Network expert diagnostic system for real-time control

ABSTRACT

Data communications networks are controlled by network management systems that are responsible for performance and fault management. This paper presents an expert system capable of performing fault and performance management through different levels of autonomous control. A blackboard architecture design provides for processing of multiple lines of machine reasoning and planning: the set of all unresolved events is used to generate hypotheses of network state through event correlation and ancillary network information; supporting network data provides evidence that supports or refutes the hypotheses; conclusions are drawn from the hypotheses; plans of corrective action are built, executed, and monitored to attempt improvement to a “normal” network state.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.0 General
          Subjects: Data communications

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.1 Network Architecture and Design
          Subjects: Network communications

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

  J. Computer Applications
  J.7 COMPUTERS IN OTHER SYSTEMS
      Subjects: Command and control

General Terms:
Design, Performance, Theory