Disaster Recovery Orchestration Platform for Enterprise Network Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disaster recovery products face challenges in accurately determining network configuration settings prior to a disaster, leading to delays and errors in recovering enterprise computer networks, as they require manual configuration and have limited reusability.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a disaster recovery orchestration platform to build a virtual recovered enterprise network in a virtual computing environment based on predetermined network configuration information, allowing for automated configuration and quick recovery through a single-click option, using a template that includes network topology details stored during installation, maintenance, and backup processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration of network settings is performed during disaster recovery, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but recovery time increases and error probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically discovering and capturing network configuration settings during normal operation before a disaster occurs. The configuration capture module stores topology information, device settings, and network parameters in advance, so that when disaster recovery is needed, these pre-captured settings can be immediately restored without manual reconfiguration, thus reducing recovery time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated configuration capture and restoration. The configuration capture module automatically discovers network devices and captures their settings without human intervention. During recovery, the system self-restores configurations by comparing current state with captured baseline, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing both time and human error.
2Productivity
If network configuration settings are determined prior to disaster, then recovery speed is improved, but configuration accuracy may be compromised as settings may not reflect current state
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the configuration restoration module continuously monitors and compares the current network state against the captured configuration baseline. This feedback loop ensures that pre-captured settings remain accurate by detecting any drift or changes, and triggers updates when discrepancies are found, maintaining both recovery speed and configuration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adopts a dynamic approach where configuration settings are not static but can be updated. The configuration capture module periodically re-discoveries network devices and updates the captured settings to reflect current state, while the restoration module uses version control to manage configuration evolution. This dynamic updating ensures pre-captured settings remain accurate over time.
3Ease of operation
If automated configuration capture is implemented, then manual effort is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary configuration capture module that acts as a mediator between the complex network infrastructure and the simple restoration process. This module handles the complexity of automated device discovery, configuration parsing, and baseline storage, while presenting a simple interface to users who only need to initiate recovery with a single click, thus reducing operational complexity despite increased system capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method facilitating business continuity of an enterprise computer network includes receiving an initiate network recovery message at a disaster recovery orchestration platform identifying an enterprise computer network to be recovered. Predetermined network configuration information associated with the enterprise computer network is retrieved from a storage device accessible to the disaster recovery orchestration platform. A virtual recovered enterprise network is built in a virtual computing environment based at least in part on the predetermined network configuration information. A system to facilitate business continuity of an enterprise computer network is also provided. The system includes a disaster recovery orchestration platform, a storage device, and at least one communication interface. The disaster recovery orchestration platform including at least one platform computing device. Each platform computing device including at least one processor and associated memory.