Abstract: Methods and systems for performing advanced analytics based on which features are active by correlating information based on temporal identifiers in feature databases. The method includes receiving a request to change a feature, determining metadata information for the feature, which may include a temporal indicator, a performance metric and a configuration of activation states, and generating a feature change record based on this metadata. The method includes receiving a request to determine a second performance metric, processing the request by determining a second feature change record, determining a configuration and generating a recommendation for display.

Abstract: Systems and methods use dynamically generated validation rules. These validation rules comprise a first validation rule portion that is generated using a standardized validation process (e.g., corresponding to a standardized schema) and a second validation rule portion that is generated using a validation process selected based on a non-standardized schema that is specific to a respective asset type of the plurality of respective asset types.

Abstract: A service monitoring mechanism for providing on-line standardized contract configurations for monitoring Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Service Level Contracts (SLCs) is described. The service monitoring mechanism provides a method for monitoring a service level agreement that defines for a particular network, a level of service that has been offered to a customer by a service provider. In one aspect, to provide for the monitoring of a service level agreement, a Service Level Manger (SLM) is configured to manage, monitor, and verify the SLAs that have been established between a customer and a Service Provider. The SLM provides a standardized open interface that allows users, including third parties, to define SLCs and SLAs for monitoring and verifying the level of service that is being provided by a service provider.

Abstract: A Time-Based Service Monitoring mechanism for monitoring Service Level Agreements (SLAs) over specific time intervals is described. To provide for the time-based monitoring of service, data is received for defining one or more tests for monitoring the level of network service that is being provided to a particular customer. Based on the received data, information is created and stored that defines a specific time range for when the one or more tests are to be enforced. The one or more tests are distributed to one or more agents that are configured to communicate with devices that are associated with the network. The devices are then configured to perform the one or more tests within the specific time range. Based on the results, the customer is provided information indicating whether they are receiving the level of service that has been guaranteed by the service provider over the specific time intervals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for aggregating flow records representing network flow. Specifically, flow records may be organized according to whether they are request records, response records associated with the request records, or flow records associated with neither category. A request record may represent a network flow to a particular device of a particular network flow type, for example, network flow to a standard port. The request records and flow records are then aggregated.