Method for determining feature utilization in a software-defined network

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019104034-A1
Application number	US-201715720179-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 29, 2017
Priority date	Sep 29, 2017
Publication date	Apr 4, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

In a computer-implemented method for determining feature utilization in a software-defined network, an available feature set for the software-defined network is determined, wherein the available feature set is based on a version of the software-defined network. Features enabled on the software-defined network are determined. The features enabled in the software-defined network are compared to the available feature set. A network profile score is generated based on the comparing, where the network profile score includes constituent feature scores for features of the available feature set. The network profile score is presented in a graphical user interface, the network profile score providing an indication of feature utilization of the available feature set, where the graphical user interface allows for receiving a user interaction for presenting the constituent feature scores for the features of the available feature set responsive to the user interaction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A computer-implemented method for determining feature utilization in a software-defined network, the method comprising:
determining an available feature set for the software-defined network, wherein the available feature set is based on a version of the software-defined network; determining features enabled on the software-defined network; comparing the features enabled in the software-defined network to the available feature set; generating a network profile score based on the comparing, wherein the network profile score comprises constituent feature scores for features of the available feature set; and presenting the network profile score in a graphical user interface, the network profile score providing an indication of feature utilization of the available feature set, wherein the graphical user interface allows for receiving a user interaction for presenting the constituent feature scores for the features of the available feature set responsive to the user interaction.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the available feature set for the software-defined network comprises:
accessing telemetry data for the software-defined network, wherein the telemetry data comprises data identifying the version of the software-defined network.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the version is a license version of the software-defined network, wherein different license versions comprises different available feature sets.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the features enabled on the software-defined network comprises:
accessing telemetry data for the software-defined network, wherein the telemetry data comprises data identifying at least a portion of the features enabled on the software-defined network.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the features enabled on the software-defined network comprises:
analyzing the software-defined network to identify at least a portion of the features enabled on the software-defined network.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating the network profile score based on the comparing comprises:
determining the constituent feature scores for the features of the available feature set, wherein the constituent feature score represents a degree of enablement of the feature; and aggregating the constituent feature scores into the network profile score.

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
weighing the constituent feature scores according to a relative weight value prior to the aggregating the constituent feature scores into the network profile score.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein a constituent feature score of the constituent feature scores comprises a Boolean value identifying whether a corresponding constituent feature is enabled.

9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein a constituent feature score of the constituent feature scores comprises a relative value identifying a degree to which corresponding constituent feature is enabled.

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving an indication removing a feature from the available feature set, such that the available feature set does not comprise the feature.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the presenting the network profile score in a graphical user interface comprises:
presenting an entitled network profile score based on an actual enablement of features of the available feature set.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the presenting the network profile score in a graphical user interface comprises:
presenting a potential network profile score based on a complete enablement of features of the available feature set for a different version of the software-defined network.

13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
responsive to receiving a selection of a feature corresponding to a constituent feature score at the graphical user interface, presenting information related to the feature; and provided the constituent feature score is indicative of less than full enablement of the feature, presenting a selectable control for increasing enablement of the feature.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the selectable control comprises a control for enabling the feature.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the selectable control is operable to access a configuration control for controlling enablement of the feature.

16 . In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display device and a user interface selection device, a method for determining feature utilization in a software-defined network, the method comprising:
determining an available feature set for the software-defined network, wherein the available feature set is based on a version of the software-defined network; determining features enabled on the software-defined network based at least in part on telemetry data for the software-defined network and on an analysis of the software-defined network; comparing the features enabled in the software-defined network to the available feature set; generating a network profile score based on the comparing, wherein the network profile score comprises constituent feature scores for features of the available feature set; presenting the network profile score in the graphical user interface, the network profile score providing an indication of feature utilization of the available feature set; responsive to a user interaction with the network profile score at the graphical user interface, presenting the constituent feature scores for the features of the available feature set responsive to the user interaction; responsive to a second user interaction selecting a feature corresponding to a constituent feature score at the graphical user interface, presenting information related to the feature; and provided the constituent feature score is indicative of less than full enablement of the feature, presenting a selectable control for increasing enablement of the feature.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the presenting the network profile score in a graphical user interface comprises:
presenting an entitled network profile score based on an actual enablement of features of the available feature set.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the presenting the network profile score in a graphical user interface comprises:
presenting a potential network profile score based on a complete enablement of features of the available feature set for a different version of the software-defined network.

19 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
responsive to a third user interaction with the selectable control, enabling the feature.

20 . A computer system comprising:
a graphical user interface; a display device; a user interface selection device; and one or more processors configured to:
determine an available feature set for a software-defined network, wherein the available feature set is based on a version of the software-defined network;
determine features enabled on the software-defined network based at least in part on telemetry data for the software-defined network and on an analysis of the software-defined network;
generate a network profile score based on comparing the features enabled in the software-defined network to the available feature set, wherein the network profile score comprises constituent feature scores for features of the available feature set;
present the network profile score in the graphical user interface, the network profi

Assignees

• Nicira Inc

Inventors

• Myneni Sirisha
• Chanda Arijit

Classifications

• H04L41/08

  Configuration management of networks or network elements (address allocation H04L61/50) · CPC title

• H04L41/5032

  Generating service level reports · CPC title

• H04L43/062

  related to network traffic · CPC title

• H04L41/5096

  wherein the managed service relates to distributed or central networked applications · CPC title

• H04L41/22

  comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI] · CPC title