Entity Configuration Profiles for Logical Network Entities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuration management in software-defined networking (SDN) is time- and resource-intensive due to the numerous entities and configurations, making it challenging to change settings for large groups of logical ports within a typical network management system.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of entity configuration profiles that can be grouped and applied to logical network entities or groups, allowing administrators to manage configuration settings efficiently through a management plane and central control plane, with features like profile sets and conflict resolution using priorities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If configuration settings are changed for individual logical network entities one by one, then each entity can be configured precisely, but the process becomes time- and resource-intensive when dealing with large groups of entities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple configuration settings into unified configuration templates that can be applied to groups of logical network entities simultaneously. The configuration template includes multiple configuration items (security, QoS, forwarding) that are merged into a single reusable structure, allowing administrators to configure numerous entities in one operation rather than individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration templates are designed to be universal and reusable across different logical network entities. A single template can be applied to multiple entities (logical switches, routers, ports) with the same configuration requirements, making the configuration process efficient and consistent while maintaining precision through template parameters.
2Productivity
If configuration templates are applied to groups of logical network entities, then configuration speed increases, but managing and distributing templates across multiple hosts becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a configuration management system as an intermediary between the administrator and the distributed logical network entities. This intermediary handles template storage, version control, and intelligent distribution to appropriate hosts, simplifying the overall process while enabling fast bulk configuration application across the network infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple configuration profiles are applied to the same logical network entity, then comprehensive configuration coverage is achieved, but configuration conflicts may arise requiring resolution mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary conflict detection and resolution mechanisms that are built into the template application process. Before applying configuration templates, the system checks for potential conflicts with existing configurations and resolves them automatically using predefined priority rules or prompts the administrator for resolution, preventing conflicts rather than managing them after they occur.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a method for a network controller. The method receives network configuration data including an association of an entity configuration profile set with a logical network entity. The entity configuration profile set is a group of at least two entity configuration profiles for different types of settings to apply to logical network entities with which the entity configuration profile set is associated. The method identifies a host machine at which the logical network entity is implemented. The method distributes the entity configuration profile set and each of the at least two entity configuration profiles to the identified host machine.