A Belief Network Reasoning Framework for Fault Localization in Communication Networks

Rongyu Liang,Jie Liu,Feng Liu

doi:10.3390/s20236950

Rongyu Liang, Jie Liu + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/s20236950

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Abstract

A small fault in a large communication network may cause abrupt and large alarms, making the localization of the root cause of failure a difficult task. Traditionally, fault localization is carried out by an operator who uses alarms in alarm lists; however, fault localization process complexity needs to be addressed using more autonomous and intelligent approaches. Here, we present an overall framework that uses a message propagation mechanism of belief networks to address fault localization problems in communication networks. The proposed framework allows for knowledge storage, inference, and message transmission, and can identify a fault’s root cause in an event-driven manner to improve the automation of the fault localization process. Avoiding the computational complexity of traditional Bayesian networks, we perform fault inference in polytrees with a noisy OR-gate model (PTNORgate), which can reduce computational complexity. We also offer a solution to store parameters in a network parameter table, similar to a routing table in communication networks, with the aim of facilitating the development of the algorithm. Case studies and a performance evaluation show that the solution is suitable for fault localization in communication networks in terms of speed and reliability.

Highlights

In large enterprises, communication networks have become a fundamental infrastructure.Increasingly diverse applications, such as online electronic transactions, network synergetic work, high-security remote monitoring, and even mission-critical remote control and emergency call services all run on top of the networks [1]
Motivated by the belief propagation mechanism proposed by Judea Pearl in [10], we present an application of belief networks using the message propagation mechanism for fault localization in a communication network, called polytree with noisy OR-gate (PTNORgate)
These results show that the message propagation approach has a good fault localization performance in terms of convergence speed

Summary

Introduction

Communication networks have become a fundamental infrastructure. Diverse applications, such as online electronic transactions, network synergetic work, high-security remote monitoring, and even mission-critical remote control and emergency call services all run on top of the networks [1]. Networks are increasing in size and complexity and are moving toward heterogeneity. In such a network, maintaining a higher level of performance and reliability is both a significant task and a challenging problem for fault management. The future network will be more intelligent and adaptive than the currents ones. Their fault localization methods and techniques need to emphasize the following objectives: automation, accuracy, speed and reliability

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