Patent ID: 6085243
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: G06F,H04L,H04W

Abstract:
A method for the distributed collecting of network data traffic statistics, wherein said network comprises end systems (ES) connected to network segments, the method comprising:capturing network data at a plurality of said ESs, said network data observed at said ESs;computing individual network traffic statistics at said plurality of said ESs, said individual traffic statistics being extracted from analysis of said captured network data;including, in each of the ESs participating in said distributed collecting, an agent, said agent being an executable module invisible to a user for collecting traffic statistics and said agent capturing only network data that its native ES sends or receives;transmitting data containing said individual traffic statistics to a collector from said plurality of said ESs;compiling said individual traffic statistics from individual ESs into group network statistics;providing reports based on said compiled statistics, from said collector, to a network manager;transmitting data containing compiled statistics from said collector to a domain collector;compiling statistics from a plurality of collectors at said domain collector; andproviding reports based on said compiled statistics, from said domain collector, to a network manager.