MRTG in Fourier Space

Fri Apr 24 04:07:37 UTC 2009

As IP traffic is assumed to be self-similar, my EE origins tell me to
look for parameters that could measure it from stochastic process
theory. On a Google search this paper sounded interesting:
http://www.sparc.uni-mb.si/OPNET/PDF/IWSSIP2007Fras.pdf
(...) We estimated
the Hurst parameter (H) for the arrival process, and the
fitted distributions for the measured data (packet size and
inter-arrival processes). Using the autocorrelation function of
the process, we determined long-range or short-range
dependence.
distribution and its parameters. The Hurst parameter was
estimated using three graphical methods (variance, R/S,
and periodogram methods). Distribution and its parameters
were estimated using fitting tools. (...)

Doing it in RRD-time seems like a challenge, though.

It might be easier to plot fractals from the data source if your
target audience is made of humans, because they will spot patterns
real fast with much less number crunching.

Rubens

On Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 9:12 PM, Crist Clark <Crist.Clark at globalstar.com> wrote:
> Maybe a slightly off topic math-geek kind of question to
> take time out from the ARIN/death-of-IPv4/IPv6-evangalist
> thread of the week.
>
> Has anyone found any value in examining network utilization
> numbers with Fourier analyses? After staring at pretty
> MRTG graphs for a bit too long today, I'm wondering if
> there are some interesting periodic characteristics in the
> data that could be easily teased out beyond, "Well, the
> diurnal fluctuations are obvious, but looks like we may
> have some hourly traffic spikes in there too. And maybe
> some of those are bigger every fourth hour."
>
> A quick Google search turned up nothing at all. With many
> EE-types who find their way into network operations and
> wannabe-EEs already there, I found that maybe a little
> surprising. I know the EEs love Fourier transforms.
>
>
>