Automated Private Virtual Network Creation via Configuration Duplication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customers face significant challenges in migrating their existing networks and computing resources to network-based computing services due to the high manual technical effort required to configure services and duplicate functionality, which is costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented mechanism for automated creation of private virtual networks in a service provider network, utilizing a network discovery module to collect and modify network configuration data, and create a deployment template for instantiating a private virtual network that duplicates the customer's network configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration methods are used to migrate customer networks to service provider networks, then functionality can be duplicated, but the process becomes costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by automatically replicating customer network configurations, topology, and resources into the service provider network. Instead of manual recreation, the system captures the source network state and generates equivalent virtual network resources, significantly reducing migration time while maintaining functionality integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing network discovery and configuration capture before the actual migration process. The system pre-analyzes the customer network topology, identifies all resources and relationships, and prepares migration templates in advance, enabling faster execution of the migration itself
2Reliability
If manual configuration methods are used to migrate customer networks to service provider networks, then functionality can be duplicated, but the process becomes costly
Solution Approach 1:
The copying principle reduces costs by eliminating manual configuration labor. The automated system captures network configurations and reproduces them programmatically, replacing expensive manual technician work with automated software processes that can be executed with minimal human intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by enabling customers to perform their own network migration using automated tools provided by the service provider. The system allows customers to capture their own network configurations and migrate them without requiring extensive professional services, thereby reducing migration costs
3Productivity
If automated network creation is implemented, then migration time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing an automated migration service layer between the customer network and the service provider network. This intermediary system handles the complex tasks of network discovery, configuration capture, and resource provisioning, shielding customers from complexity while enabling fast automated migration
4Manufacturing precision
If comprehensive network configuration capture is performed, then migration accuracy is improved, but data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction by selectively capturing only the essential network configuration elements needed for migration, such as topology relationships, resource specifications, and connectivity information. The system filters out redundant data and focuses on extracting the critical configuration parameters required to recreate network functionality accurately
Data Source
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AI summary
Data may be collected regarding the configuration of a network, such as a customer network operated by a customer of a service provider operating a service provider network. An appropriate interface, such as a user interface, may be provided to allow a user to add, delete, or otherwise modify the collected network configuration data. The collected, and possibly modified, network configuration data may then be utilized to create a private virtual network in the service provider network. The private virtual network may be implemented such that it has the same, or similar, network configuration as the customer network.