Dynamic Span Session Configuration for Network Topology Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network management systems struggle to dynamically monitor and manage network topology changes, leading to inefficiencies in setting up and maintaining span sessions, as they fail to track users and hosts as they migrate within the network and do not fully integrate with every network device, resulting in suboptimal configuration and unreliable traffic monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically monitors the network, detects changes, and initiates span sessions by allocating VLANs, retrieving source and destination information, and modifying network configuration using VLAN trunking protocols to ensure continuous monitoring and tracking of users and hosts, enabling local or remote SPAN sessions and tunneling as necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If span sessions are configured manually with static settings, then initial network monitoring can be established, but the monitoring becomes non-functional when network topology changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic span session configuration that automatically adapts to network topology changes. The system continuously monitors network state and dynamically modifies span session parameters (source, destination, VLAN assignments) in response to detected changes, transforming the static configuration into a dynamic, self-adjusting system that maintains reliability during topology transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring network topology and using this information to automatically adjust span session configurations. When topology changes are detected, the system receives feedback about the new network state and responds by reconfiguring span sessions accordingly, ensuring continuous functionality without manual intervention.
2Measurement precision
If network administrators manually reconfigure span sessions after topology changes, then monitoring accuracy is maintained, but significant time and administrative resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service capabilities by automatically detecting network topology changes and reconfiguring span sessions without administrator intervention. The automated system monitors its own operational environment, identifies configuration needs, and executes reconfiguration actions, eliminating the time loss associated with manual reconfiguration while maintaining monitoring accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively monitoring network topology for changes before they impact span session functionality. By detecting topology changes early and automatically initiating reconfiguration procedures, the system prevents monitoring failures rather than reacting to them, thereby maintaining continuous accuracy without administrative delay.
3Reliability
If dedicated VLANs are created for span sessions, then traffic isolation and monitoring are improved, but network configuration complexity increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal span session management system that handles multiple span session configurations across different VLANs through a single integrated interface. The system can dynamically create, modify, and manage span sessions across multiple VLANs without requiring separate configuration procedures for each, thereby reducing overall configuration complexity while maintaining traffic isolation benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary management layer that abstracts the complexity of VLAN and span session configuration from network administrators. This intermediary automatically handles the complex tasks of VLAN creation, span session setup, and configuration synchronization across network devices, reducing the perceived complexity for users while maintaining reliable traffic isolation.
4Productivity
If network devices are reconfigured without understanding original configuration reasons, then quick adaptation to changes is achieved, but optimum configuration is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms that preserve and reference original configuration rationale during reconfiguration processes. When topology changes occur, the system retrieves information about the original configuration intent and uses this feedback to guide automated reconfiguration decisions, ensuring that optimization goals are maintained while achieving rapid adaptation to new network conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for providing dynamic network data traffic monitoring including monitoring a data network, detecting a change in the data network, initiating a span session based on the detected change in the data network, and dynamically modifying network configuration based on the detected change in the data network is disclosed.