Edge Switch Logging for Network User Node Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network infrastructure devices struggle to provide a comprehensive list of end nodes connected to a particular user, as each device's log only provides partial information, and existing log-combining software often fails to work across all vendors' devices, especially when updated firmware is involved, complicating the reconstruction of user connections through various network paths.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an edge switch with a logging module that explicitly logs user nodes and target nodes in a single location, using a target determination module to identify and record coupling and decoupling signals, and a logging module to store this information with date/time stamps, allowing for the consolidation of logs from multiple devices into a single comprehensive record.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If logs from multiple network devices are combined using existing software, then comprehensive connection information can be obtained, but the system complexity increases and reliability decreases due to vendor-specific compatibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates logging functionality into a single centralized log on one network device, eliminating the need to combine logs from multiple devices. This single log captures all coupling and decoupling events across different network paths, ensuring comprehensive connection information without the reliability issues of multi-device log aggregation
Solution Approach 2:
The logging module is designed to universally handle coupling events from multiple vendors' network devices through a standardized interface. The system can process coupling signals from various device types and firmware versions without requiring vendor-specific combining software, making the solution universally applicable across heterogeneous network infrastructure
2Loss of information
If logs from multiple network devices are combined, then comprehensive connection information can be obtained, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the logging function into a single centralized location rather than distributing logs across multiple devices. This eliminates the complex process of retrieving, correlating, and merging logs from numerous network devices, simplifying both the system architecture and operational procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the logging function from individual network devices and concentrates it in a single dedicated logging location. This separation allows the logging mechanism to be optimized independently and eliminates the complexity of coordinating log collection across multiple device boundaries
3Measurement precision
If detailed coupling information is logged for all network paths, then accurate user connection tracking is achieved, but the log size and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and logs only the essential coupling and decoupling event information needed for user connection tracking, rather than recording all possible network traffic details. This selective logging approach maintains accurate user connection records while minimizing unnecessary log data accumulation
Data Source
AI summary
An Edge switch. The edge switch includes a first module configured to receive multiple coupling signals from at least one user node. a second module, and a log. For each coupling signal, the coupling signal indicates coupling one of the at least one user nodes to one of at least one target nodes via one of at least one proxy servers, the first module is configured to determine an identity of the one of the at least one user nodes and an identity of the one of the at least one target nodes from the coupling signal, and the second module is configured to record the identity of the one of the at least one user nodes, the identity of the one of the at least one target nodes, and date and time at which the coupling signal was processed by the edge switch in an entry in the log.