Proactive network-fault detection [telecommunications]

To improve network reliability and management in today's high-speed communication networks, the authors propose an intelligent system using adaptive statistical approaches. The system learns the normal behavior (norm) of the network. Deviations from the norm are detected and the information is combined in the probabilistic framework of a Bayes network. The proposed communication system thereby can detect unknown or unseen faults. As demonstrated on real network data, this method can detect abnormal behavior before a fault actually occurs, giving the network management system (human or automated) the ability to avoid a potentially serious problem.