Cisco Systems, Inc.
Refinement of device classification and clustering based on policy coloring

Abstract:

In one embodiment, a device classification service receives data indicative of network traffic policies assigned to a plurality of device types. The device classification service associates measures of policy restrictiveness with the device types, based on the received data indicative of the network traffic policies assigned to the plurality of device types. The device classification service determines misclassification costs associated with a machine learning-based device type classifier of the service misclassifying an endpoint device of one of the plurality device types with another of the plurality of device types, based on their associated measures of policy restrictiveness. The device classification service adjusts the machine learning-based device type classifier to account for the determined misclassification costs.