Patent ID: 8121043
Filing Date: 2012-02-21
Classification: H04L,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for processing packets in a network, the computer-implemented method comprising: receiving a first packet from a network; determining whether the first packet belongs to an existing flow, for which flow statistical data is being collected, or a first new flow, for which flow statistical data is not yet being collected; if the first packet belongs to the existing flow for which statistical data is being collected, then updating the flow statistical data in a memory of a network device for the existing flow to reflect the first packet; in response to determining that the first packet belongs to the first new flow for which statistical data is not yet being collected, then if, based upon the first sampling probability, flow statistical data is to be collected for the first new flow, then generating and storing in the memory of the network device for the first new flow, flow statistical data that reflects the first packet, wherein the first sampling probability for the new flow is different than a sampling probability for the existing flow for which flow statistical data is being collected.