Metrics for Assessing Changes in Flow-based Networks

Abstract: This paper addresses the challenges of evaluating network performance in the presence of fluctuating traffic patterns, with a particular focus on the impact of peak data rates on network resources. We introduce a set of metrics to quantify network load and measure the impact of individual flows on the overall network state. By analyzing link and flow data through percentile values and sample distributions, and introducing the Utilization Score metric, the research provides insights into resource utilization under varying network conditions. Furthermore, we employ a modified Shapley value-based approach to measure the influence of individual flows on the network, offering a better understanding of their contribution to network performance. The paper reviews and compares 11 metrics across various network scenarios, evaluating their practical relevance for research and development. Our evaluation demonstrates that these metrics effectively capture changes in network state induced by specific flows, with three of them offering a broad range of valuable insights while remaining relatively easy to maintain. Moreover, the methodology described in this paper serves as a framework for future research, with the potential to expand and refine the set of metrics used to evaluate flow impact on network performance.