the data element is selected from a group comprising at least one of: an octet, an Internet Protocol (IP) packet, a frame relay packet, or an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cell.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 determining a measured usage of the data network in accordance with the at least one attribute; and    charging a customer for the measured usage in accordance with a charging function, wherein the customer is associated with the at least one attribute and wherein the customer is presented a bill for a billing period and wherein a charging accuracy is related to the charging function and an accuracy of the measured usage.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said charging utilizes a minimum usage and a usage charge, or wherein said charging utilizes a fixed charge.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 calculating an estimated sampling volume.