Patent ID: 8274895
Filing Date: 2012-09-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method performed by a flow network element in a network flow management system, the method comprising the flow network element performing the steps of: monitoring network flows at a subscriber-level for a plurality of subscribers; exporting flow records corresponding to monitored network flows to a collector by an exporting module, wherein the exporting module is coupled with an observation and metering module, the flow records associated with the plurality of subscribers, wherein each flow record includes an identification of which one of the plurality of subscribers the flow record belongs, wherein the collector is coupled with a plurality of flow network elements, the collector including receiving one or more flow policies from a combined authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) and policy server that were assigned by applying the exported flow records against a plurality of policy rule definitions at a policy client module of the collector, wherein each received flow policy identifies an action to take on network parameters associated with one of the plurality of subscribers as a result of violating one or more policy rules; and applying the one or more flow policies, wherein each applied flow policy modifies at least some of the network parameters associated with one of the plurality of subscribers.