Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for generating a single record reflecting multiple services for accounting purposes. First, a plurality of services carried out over a network are identified. Such services may include an hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) session, an electronic mail session, and/or a voice over Internet Protocol (IP) session. Further, data is collected describing the plurality of services. A single record is subsequently generated using the collected data to represent each of the services.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstructing sessions on a network is described. The method allows for monitoring of quality of service at an application level as well as for understanding application specific events. This allows the method to be used to generate service detail records for usage based on application type for use in billing. It also allows the qualitative and quantitative analysis of quality of service based on application specific parameters. For example, for web applications, quality of service can be measured by the time from requesting a link till the close of the session by delivery of the whole page. Similarly, for voice over IP calls, application events like adding participants and removing participants can be detected and billed accordingly. Also, the quality of service can be measured. For example, the actual latency can be compared to a predetermined latency amount set by a provider for voice over IP calls.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for generating a single record reflecting multiple services for accounting purposes. First, a plurality of services carried out over a network are identified. Such services may include an hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) session, an electronic mail session, and/or a voice over Internet Protocol (IP) session. Further, data is collected describing the plurality of services. A single record is subsequently generated using the collected data to represent each of the services.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for gathering statistics associated with a network session. Initially, a plurality of packets is received at a plurality of analyzers. Such packets are analyzed to identify a plurality of flows. Further identified are a session associated with the plurality of flows and at least one application associated with the session. The session is then reconstructed utilizing the identified application for analysis purposes. A plurality of statistics associated with the session is then gathered based on the analysis.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for decreasing the time with which a first table and a second table is synchronized. Initially, a threshold value amount, i.e. monetary value, is identified. In use, the first table and the second table are synchronized. The manner (such as speed) with which the synchronization is executed may then be based on the threshold value amount.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for contract-based aggregation. Initially, records indicative of network events are received. Such records are received in an aggregator for the purpose of aggregating the records. Thereafter, contracts associated with the records are identified. The records are subsequently aggregated based at least in part on the contracts using the aggregator.

Abstract: In some embodiments, network traffic information is captured at network information sources. These sources provide detailed information about the network communications transactions at a network device. Importantly, different types of sources can provide different types of information. Gatherer devices gather the detailed information from the various information source devices and convert the information into standardized information. The gatherer devices can correlate the gathered information with account information for network transaction accounting. Manager devices manage the gatherer devices and store the gathered standardized information. The manager devices eliminate duplicate network information that may exist in the standardized information. The manager devices also consolidate the information. Importantly, the information stored by the manager devices represents the consolidated, account correlated, network transaction information that can be used for billing or network accounting.

Abstract: In some embodiments, network traffic information is captured at network information sources. These sources provide detailed information about the network communications transactions at a network device. Importantly, different types of sources can provide different types of information. Gatherer devices gather the detailed information from the various information source devices and convert the information into standardized information. The gatherer devices can correlate the gathered information with account information for network transaction accounting. Manager devices manage the gatherer devices and store the gathered standardized information. The manager devices eliminate duplicate network information that may exist in the standardized information. The manager devices also consolidate the information. Importantly, the information stored by the manager devices represents the consolidated, account correlated, network transaction information that can be used for billing or network accounting.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for handling network accounting information. Initially, records indicative of network events are received from an input source. Next, action events are selected based on the input source. Such selected action events are then executed on the records for reading, correlating, processing, categorizing, and/or aggregating network accounting information associated with the records.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstructing sessions on a network is described. The method allows for monitoring of quality of service at an application level as well as for understanding application specific events. This allows the method to be used to generate service detail records for usage based on application type for use in billing. It also allows the qualitative and quantitative analysis of quality of service based on application specific parameters. For example, for web applications, quality of service can be measured by the time from requesting a link till the close of the session by delivery of the whole page. Similarly, for voice over IP calls, application events like adding participants and removing participants can be detected and billed accordingly. Also, the quality of service can be measured. For example, the actual latency can be compared to a predetermined latency amount set by a provider for voice over IP calls.

Abstract: In some embodiments, network traffic information is captured at network information sources. These sources provide detailed information about the network communications transactions at a network device. Importantly, different types of sources can provide different types of information. Gatherer devices gather the detailed information from the various information source devices and convert the information into standardized information. The gatherer devices can correlate the gathered information with account information for network transaction accounting. Manager devices manage the gatherer devices and store the gathered standardized information. The manager devices eliminate duplicate network information that may exist in the standardized information. The manager devices also consolidate the information. Importantly, the information stored by the manager devices represents the consolidated, account correlated, network transaction information that can be used for billing or network accounting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstructing sessions on a network is described. The method allows for monitoring of quality of service at an application level as well as for understanding application specific events. This allows the method to be used to generate service detail records for usage based on application type for use in billing. It also allows the qualitative and quantitative analysis of quality of service based on application specific parameters. For example, for web applications, quality of service can be measured by the time from requesting a link till the close of the session by delivery of the whole page. Similarly, for voice over IP calls, application events like adding participants and removing participants can be detected and billed accordingly. Also, the quality of service can be measured. For example, the actual latency can be compared to a predetermined latency amount set by a provider for voice over IP calls.

Abstract: In some embodiments, network traffic information is captured at network information sources. These sources provide detailed information about the network communications transactions at a network device. Importantly, different types of sources can provide different types of information. Gatherer devices gather the detailed information from the various information source devices and convert the information into standardized information. The gatherer devices can correlate the gathered information with account information for network transaction accounting. Manager devices manage the gatherer devices and store the gathered standardized information. The manager devices eliminate duplicate network information that may exist in the standardized information. The manager devices also consolidate the information. Importantly, the information stored by the manager devices represents the consolidated, account correlated, network transaction information that can be used for billing or network accounting.

Abstract: In some embodiments, network traffic information is captured at network information sources. These sources provide detailed information about the network communications transactions at a network device. Importantly, different types of sources can provide different types of information. Gatherer devices gather the detailed information from the various information source devices and convert the information into standardized information. The gatherer devices can correlate the gathered information with account information for network transaction accounting. Manager devices manage the gatherer devices and store the gathered standardized information. The manager devices eliminate duplicate network information that may exist in the standardized information. The manager devices also consolidate the information. Importantly, the information stored by the manager devices represents the consolidated, account correlated, network transaction information that can be used for billing or network accounting.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for charging for Internet Protocol (IP) usage utilizing a wireless network. Initially, call description record information is received from a wireless network in real-time. Such call description record information is associated with customer communication over the wireless network. Further collected in real-time is IP content usage information associated with the transmission of content using an IP during the customer communication in real-time. The customer is then charged for the customer communication utilizing the call description record information and the IP content usage information.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for paying for a transaction over the Internet. Initially, information is received utilizing a network. Such information includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address of a user and an amount of payment due. An account is then identified using at least a portion of the information, i.e. the IP address. Thereafter, payment is administered for the payment due by billing against the account. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may be carried out by a network service provider who provides the user with access to the network.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for affording a digital wallet for Internet Protocol (IP) usage utilizing a wireless network. Initially, a request is received for a debit account. Such request includes payment for such debit account. In response to the request, the debit account is enabled. Payment for wireless network voice communication over a wireless network is then collected by billing against the debit account. Further, payment for IP usage is collected by billing against the debit account. Such IP usage is carried out using the wireless network.