Patent ID: 7788366
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling a network, said network comprising: a first set of two or more network elements and a second set of one or more network elements, a policy controller; and an aggregator connected to said policy controller; said method comprising: collecting real-time operational information relating to attribute values at two or more agents from said first set of two or more network elements which host said agents; transmitting, by said two or more agents, said operational information to said aggregator; processing, by said aggregator, said operational information, wherein said processing comprises determining and forming two or more groups of network elements, each group including at least one network element from said first set of network elements; receiving said real-time operational information relating to said attribute values and results of said processing by said aggregator at said policy controller from said aggregator; selecting a policy by said policy controller, without human intervention, based on said real time information relating to said attribute values and said results of said processing by said aggregator, to be implemented by a selected group of said groups of network elements; and enforcing said selected policy on said at least one of said second set of network elements through said agent hosted thereby, wherein said at least one of said second set of network elements is included in the selected group of network elements, and wherein said enforcing comprises: