Automated Diagnostic Port Discovery in Distributed Chassis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network diagnostic systems face challenges in efficiently discovering and managing diagnostic port functionality in distributed systems, particularly due to the complexity and scalability issues arising from network expansions and reconfigurations, which require frequent reconfiguration of testing functionality across multiple sub-nets and can be time-consuming and difficult to manage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows a computer system to discover and manage network diagnostic modules across multiple chassis by requesting and receiving network addresses, resource data, and configuring programmable logic modules to implement various diagnostic functions, such as network analyzers, jammers, and bit error rate testers, through a user interface that organizes and presents available ports and their configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network diagnostic systems manually discover and configure diagnostic ports across distributed chassis, then diagnostic functionality can be implemented, but the process becomes time-consuming and difficult to manage as network size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-discovery where the network automatically identifies available diagnostic ports across distributed chassis without manual intervention. The computer system autonomously queries chassis for network addresses, retrieves resource data, and discovers diagnostic capabilities, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing diagnostic time while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary discovery actions by automatically identifying and cataloging available diagnostic ports and their capabilities before actual network diagnostics are needed. This pre-discovery process stores resource data about chassis and ports, so when diagnostics are required, the system can quickly select from pre-identified options rather than manually searching
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system supports multiple physical configurations and network protocols, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal discovery mechanism that works across multiple network protocols and physical configurations through a single standardized interface. The computer system uses a unified approach to query chassis, retrieve resource data, and discover diagnostic ports regardless of the underlying network protocol (Fibre Channel, Ethernet, SONET, etc.), allowing one system to serve multiple functions without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary discovery layer between the user and the diverse network configurations. This intermediary automatically handles the complexity of different protocols and physical setups by translating various network configurations into a unified resource model, shielding users from complexity while maintaining versatility
3Productivity
If diagnostic tools are distributed across multiple chassis and sub-nets, then coverage is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the discovery and management of diagnostic tools across multiple distributed chassis into a single unified view. The computer system consolidates resource data from various chassis and sub-nets, presenting a combined inventory of available diagnostic ports that can be managed from one location, improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the discovery process into manageable components (querying chassis, retrieving resource data, identifying diagnostic ports) that can operate independently across distributed sub-nets, yet are coordinated through a central computer system. This segmentation allows the system to handle large distributed networks systematically without overwhelming the operator
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides for discovering diagnostic port functionality in a distributed system. A computer system requests network addresses for one or more chassis. A chassis receives the request for a network address and returns a corresponding network address at least for the chassis. The computer system receives one or more network addresses corresponding to the one or more chassis. The computer system requests resource data from each of the one or more corresponding network addresses. The chassis receives the request for resource data and returns resource data representing at least the current configuration of the chassis to the requesting computer system. The computer system receives resource data representing the configuration of the one or more chassis. The computer system presents the received resource data at the requesting computer system.