Dynamic Buffer Profile Assignment for Network Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network devices statically assign buffer profiles to interface components, leading to time-consuming and manual configuration processes, limited flexibility, and automation challenges when ports become nonfunctional or when adding new devices, requiring re-provisioning of buffer profiles.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic buffer profile assignment model where a network device maintains a buffer profile table and a peer network device identifier table to dynamically assign buffer profiles based on peer network device data, allowing for flexible buffer configuration and automation of buffer management across communication links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a network device statically assigns buffer profiles to interface components, then buffer configuration is simple and stable, but configuration is time-consuming and manual re-provisioning is required when adding new devices or replacing ports
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing network devices to automatically discover peer devices and dynamically assign appropriate buffer profiles without manual administrator intervention. The buffer management component automatically provisions buffer configurations when new devices are added or ports are replaced, eliminating the need for manual re-provisioning and reducing configuration time while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from static buffer profile assignment tied to specific interface components to a dynamic model where buffer profiles are assigned based on peer device characteristics and communication link requirements. The system can adapt buffer configurations in real-time as network topology changes, allowing flexible reassignment without manual re-provisioning.
2Extent of automation
If buffer profiles are statically assigned to specific interface components, then configuration is stable, but automation is limited and port replacement creates challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer management component implements self-service by automatically discovering peer devices, determining appropriate buffer profiles based on device characteristics, and provisioning buffer configurations without manual administrator intervention. This automation handles port replacements and new device additions dynamically, reducing operational complexity despite the sophisticated underlying mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves universality by creating a reusable buffer profile assignment mechanism that works across different interface components, peer device types, and network scenarios. The same automated process handles various situations including port replacements, new device additions, and different peer device characteristics, eliminating the need for device-specific configuration procedures.
3Productivity
If different ports are configured with different buffer profiles, then buffer allocation is optimized for each port role, but manual configuration effort increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual configuration effort by implementing self-service automation where the buffer management component automatically determines appropriate buffer profiles based on peer device characteristics and link requirements. New devices can be deployed immediately upon connection without waiting for manual configuration, significantly improving network deployment efficiency while maintaining optimized buffer allocation for different port roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining buffer profile templates and criteria that the buffer management component uses to automatically assign appropriate profiles. Rather than configuring each port manually during deployment, the system has buffer profiles ready in advance and automatically matches them to interface components based on discovered peer device characteristics, accelerating deployment while maintaining optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device including a first data structure storing a set of buffer profile types. Each buffer profile type is associated with one or more configuration parameters. The network device further includes a second data structure storing a set of peer device identifiers, wherein each peer device identifier of the set of peer device identifiers is associated with a buffer profile type. The network device includes a buffer management application to receive first data associated with a first peer network device coupled via a first link to an interface component of the network device, determine the first data matches a first peer device identifier stored in the second data structure, and assign a first buffer profile type to the interface component of the network device, wherein the first buffer profile type is associated with the first peer device identifier in the second data structure.