Cross-Domain Network Topology Discovery for Overlapping IPs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Fault Management Systems (FMSs) struggle to create a unified network topology across distributed networks with overlapping IP addresses, leading to isolated monitoring and impaired fault detection, network troubleshooting, and unapproved access detection.
Innovation Solution
A system that queries multiple devices across network domains to discover equipment and establish a unified network topology by identifying connections between pieces of equipment, using circuits to detect and update records, generate graphs, and monitor communication to detect faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple FMSs monitor separate network domains, then each FMS can independently monitor its domain, but a unified topology cannot be established and fault detection is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple isolated FMSs into a unified topology by having FMSs query each other across network domains. The discovery protocol allows FMSs to collect topology information from multiple domains and integrate it into a single unified view, enabling comprehensive fault detection across the entire distributed network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a discovery protocol as an intermediary mechanism that enables FMSs to query and exchange topology information across network domains. This intermediary protocol allows FMSs to overcome domain boundaries and establish connections between otherwise isolated monitoring systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If FMSs query multiple devices across network domains, then a unified topology can be established, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal discovery protocol that can operate across different network domains and protocols. The FMS is designed with multi-functionality to query various devices and integrate information from diverse network segments, allowing a single FMS to manage complex distributed topologies without requiring domain-specific specialized systems.
3Quantity of substance
If FMSs monitor network domains with overlapping IP addresses, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but IP address overlap causes monitoring failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network monitoring function by having each FMS monitor its local domain while using unique identifiers (such as FMS IDs or domain-specific tags) to distinguish between devices with overlapping IP addresses across different domains. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage while preventing IP address conflicts from causing monitoring failures.
Data Source
AI summary
A device to detect a first piece of equipment of a plurality of pieces of equipment, identify a first node of a plurality of nodes that represents the first piece of equipment of the plurality of pieces of equipment, receive an identification of the first piece of equipment of the plurality of pieces of equipment, update a record to include the identification of the first piece of equipment of the plurality of pieces of equipment and an indication that the first node of the plurality of nodes represents the first piece of equipment of the plurality of pieces of equipment, determine that a second piece of equipment of the plurality of pieces of equipment is absent from a first section of the plurality of sections, and query one or more devices of a plurality of devices to identify the second piece of equipment of the plurality of pieces of equipment.