Automated E-LAN Port Configuration via VLAN Tag Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual configuration of endpoint network devices in data transport networks is time-consuming and error-prone, especially as networks grow in size, failing to meet demands for timely responses to client requirements and quality of service, particularly in cloud-scale applications.
Innovation Solution
An automatic network-wide service configuration system that uses a controller to determine a scalable configuration model with predetermined rules for configuring physical ports of network devices in Ethernet Local Area Networks (E-LANs), allowing for automated configuration based on user inputs regarding VLAN tag preservation, thereby streamlining the process and enhancing network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration of endpoint network devices is used, then configuration accuracy can be maintained through human review, but the process becomes time-consuming and cannot meet demands for timely responses to client requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the network configuration system automatically generates and applies configuration settings to endpoint devices without requiring manual human intervention. The automation engine parses service definitions, determines required configurations, and pushes settings to network devices autonomously, eliminating the time-consuming manual configuration process while maintaining accuracy through systematic rule-based operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining service configurations and policies in a centralized database before actual network deployment. Service definitions, VLAN settings, QoS parameters, and other configuration templates are prepared in advance, allowing the automation engine to quickly instantiate configurations when services are deployed, significantly reducing on-demand configuration time while ensuring consistency and accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration processes are used, then complex configuration scenarios can be handled with human expertise, but error rates increase and quality of service deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the automation engine continuously monitors configuration status, verifies applied settings, and reports back to the centralized controller. Configuration acknowledgments, status checks, and error reports flow back through the system, enabling automatic detection and correction of configuration errors, thereby reducing error rates while maintaining the ability to handle complex scenarios through iterative verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized network automation system acts as an intermediary between service definitions and endpoint network devices. It translates high-level service requirements into device-specific configuration commands, managing the complexity of diverse network devices through a unified interface. This intermediary layer eliminates manual configuration errors by systematically processing configurations through validated templates and automated workflows.
3Productivity
If automated configuration systems are implemented, then configuration speed and consistency improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal, multi-functional components that can handle diverse configuration tasks through standardized interfaces. The automation engine, configuration database, and device communication modules are designed to work across multiple network device types and scenarios, reducing overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate specialized systems for different configuration tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated configuration system is segmented into distinct modular components: a centralized controller, configuration database, automation engine, and device communication interfaces. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently managed, updated, or scaled. This segmentation reduces system complexity by creating manageable, loosely-coupled components that work together through well-defined interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed including a method comprising: receiving, with a controller having a computer processor, a preservation status input from a user indicative of whether or not to preserve a virtual local area network (VLAN) tag in a header of a data packet transmitted within an Ethernet local area network (E-LAN), the VLAN tag identifying at least one of customer information and service provider information for the data packet in the E-LAN, wherein the E-LAN comprises network devices having physical ports and is configured to allow multiple customers use of an individual physical port; determining a scalable network-wide service configuration model having multiple predetermined rules for automatically configuring the physical ports of the network devices for the E-LAN based on the preservation status input from the user; and configuring automatically, with the controller, the physical ports of the network devices using the predetermined rules of the configuration model.