Data Center Network Mapping for Automated Alarm Consolidation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual mapping of device relationships in data centers is time-consuming, requires skilled operators, and does not automatically reflect changes, leading to unreliable and outdated information.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses computing devices to analyze operational data from multiple interrelated devices in a data center, such as power, temperature, and communication metrics, to automatically generate device mappings and consolidate alarms based on inferred relationships, using techniques like Bayesian networks and correlation coefficients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual mapping of device relationships is performed, then device mappings can be created, but the process is time-consuming and requires skilled operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of device mappingsVSAvoidtime spent on mapping

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical mapping processes with automated electronic data processing. Computing devices automatically collect operational data from monitored devices, process this data through algorithms, and generate device mappings without human intervention, thereby eliminating the time-consuming manual process while maintaining or improving accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables device mappings to be automatically generated and updated by the monitored devices themselves through self-reporting of operational data. The computing device processes this self-reported data to create and maintain device relationship mappings without requiring external manual input or skilled operators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual mapping is performed periodically, then device mappings are created, but the mappings do not automatically reflect changes and become outdated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of device mappingsVSAvoidfrequency of updates

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous automatic monitoring and updating of device mappings. Computing devices continuously collect operational data from monitored devices, process this data in real-time, and automatically update device relationship mappings as changes occur, ensuring mappings remain current without periodic manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from operational data collected from monitored devices to automatically detect changes in device relationships. When operational data indicates a change in device relationships, the computing device processes this feedback and automatically updates the device mappings to reflect current states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of information

If multiple alarms from interrelated devices are consolidated manually, then alarm consolidation can be achieved, but the process is complex and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of alarm consolidationVSAvoidcomplexity of consolidation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual alarm consolidation processes with automated electronic processing. Computing devices automatically collect alarm data from multiple monitored devices, process this data through algorithms that analyze device relationships, and generate consolidated alarms based on inferred relationships, thereby eliminating manual complexity and improving accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The computing device acts as an intermediary between multiple monitored devices and the alarm notification system. It collects alarm data from various devices, processes this data through relationship analysis, and generates consolidated alarm notifications that accurately reflect the interrelationships between devices without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11743104B2Systems and methods for automatically generating a data center network mapping for automated alarm consolidation

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORP

AI summary

According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a system for automatically generating a data-center network mapping for automated alarm consolidation is provided comprising a plurality of devices, and at least one computing device communicatively coupled to each of the devices, the at least one computing device being configured to receive operational data from each of the devices, the operational data being indicative of at least one of a power path, cooling or temperature zones, or communications paths, determine, based on the operational data, device relationships between each of the devices, receive, from each of the devices, a respective alarm of a plurality of alarms, determine alarm relationships between at least two of the plurality of alarms, consolidate, based on the determined device relationships and based on the determined alarm relationships, the plurality of alarms into a consolidated alert, and provide the consolidated alert to a user.