Drag and Drop Software Upgrade Mechanism for Network Devices

The system automatically detects network topology, selects appropriate file transfer protocols, and configures upgrade parameters without requiring manual user input. The NMS application performs self-service by autonomously gathering device information, determining optimal protocols (TFTP, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP), and executing the upgrade process, thereby eliminating manual dialog operations while maintaining protocol flexibility.

The patent introduces an intermediary automated upgrade mechanism that mediates between the user and the complex protocol configuration process. This intermediary layer automatically handles protocol selection, parameter configuration, and file transfer management, shielding users from complexity while preserving adaptability to different protocols through intelligent mediation.

The patent extracts the complex protocol configuration and selection logic from the user interface, separating it into automated backend processes. The simplified GUI presents only essential upgrade operations, while the extracted complex functionalities (protocol detection, parameter configuration, file path management) are handled automatically by the system, reducing interface complexity while maintaining protocol support capability.

The NMS application performs self-service by automatically detecting supported protocols, selecting the optimal protocol for the upgrade operation, and configuring all necessary parameters without user intervention. This self-service capability maintains comprehensive protocol support while eliminating the need for complex user-facing configuration interfaces.

The system performs preliminary automatic detection of network topology, device IP addresses, and available upgrade files before the actual upgrade process. By gathering and validating all necessary configuration information in advance automatically, the system ensures precise control over the upgrade process while eliminating the time-consuming manual input phase, as all critical parameters are pre-determined through automated discovery.

The NMS application autonomously performs self-service by automatically discovering device IP addresses, selecting appropriate file paths, and configuring upgrade parameters without requiring manual user input. This self-service mechanism maintains precise control over the upgrade process through automated information gathering and validation, while significantly reducing the time consumption associated with manual data entry and configuration.