Cascade-based classification of network devices using multi-scale bags of network words

摘要

In one embodiment, a device classification service extracts, for each of a plurality of time windows, one or more sets of traffic features of network traffic in a network from traffic telemetry data captured by the network. The service represents, for the time windows, the extracted one or more sets of traffic features as feature vectors. A feature vector for a time window indicates whether each of the traffic features was present in the network traffic during that window. The service trains, using a training dataset based on the feature vectors, a cascade of machine learning classifiers to label devices with device types. The service uses the classifiers to label a particular device in the network with a device type based on the traffic features of network traffic associated with that device. The service initiates enforcement of a network policy regarding the device based on its device type.