[freeside] mediation + freeside

[ivan at 420.am]

On Thu, Jul 24, 2003 at 01:06:48PM -0400, Lal, Deepak (Contractor) wrote:
> Thanks for the comments Ivan. A few notes: 
> 
> >I'd prefer querying the raw (Netflow, LFAP, whatever) data source and
> >dumping to the database in real-time rather than using intermediate
> >batch text processing tools
> 
> The problem is that LFAP/NetFlow cannot be queried. The LFAP packets are sent
> from the device to a LFAP "listener" in regular intervals. 

Same difference.  An LFAP "listener" would dump to the database
as-recevied.

> Another issue is that LFAP protocol specifies two different PDU's - one
> containing flow information (ID, Source, Destination, port, etc.) and other
> containing the data (octets in, octets out, etc.) 
>
> This automatically implies that correlation needs to be done to align data from
> these two PDU's. This in turn excludes a real-time dumping to the db. 

I don't see how this is any different than coallating RADIUS Start and
Stop records, and disagree that it excludes real-time dumping to the
database.

> Probably using an external data source would be easier - Modifying
> the existing schema might lead to other unnecessary problems.

If there's a package that provide such an existing, queryable data
source, like SQL RADIUS servers do, sure.  Text files are not useful for
this purpose.

If not, modify the schema and bring the data internally "raw" rather
than post-processed through text tools.

-- 
_ivan


> 
> Deepak
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ivan at 420.am [mailto:ivan at 420.am] 
> Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 11:35 AM
> To: ivan-freeside at sisd.com
> Subject: Re: [freeside] mediation + freeside
> 
> On Thu, Jul 24, 2003 at 11:16:52AM -0400, Lal, Deepak (Contractor) wrote:
> > I would not mind contributing if I could get some information and advice:
> > 
> > 1) How does Freeside do the billing now ?
> 
> Using a configurable billing expression.  See "View/Edit package
> definitions" in the web interface and FS::part_pkg
> 
> > Is it based on Radius accounting records only ?
> 
> That's one way to bill on metered data currently (another would be the
> session monitor).  I wouldn't want to shoehorn things like Netflow or
> LFAP data into RADIUS accounting records if it wasn't a good fit.
> 
> > 2) If I already have the mediation done for Netflow or LFAP data and
> > the data is available in some form (text file), what would the
> > "hooks" be for integration with freeside?
> 
> Create new table(s) to hold the data.  Arrange to import the accounting
> Create a billing expression and any necessary query methods to bill on
> this data. data.
> 
> I'd prefer querying the raw (Netflow, LFAP, whatever) data source and
> dumping to the database in real-time rather than using intermediate
> batch text processing tools.
> 
> Alternatively, use an external accounting data source (like the current
> SQL RADIUS support) and just write methods to query it and an
> appropriate billing expression.
> 
> > 3) Would correlating IP addresses with Subscribers and then pushing the
> > bandwidth/app utilization for each subscriber to the database suffice ?
> 
> That would be one part of the necessary work, but not the
> only or sufficient one.
> 
> > 4) If yes to 3), would I need to define new tables or alter the
> > current schema ?
> 
> Using an internal accounting data store, schema changes would be
> necessary.
> 
> Using an external accounting data store, schema changes would probably
> not be necessary.
> 
> In either case, you'd want to work from CVS HEAD for a development
> project of this scope.
> 
> Good luck.
> 
> --
> _ivan
> 
> 
> > 
> > Any pointers would be helpful.
> > 
> > Thanks
> > 
> > Deepak 
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: ivan at 420.am [mailto:ivan at 420.am] 
> > Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 11:07 AM
> > To: ivan-freeside at sisd.com
> > Subject: Re: [freeside] mediation + freeside
> > 
> > Freeside does not yet support billing on netflow or LFAP data.
> > Contribute or sponsor work in this area if it is important to you.
> > 
> > --
> > _ivan
> > 
> > 
> > On Thu, Jul 24, 2003 at 10:45:13AM -0400, Lal, Deepak (Contractor) wrote:
> > > I am trying to see if I can use freeside to bill users in an environment
> where
> > > we are using Riverstone routers. I am collecting flow accounting information
> > > using open source mediation programs mica and basalt. Basalt gives me a text
> > > file (comma separated) that has the information for IP
> addresses/port/packets
> > in
> > > and out/etc.
> > > 
> > >  
> > > 
> > > How does Freeside interface with this file ?  Is the source for billing
> > > information in Freeside a Radius server's accounting records? Does Freeside
> > come
> > > with some process that can read text files? If I need to pull the
> information
> > > from the text file, where do I have to write this information (Tables in
> > > database) so that freeside can do the billing.
> > > 
> > >  
> > > 
> > > Thanks
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Deepak 
> > > 
> > 
> > -- 
> > _ivan
> 
> -- 
> _ivan

-- 
_ivan