Automated Link Provisioning for Network Clusters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual provisioning of links between control bridges in information handling systems is time-consuming and prone to errors, especially when clustering a large number of devices, which hinders efficient network aggregation.
Innovation Solution
An information handling system with a networking device and an extending device that automatically provisions inter-networking device links by exchanging identity information and using a linking engine to configure connections, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual provisioning is used to establish links between control bridges, then the links can be established with high reliability through administrator control, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables control bridges to automatically provision links with each other through self-service mechanisms. The linking engine on each control bridge autonomously discovers neighboring control bridges via the port extender and initiates link provisioning without requiring administrator intervention, thereby eliminating manual configuration time while maintaining reliability through automated verification protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the physical connectivity through port extenders and pre-configuring the linking engine software on each control bridge. When control bridges are physically connected, the linking engines are already prepared to automatically exchange identity information and provision links, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual configuration during deployment
2Manufacturing precision
If manual provisioning is used for clustering control bridges, then configuration accuracy can be maintained, but the complexity of the provisioning process increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each control bridge's linking engine autonomously performs configuration tasks by automatically discovering neighboring control bridges through the port extender, exchanging identity information, and provisioning links. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex manual configuration procedures while maintaining configuration accuracy through automated verification and consistency checks
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having administrators manually configure each link, the system inverts the approach by having control bridges automatically configure themselves. The linking engines on control bridges actively discover and provision links with neighboring devices, reversing the traditional top-down manual provisioning model and significantly reducing process complexity
3Productivity
If automated link provisioning is implemented, then provisioning speed and efficiency are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated provisioning functionality is segmented into a separate linking engine component on each control bridge, rather than embedding complex provisioning logic throughout the entire system. This segmentation allows each control bridge to independently perform automated discovery and link provisioning through standardized interfaces, improving productivity while containing and modularizing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The port extender serves as an intermediary that facilitates automated link provisioning between control bridges. It enables the exchange of identity information and establishes the physical connectivity that triggers automated link provisioning, allowing control bridges to efficiently provision links with each other without requiring complex direct communication protocols between all pairs of devices
Data Source
AI summary
An inter-networking device link provisioning system includes an extending device. In response to a plurality of networking devices being connected to the extending device, the extending device provides each of the plurality of networking devices with an identity of the other of the plurality of networking devices that are connected to the extending device. When a first networking device and a second networking device are connected together and to the extending device, the first networking device receives a second device identity of the second networking device from the extending device and provisions an inter-networking device link with the second networking device, and the second networking device receives a first device identity of the first networking device from the extending device and provisions the inter-networking device link with the first networking device.