How Max, Min, Average values with DX NetOps Performance management are calculated ?

Products

• DX NetOps

Issue/Introduction

DX NetOps Performance Management calculates Max, Min, and Average values for metrics collected from monitored devices. For us it is important to understand the calculations to accurately interpreting performance data and trends.

Environment

DX NetOps Performance Management All releases

Cause

The Min, Max, and Avg values can vary significantly due to several factors:

• Fluctuations in Network Traffic: Sudden spikes or drops in network traffic can lead to higher Max values or lower Min values.
• Polling Intervals: The frequency of data collection impacts the granularity and accuracy of the calculated values.
• Device Performance: Variations in device performance and load can affect the metrics collected during each poll cycle.
• Environmental Factors: External conditions, such as temperature changes or hardware issues, can influence device performance metrics.

Resolution

Here is a Detailed Explanation:

1. Data Collection Process:

• DX NetOps Performance Management collects metric data from devices at regular intervals, known as poll cycles. For example, in a typical 5-minute poll cycle, data is collected every 5 minutes.

2. Metric Expression:

• Each metric has an associated expression that defines how data is collected and calculated from specific MIB OIDs. These expressions are defined in the Vendor Certifications.

3. Calculation of Values:

Max (Maximum) Value:

• The Max value represents the highest data point observed over a specified time period. For instance, if the data is collected over an hour with 5-minute poll cycles (resulting in 12 data points), the Max value will be the highest value among those 12 data points.

Min (Minimum) Value:

• The Min value represents the lowest data point observed over the specified time period. Using the same example of an hour with 12 data points, the Min value will be the lowest value among those 12 data points.

Average (Avg) Value:

• The Average value is the arithmetic mean of all data points collected over the specified time period. In the hourly example with 12 data points, the Avg value is calculated by summing all 12 data points and dividing by 12.

4. Data Presentation:

Trend Line Views:

• Trend lines track and display the collected metric data over time. They are less impacted by individual Min/Max values as they represent the continuous changes in data.

Non-Trend Line Views:

• In views such as Table or Bar Chart, the Min, Max, and Avg values are represented as single data points.
  • Table View: Displays individual Min, Max, and Avg values for the selected time frame.
  • Bar Chart View: Visualizes Min, Max, and Avg values, showing the range and distribution of the metric data over the selected period.

5. Example: Last Hour Time Frame

• When analyzing data for the last hour, DX NetOps Performance Management collects twelve 5-minute poll cycle data points.
  • Min Value: The lowest data point among the 12 collected.
  • Max Value: The highest data point among the 12 collected.
  • Avg Value: The average of the 12 data points.

Reference Documentation - Total, Average, Minimum, and Maximum Values