Sampling and Filtering Techniques for IP Packet Selection
RFC 5475

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Network Working Group                                           T. Zseby
Request for Comments: 5475                              Fraunhofer FOKUS
Category: Standards Track                                      M. Molina
                                                                   DANTE
                                                             N. Duffield
                                                    AT&T Labs - Research
                                                            S. Niccolini
                                                         NEC Europe Ltd.
                                                              F. Raspall
                                                                EPSC-UPC
                                                              March 2009

       Sampling and Filtering Techniques for IP Packet Selection

Status of This Memo

   This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
   Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
   improvements.  Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
   Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
   and status of this protocol.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

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Zseby, et al.               Standards Track                     [Page 1]
RFC 5475           Techniques for IP Packet Selection         March 2009

Abstract

   This document describes Sampling and Filtering techniques for IP
   packet selection.  It provides a categorization of schemes and
   defines what parameters are needed to describe the most common
   selection schemes.  Furthermore, it shows how techniques can be
   combined to build more elaborate packet Selectors.  The document
   provides the basis for the definition of information models for
   configuring selection techniques in Metering Processes and for
   reporting the technique in use to a Collector.

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction ....................................................3
      1.1. Conventions Used in This Document ..........................4
   2. PSAMP Documents Overview ........................................4
   3. Terminology .....................................................4
      3.1. Observation Points, Packet Streams, and Packet Content .....4
      3.2. Selection Process ..........................................5
      3.3. Reporting ..................................................7
      3.4. Metering Process ...........................................7
      3.5. Exporting Process ..........................................8
      3.6. PSAMP Device ...............................................8
      3.7. Collector ..................................................8
      3.8. Selection Methods ..........................................8
   4. Categorization of Packet Selection Techniques ..................11
   5. Sampling .......................................................12
      5.1. Systematic Sampling .......................................13
      5.2. Random Sampling ...........................................14
           5.2.1. n-out-of-N Sampling ................................14
           5.2.2. Probabilistic Sampling .............................14
   6. Filtering ......................................................16
      6.1. Property Match Filtering ..................................16
      6.2. Hash-Based Filtering ......................................19
           6.2.1. Application Examples for Coordinated Packet
                  Selection ..........................................19
           6.2.2. Desired Properties of Hash Functions ...............21
           6.2.3. Security Considerations for Hash Functions .........22
           6.2.4. Choice of Hash Function ............................26