Patent ID: 7912934
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of scheduling network processing, the method comprising: identifying a plurality of probes, each respective one of the probes assigned to a network operation to verify connectivity in at least one virtual network, each one of the probes including a destination network address and a probe rate, the probe rate being indicative of a rate at which the respective one of the probes is propagated; classifying, with a processor, the probes into a plurality of probe groups based on at least one parameter of the probes to verify connectivity in the at least one virtual network, the probes in each respective one of the probe groups sharing a respective common classification based on the at least one parameter of the probes, the at least one parameter of the probes including the probe rate; optimizing, with the processor, network load resulting from the probes by scheduling, with the processor, operation of each respective one of the probe groups in accordance with the respective common classification, wherein scheduling the operation of each respective one of the probe groups comprises determining start times of the probe groups and probe group rates of the probe groups, the start times being distributed over time; and operating the probe groups as scheduled to verify connectivity in the at least one virtual network.