Bluetooth Low Energy VSF Stack Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring a network stack is a complex task that requires physical setup and provisioning of network devices, often requiring technical knowledge that not all technicians possess, especially when dealing with multiple devices across different locations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a mobile device with BLUETOOTH low energy (BLE) technology to facilitate the configuration of network devices into a Virtual Switching Framework (VSF) stack, leveraging custom BLE services for device identification, LLDP, and VSF stacking, allowing for wireless setup and management of network topologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional physical setup and provisioning methods are used for network devices, then the network stack can be configured, but the process becomes complex and requires specialized technical knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the user and the network devices. The mobile device communicates with network devices via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to retrieve and configure stack membership information, acting as a mediator that simplifies the configuration process for users without specialized networking knowledge while maintaining proper stack setup
2Reliability
If physical setup and provisioning is required for each network device, then proper configuration can be achieved, but the process requires technical expertise that not all technicians possess
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service configuration where the mobile device automatically retrieves stack membership information from network devices via BLE communications. The process allows non-expert users to configure network stacks without requiring specialized knowledge, as the system guides the configuration automatically through the mobile application interface
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves as an intermediary that handles the complex retrieval and interpretation of stack membership information from multiple network devices. It processes the technical details of VSF stack configuration, LLDP communications, and stack member identification, presenting a simplified interface to the user while ensuring configuration accuracy
3Productivity
If multiple network devices are configured manually across different locations, then each device can be properly provisioned, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual physical configuration methods with wireless Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communications. Instead of requiring technicians to physically connect and configure each network device through wired interfaces, the system uses wireless BLE messages to retrieve and configure stack membership information, significantly reducing setup time and eliminating the need for physical presence at each device location
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclosed herein relate to a method comprising transmitting a first BLUETOOTH communication to a mobile device. The method may include transmitting a second BLUETOOTH communication including a first custom advertisement, a first custom service including a local port for establishing a VSF connection in the network topology including the master network switch, a neighbor port of another switch in the network topology and a MAC address of the another switch and a second custom service including a VSF link interface and a VSF member ID. The method may include receiving a first configuration of the master network switch and creating a second configuration for the network topology using the BLUETOOTH communication from the network switch and the first configuration of the master network switch. The method may also include transmitting the second configuration and establishing a VSF link between the master network switch and the member network switch.