Multiclass imbalanced and concept drift network traffic classification framework based on online active learning
Weike Liu, Cheng Zhu, Zhaoyun Ding, Hang Zhang, Qingbao Liu
Abstract
The complex problems of multiclass imbalance, virtual or real concept drift, concept evolution, high-speed traffic streams and limited label cost budgets pose severe challenges in network traffic classification tasks. In this paper, we propose a multiclass imbalanced and concept drift network traffic classification framework based on online active learning (MicFoal), which includes a configurable supervised learner for the initialization of a network traffic classification model, an active learning method with a hybrid label request strategy, a label sliding window group, a sample training weight formula and an adaptive adjustment mechanism for the label cost budget based on a periodic performance evaluation. In addition, a novel uncertain label request strategy based on a variable least confidence threshold vector is designed to address the problems of a variable multiclass imbalance ratio or even the number of classes changing over time. Experiments performed based on eight well-known real-world network traffic datasets demonstrate that MicFoal is more effective and efficient than several state-of-the-art learning algorithms.