Auto-Discovery of Daisy-Chain Topology via Control Token
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Solution Overview
Problem
The configuration and management of daisy-chain systems, which involve hundreds of interconnected devices like IP telephones and Ethernet switches, are cumbersome and complex due to the manual alteration of configuration information stored in each device's storage, lacking efficient auto-discovery and auto-enumeration capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method and device with control logic for auto-discovery and auto-enumeration in daisy-chain systems, where each device identifies its ports as internal or boundary, discovers connected devices, and enumerates them, allowing for dynamic topology detection and management using a control token-based approach to treat the system as a single virtual device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual configuration and management methods are used for each device in a daisy-chain system, then configuration information can be stored and altered in each device's storage, but the process becomes burdensome and complex when the system includes hundreds of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual device management operations into a single unified management interface. By treating the entire daisy-chain system as one logical device, administrators can configure and manage hundreds of devices through a single point of control, eliminating the need to manually access each device individually. This combining approach directly resolves the contradiction by simplifying operations while handling complex multi-device systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal management interface that can handle configuration and management tasks across diverse device types in the daisy-chain system. The single management point provides multi-functional capabilities including configuration, monitoring, and control of various devices (IP telephones, Ethernet switches, etc.), making the system easy to operate regardless of the number or type of devices involved.
2Loss of time
If configuration information is stored in each device's local storage with manual modifications, then each device maintains its configuration independently, but configuration and management activities become cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing a centralized management interface before configuration tasks are performed. This pre-configured management point enables administrators to efficiently manage all devices in the daisy-chain system without needing to physically access or manually configure each device individually, significantly reducing the time required for configuration and management activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary management interface that mediates between the administrator and the numerous devices in the daisy-chain system. This intermediary layer handles configuration tasks centrally, translating high-level management commands into device-specific configurations, thereby dramatically reducing the time and effort required for system configuration and management.
3Extent of automation
If each device in a daisy-chain system is managed individually, then device independence is maintained, but the system lacks efficient auto-discovery and auto-enumeration capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the management system to automatically discover and enumerate devices in the daisy-chain system without human intervention. The system automatically detects device presence, identifies device types, and builds a complete system topology map, eliminating the need for manual device registration or configuration. This automation directly addresses the contradiction by providing efficient auto-discovery capabilities while managing system complexity through intelligent algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods are disclosed for detection and management of daisy-chain system topologies. A method is disclosed for auto-discovery and auto-enumeration. The method may be performed in a daisy-chain system of serially inter-connected devices. The method may include identifying each port of each device in a system of serially inter-connected devices, discovering each device in the system, and enumerating each device in the system.