Abstract: A system, method an article of manufacture is described for the implementation in a target selection function that receives (from a probe) one or more key performance indicator (KPI) threshold violations, receives a data network topology and traffic routing information (e.g., from the SDN controller or the routers in a data network), correlates the received KPI threshold violations and the received traffic routing information to determine network switches/routers on which in-band telemetry is to be initiated, and communicates an in-band telemetry request to such determined switches/routers.