Policy driven network probe for determining internet protocol selection

Abstract

A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: transferring data over a network using a first mode; randomly, periodically and/or continuously determining network performance characteristics during the transferring, and applying a policy to the network performance characteristics determined during the transferring. The first mode of data transfer is continued to be used in response to a result of applying the policy mandating continued use of the first mode. Yet, in response to the result of applying the policy mandating use of a second mode, the second mode of data transfer is selected. Moreover, data is transferred over the network using the second mode in response to selecting the second mode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 transferring data over a network using a first mode;   randomly, periodically and/or continuously determining network performance characteristics during the transferring;   applying a policy to the network performance characteristics determined during the transferring;   continuing to use the first mode of data transfer in response to a result of applying the policy mandating continued use of the first mode;   selecting a second mode of data transfer in response to the result of applying the policy mandating use of the second mode; and   transferring data over the network using the second mode in response to selecting the second mode.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the network performance characteristics are continuously determined during the transferring. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , comprising creating the policy, wherein creating the policy includes:
 selecting policy attributes for the policy,   setting values for the policy attributes, and   associating the policy attributes with multiple modes of network data transfer.   
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 3 , wherein the policy attributes include at least two of:
 a.) data object size threshold,   b.) period of time for scheduling,   c.) packet loss,   d.) high priority data transfer,   e.) node and/or storage pool name,   f.) performance metrics refresh rate,   g.) using bi-direction hybrid,   h.) using one-way hybrid,   i.) minimum throughput, and   j.) maximum throughput.   
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 3 , wherein the policy attributes include a time of day during the data transfer. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 3 , wherein the policy attributes include a measured throughput during the data transfer. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , comprising determining network performance characteristics prior to the data transfer, applying the policy to the network performance characteristics prior to the data transfer and selecting the first mode of data transfer prior to the data transfer based on application of the policy to the network performance characteristics. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , comprising receiving a request to override the policy, and applying a mode of data transfer defined by the request in response to receiving the request. 
     
     
         9 . A computer program product for selecting a mode of data transfer based on application of a policy to network performance characteristics, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se, the program instructions executable by a computer to cause the computer to:
 transfer, by the computer, data over a network using a first mode;   randomly, periodically and/or continuously determine, by the computer, network performance characteristics during the transferring;   create, by the computer, a policy, wherein creating the policy includes:
 selecting policy attributes for the policy, 
 setting values for the policy attributes, and 
 associating the policy attributes with multiple modes of network data transfer; 
   apply, by the computer, the policy to the network performance characteristics determined during the transferring;   continue to use, by the computer, the first mode of data transfer in response to a result of applying the policy mandating continued use of the first mode;   select, by the computer, a second mode of data transfer in response to the result of applying the policy mandating use of the second mode; and   transfer, by the computer, data over the network using the second mode in response to selecting the second mode.   
     
     
         10 . The computer program product of  claim 9 , wherein the network performance characteristics are continuously determined during the transferring. 
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 9 , wherein the policy attributes include at least two of:
 a.) data object size threshold,   b.) packet loss,   c.) high priority data transfer,   d.) node and/or storage pool name,   e.) performance metrics refresh rate,   f.) using bi-direction hybrid,   g.) using one-way hybrid,   h.) minimum throughput, and   i.) maximum throughput.   
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 9 , wherein the policy attributes include a time of day during the data transfer. 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 9 , wherein the policy attributes include a measured throughput during the data transfer. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 9 , comprising determining network performance characteristics prior to the data transfer, applying the policy to the network performance characteristics prior to the data transfer and selecting the first mode of data transfer prior to the data transfer based on application of the policy to the network performance characteristics. 
     
     
         15 . A system, comprising:
 a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor, the logic being configured to:
 create or retrieve, by the processor, a policy, wherein creating the policy includes:
 selecting policy attributes for the policy, 
 setting values for the policy attributes, and 
 associating the policy attributes with multiple modes of network data transfer; 
 
 determine, by the processor, network performance characteristics; 
 apply, by the processor, the policy to the network performance characteristics; 
 select, by the processor, a first mode of data transfer based on application of the policy to the network performance characteristics; 
 transfer, by the processor, data over the network using the first mode; 
 randomly, periodically and/or continuously determine, by the processor, network performance characteristics during the transferring; 
 apply, by the processor, the policy to the network performance characteristics determined during the transferring; 
 continue to use, by the processor, the first mode of data transfer in response to a result of applying the policy mandating continued use of the first mode; 
 select, by the processor, a second mode of data transfer in response to the result of applying of the policy mandating use of the second mode; and 
 transfer, by the processor, data over the network using the second mode in response to selecting the second mode. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the network performance characteristics are continuously determined during the transferring. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the policy attributes include at least two of:
 a.) packet loss,   b.) high priority data transfer,   c.) node and/or storage pool name,   d.) performance metrics refresh rate,   e.) using bi-direction hybrid,   f.) using one-way hybrid,   g.) minimum throughput, and   h.) maximum throughput.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the policy attributes include a time of day during the data transfer. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , the logic being configured to:
 receive, by the processor, a request to override the policy;   authenticating, by the processor, the request; and   apply, by the processor, a mode of data transfer defined by the request in response to receiving the request,   wherein the policy attributes include a measured throughput during the data transfer,   wherein authenticating the request includes subjecting the request to a failsafe, wherein the failsafe ensures the request was not received in error.