Dynamic VLAN Assignment for Network Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional VLAN assignment processes are limited to predefined static VLANs, failing to efficiently manage unknown or dynamically changing network devices, requiring manual intervention for new VLAN creation and policy application.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic VLAN configuration process that automatically identifies network-enabled devices, selects from a pool of dynamically assignable VLANs, and assigns them based on authentication and availability, using a provisioning system that maintains VLAN health through timers and refresh signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If predefined static VLANs are used for VLAN assignment, then network security and policy control are improved, but network flexibility and management efficiency deteriorate when new or unknown devices need to be assigned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic VLAN assignment where VLAN IDs are selected from an available pool based on device authentication and current network state, rather than using fixed predefined VLANs. The system continuously monitors VLAN availability and reassigns VLANs dynamically, allowing the network configuration to adapt to changing device requirements while maintaining security policies through centralized control.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual intervention is used for new VLAN creation and policy application, then VLAN assignment precision is improved, but administrative burden and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated VLAN assignment where the network infrastructure itself performs the VLAN selection and assignment process. When a device connects and authenticates, the system automatically checks the available VLAN pool, selects an appropriate VLAN, and assigns it without requiring manual administrator intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains precise VLAN assignment through automated policy enforcement while eliminating time-consuming manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the state of VLANs in the available pool and uses this information to make intelligent assignment decisions. The system receives feedback about which VLANs are currently available, unassigned, or in use, and uses this feedback to dynamically select appropriate VLANs for new devices, ensuring precise assignment while operating autonomously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a pool of dynamically assignable VLANs is implemented, then network flexibility and automation are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a VLAN pool manager as an intermediary component that handles the complexity of managing the dynamic VLAN pool. This intermediary abstracts the complex tasks of VLAN selection, availability checking, and assignment coordination from the rest of the system. By centralizing these complex operations in a dedicated manager, the system achieves high flexibility through dynamic VLAN assignment while containing and managing complexity in a localized, maintainable component.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and corresponding computer-implemented method perform virtual local area network (VLAN) assignment. The method identifies, automatically, whether a network-enabled device is associated with a previously assigned VLAN for a network. The network-enabled device has passed authentication. The authentication is responsive to a request sent from the network-enabled device to network equipment for access to the network. Based on a result of the identifying, the method automatically (i) selects a VLAN from a pool of dynamically assignable VLANs, (ii) associates the VLAN selected with the network-enabled device, and (iii) instructs the network equipment to assign the network-enabled device to the VLAN selected from the pool.