Edge Switch Configuration via Connection Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The allocation, provisioning, and maintenance of server-to-network connections in large data centers are inefficient and prone to errors due to the lack of coordination between network and server administrators, leading to potential network failures and misconfigurations.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses connection profiles stored in a connection inventory to automatically configure edge switches and manage network connections, allowing server administrators to subscribe to available connections without direct communication with network administrators, thereby streamlining the process and enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration of edge switches is performed through cooperation between network and server administrators, then network connections can be established, but the process becomes cumbersome, error-prone, and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables server administrators to autonomously subscribe to network connections and automatically configure edge switches using connection profiles, eliminating the need for manual coordination with network administrators. The automated configuration process reads connection profiles from a connection inventory and applies them to edge switches, ensuring consistency and reducing human error while simplifying the operational process.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection profiles are pre-configured and stored in a connection inventory before actual network connection establishment. These profiles contain all necessary configuration parameters for edge switches, allowing automated application when connections are subscribed, thereby eliminating the need for real-time manual configuration coordination between administrators.
2Productivity
If automated configuration based on connection profiles is implemented, then configuration efficiency and reliability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection profile serves as a universal template that can be applied to multiple edge switches and network connections. The connection inventory stores reusable profiles that encapsulate configuration parameters, allowing the same profile to be subscribed and applied across different contexts, thereby standardizing the automation process and reducing overall system complexity through reuse.
3Reliability
If connection profiles are stored in a connection inventory and automatically applied, then misconfigurations are reduced, but the initial setup and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manually configuring each edge switch individually, the system creates and stores template configurations (connection profiles) in a connection inventory. These profiles are then copied and applied to multiple edge switches through automated subscription, ensuring consistency across the network while reducing the risk of misconfigurations. The copying mechanism maintains reliability by ensuring identical, pre-validated configurations are applied uniformly.
Data Source
AI summary
Connection profiles are created and stored. The connection profiles are for connections for sources to connect to a network. The connection profiles identify network attributes for the connections and each connection profile includes a status of available or subscribed. A connection profile is assigned to a requested connection for a source. The network attributes for the assigned connection are sent to an edge switch for the source to configure the edge switch to accept traffic for the source.