Context

This issue is a follow-up to https://github.com/open-telemetry/semantic-conventions/pull/89/files#r1299769832. We need to take the opportunity of the attribute renaming required for #51 and choose names that inspire full confidence. The goal is to open a discussion and reach consensus on attribute names that minimize the risk of future changes.

All Network Metrics Attributes (Old Name / Current Name):

• device -> system.device
• direction -> system.network.direction
• protocol -> network.protocol
• state -> system.network.state

We should revisit each of these attributes within the scope of this issue. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please comment. The following are the main concerns we should address:

protocol / network.protocol

We picked network.protocol because it's generic and can be applicable to other metrics. It's listed in https://github.com/open-telemetry/semantic-conventions/blob/main/docs/general/attributes.md#network-attributes. We should rename it to network.protocol.name then.

state / system.network.state

While it currently sounds like a state of the network, in the OTel collector host metrics receiver, it represents connection status (e.g., "CLOSED," "LISTEN," ESTABLISHED," etc.). I think we should rename it to network.connection.status and add it to https://github.com/open-telemetry/semantic-conventions/blob/main/docs/general/attributes.md#network-attributes.

Sub-issues (added by @mx-psi):

• Rename device to system.device
  • Added network.interface.name
• Rename direction to system.network.direction
  • Renamed to network.io.direction with values transmit/receive
• Rename protocol to network.protocol or network.protocol.name
  • Renamed to network.protocol.name
• Rename state to system.network.state
  • PR is open to fix this: Replace system.network.state with network.connection.state #1632
• Rename system.cpu.logical_number to host.cpu.logical_number
  • Closed by Revisit system cpu attributes #325 (comment)