Downloadable Network Tests Without Firmware Updates or Reboots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network devices require firmware updates or reboots to perform network tests, leading to administrative overhead and network downtime.
Innovation Solution
A network device simulates a network instance using downloadable software packages stored in volatile memory, allowing performance monitoring and testing without updating firmware or rebooting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If firmware updates or reboots are performed to enable network testing, then network testing capability is improved, but network downtime and administrative overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network testing functionality from the core firmware by implementing it as a separate software package that can be downloaded and executed independently. This allows the testing capability to be added without modifying or rebooting the main firmware, thereby eliminating network downtime while maintaining testing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary software package that acts as a bridge between the network device and the testing functionality. This package contains the necessary instructions to simulate network instances and perform tests without requiring changes to the core firmware, thus avoiding reboots and network interruptions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If firmware updates are performed to add network testing functionality, then network testing capability is improved, but administrative overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables network devices to self-provision testing capabilities by automatically downloading and executing software packages from a repository. This eliminates the need for manual firmware updates and complex administrative configurations, significantly reducing administrative overhead while maintaining enhanced testing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal software package format that can be applied across different network device types and firmware versions. This standardized approach allows the same testing package to be deployed widely without requiring device-specific firmware modifications, reducing administrative complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If volatile memory is used to store software packages, then network testing can be performed without firmware updates, but memory availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic memory management system where software packages are loaded into volatile memory only when needed for testing operations. The memory allocation is flexible and adjustable based on the specific testing requirements, allowing the system to optimize between memory availability and testing capability as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a strategy where software packages are temporarily stored in volatile memory during execution and then discarded or recovered after use. This temporary occupation of memory space allows testing functionality to be added without permanent reduction of available memory, as the packages can be cleared or reused after completing their testing function.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for sending downloadable software packages that may be executed to perform tests of a network device without requiring the network device to update firmware. In one example, the network device obtains a software package comprising instructions for simulating a network instance and stores the software package in a volatile memory of the network device. The network device simulates, based on the instructions, the network instance to obtain data indicative of a performance of the network instance. The network device sends, via a communication channel established with a network management system (NMS) based on the software package, the data indicative of the performance of the network instance. In some examples, the NMS uses the data indicative of the performance of the network instance to identify a root cause of a failure of the network device or a remedial action to be performed upon the network device.