Patent ID: 7788365
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A system for monitoring traffic on a communications network, the system comprising: a plurality of data collection sources connected at predetermined connection points on the network, wherein each of the data collection sources generates a plurality of fundamental metrics, the fundamental metrics being representative of at least one characteristic of the network traffic traversing the corresponding connection point, the data collection sources including at least a network link circuit and a data frame circuit configured to generate the plurality of fundamental metrics; a data portal connected to the plurality of data collection sources so as to receive the plurality of fundamental metrics, at least some of which are then included in at least one data container having a predefined format, and wherein the data portal further generates at least one processor object that is included in the at least one data container, the at least one processor object providing predefined logic capable of processing information represented by the fundamental metrics contained within the data container; and a monitoring client operatively connected to the data portal, the client including: a communication interface configured to selectively request and receive at least one data container from the data portal; and a user interface capable of selectively displaying network information derived from the contents of at least one data container, wherein the predefined logic of the processor object is defined based on a metrics request received by the data portal from the monitoring client, the metrics request requesting a type of derivation to be performed by the predefined logic on the information represented by the fundamental metrics to generate derived metrics, and wherein at least a portion of the displayed network information is based upon the derived metrics.