Automated Configuration Replication for Multi-Site Network Consistency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional network system management techniques face challenges in achieving automated end-to-end configuration, deployment, and life cycle administration of complex converged and hyperconverged data center solutions, particularly due to time-consuming and error-prone manual efforts in defining network configuration parameters across multiple sites.

Innovation Solution

The method involves automatically replicating configuration parameters from securely identified connected systems by discovering and authenticating systems using cryptographic data, establishing a secure communication session via APIs, and performing automated actions based on replicated parameters, thereby eliminating the need for manual input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual efforts are used to define network configuration parameters, then configuration accuracy can be maintained through human review, but time consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent automatically copies configuration parameters from a source system to a target system through system-to-system replication. The configuration data is extracted from the source system, transmitted securely, and applied to the target system, eliminating manual copying while maintaining accuracy through automated validation processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-configuration by automatically discovering, authenticating, and replicating configuration parameters without human intervention. The automated system validates and applies configurations itself, replacing manual human review and configuration tasks with autonomous system operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual configuration efforts are used across multiple sites, then error detection can be performed by operators, but error rate increases due to human fatigue and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror detection capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration error rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated validation and verification processes that provide feedback loops for configuration replication. The system validates configuration parameters before replication, monitors the replication process, and verifies successful application at the target system, automatically detecting and correcting errors without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual human operations with automated computational processes for configuration management. Automated scripts and algorithms perform configuration extraction, validation, transmission, and application, eliminating human fatigue and errors associated with manual multi-site configuration tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If automated system discovery and authentication is implemented, then security is improved through cryptographic verification, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an automated discovery and authentication intermediary layer that mediates between systems. This intermediary handles cryptographic verification, system identification, and secure connection establishment, centralizing security complexity in a dedicated component rather than distributing it across all configuration processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal authentication mechanism that handles multiple security functions through a single cryptographic framework. The same authentication infrastructure supports system discovery, identity verification, and secure configuration replication, reducing overall system complexity through multi-functional security protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If automated configuration replication is implemented, then productivity increases through faster deployment, but ease of operation decreases due to reduced manual control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidmanual control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by automatically discovering systems, authenticating connections, and validating configurations before replication. This preliminary automated preparation enables rapid deployment while maintaining operational simplicity, as the system handles complex pre-replication tasks autonomously before executing the actual configuration copy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11489727B2Automatically replicating configuration parameters from securely identified connected systems
Publication Date: 2022.11.01 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC
  • US11489727B2 patent drawing
  • US11489727B2 patent drawing
  • US11489727B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, and processor-readable storage media for automatically replicating configuration parameters from securely identified connected systems are provided herein. An example computer-implemented method includes discovering a set of one or more systems connected via at least one network; identifying at least one of the one or more systems of the discovered set by processing cryptographic data associated with at least a portion of the one or more systems; establishing a communication session with the at least one identified system by securing at least one application programming interface; replicating one or more configuration parameters from at least a portion of the at least one identified system in connection with the established communication session; and performing one or more automated actions based at least in part on the one or more replicated configuration parameters.