Dynamic YANG Module Injection for Firmware-Free Telemetry Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network devices require firmware upgrades to modify built-in YANG views, leading to delays in adding or modifying telemetry data configurations, which hinders network administrators' ability to customize data aggregation and hierarchy for monitoring needs.
Innovation Solution
Dynamically inject customized YANG modules into network devices without firmware updates, allowing administrators to create and manage customized YANG views during runtime, which can be validated and activated by the YANG server without recompiling or restarting the server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If firmware upgrade is performed to modify built-in YANG views, then YANG view customization capability is improved, but device complexity and update time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic loading of YANG modules at runtime without requiring firmware updates. The system allows YANG modules to be loaded, unloaded, and activated dynamically through a module loading mechanism that operates independently of the firmware image, enabling flexible customization while maintaining system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the YANG module system into independent, loadable modules that can be managed separately from the core firmware. Each YANG module is packaged as a separate entity that can be individually loaded into the data store and activated, allowing customization without modifying the entire firmware image.
2Adaptability or versatility
If firmware upgrade is performed to add new YANG modules, then telemetry data aggregation capability is improved, but productivity and deployment time decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares YANG modules in advance as packaged files containing the module source and compiled binary. These pre-packaged modules can be rapidly deployed by simply copying them to the device's data store and activating them, eliminating the need for time-consuming firmware compilation and flashing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic activation of YANG modules at runtime through a module loading mechanism. Administrators can load new telemetry modules immediately and have them become active without device reboot, allowing rapid deployment and immediate utilization of new monitoring features.
3Ease of operation
If YANG modules are dynamically loaded, then ease of operation is improved, but system stability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data store as an intermediary layer between the YANG modules and the telemetry system. Modules are loaded into this intermediate storage area and validated before activation, providing a buffer that isolates potential errors from the core running system and maintains stability during dynamic module operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements validation and error handling mechanisms that provide feedback during module loading and activation. The YANG server validates module syntax and semantics before activation, and the system monitors module status to ensure proper operation, maintaining system reliability through continuous verification.
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect describes a method, a computer system, and a computer-readable medium that facilitate the injection of customized YANG views to a network device. A network device runs a Yet Another Next Generation (YANG) server to provide telemetry data associated with the network device, the telemetry data defined by a YANG model. In response to receiving, from a remote client, a customized YANG view file, the YANG server determines whether the customized YANG view file contains an error. In response to determining that the customized YANG view file does not contain an error, the YANG server activates the customized YANG view file without upgrading the network device's firmware and rebooting the network device. The YANG server receives a query from the remote client specifying the customized YANG view file, gathers telemetry data based on the customized YANG view file, and returns the gathered telemetry data to the remote client.