Distributed Ledger for Network Management Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing large-scale networks becomes complex due to issues like excessive polling of managed devices by multiple NMS units, leading to high CPU and memory utilization, conflicts, and defects, making it difficult to maintain and support new services efficiently.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a distributed ledger system where multiple NMS units maintain a shared ledger to record and share networking information, reducing redundant operations and conflicts by creating and replicating datablocks that include networking information and actions performed, ensuring data integrity and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple NMS units poll managed devices to manage large-scale networks, then network management capability is improved, but CPU and memory utilization increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple NMS units are merged into a single distributed ledger system where all units share a common data structure. Instead of each NMS unit independently polling managed devices, they collectively maintain and update a shared ledger through coordinated operations, reducing redundant polling and resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed ledger serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a database for networking information, a communication channel between NMS units, a configuration management system, and an audit trail. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate systems for each task, reducing overall resource utilization.
2Loss of information
If multiple NMS units poll managed devices frequently to maintain network information, then information freshness is improved, but conflicts and defects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed ledger pre-establishes a standardized data structure and communication protocol before NMS units begin operations. This preliminary framework prevents conflicts by defining how information is structured, validated, and propagated, eliminating the need for frequent conflict resolution during operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where NMS units verify ledger updates and propagate changes systematically. This feedback loop ensures information consistency across the network, maintaining freshness while preventing defects through automated validation and error correction.
3Device complexity
If a centralized NMS system is used to manage network information, then system simplicity is improved, but scalability and redundancy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized NMS system is segmented into multiple distributed NMS units that each maintain a copy of the distributed ledger. This segmentation enables scalability as new units can be added without affecting existing operations, while the shared ledger structure maintains simplicity through standardized data organization and access protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples include systems and methods for managing a network for example, an enterprise network using a distributed ledger. Some examples include maintaining a distributed ledger by a plurality of NMS units in the network. Use of such distributed ledger may allow communication among NMS units of the plurality of NMS units deployed in the network through the distributed ledger.