Patent ID: 7020085
Filing Date: 2006-03-28
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A packet switch placed on one end boundary of a network, and connected to a plurality of packet switches that are managed by a network management system, the packet switch comprising: a detector for detecting the start of communication in packets constituting a communication flow to be monitored by looking up a condition matching with the data contained in the header of incoming packets from among pre-registered conditions for identifying communication flows that are to be monitored; a meter for starting to acquire statistical data on the identified communication flow to be monitored when detecting the start of communication in the packets constituting the communication flow to be monitored; and an interface for, when said switch detects the end of the communication in the packets constituting said identified communication flow to be monitored, sending a packet partially including the locally obtained statistical data to the adjoining packet switch placed downstream in the route across which the packets constituting said identified communication flow to be monitored have passed and instructing said adjoining packet switch to collect the statistical data on said identified communication flow to be monitored locally obtained by said adjoining packet switch.