Extensible Network Test Agent Plugin Architecture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network agents require redesign and recoding to accommodate new types of interfaces, limiting their ability to communicate with diverse network devices and interfaces without incremental installation capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A communication test/measurement agent with an extensible architecture that includes a generic interface and plugin system, allowing dynamic recognition and incorporation of new interfaces and plugins, enabling communication with various types of communication interfaces without the need for redesign or recoding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network agents are designed specifically for one type of interface, then the agent can communicate reliably with that interface type, but the agent cannot communicate with new interface types without redesign and recoding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface type compatibilityVSAvoidagent redesign requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The agent is segmented into a core communication framework and separate interface-specific plugins. Each plugin handles a specific interface type independently, allowing new interface types to be added as separate plugins without modifying the core agent structure or existing plugins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The agent framework is designed as a universal platform that can communicate with multiple interface types through a common API. The framework provides universal communication mechanisms while allowing specialized plugins to handle specific interface requirements, enabling one agent to serve multiple interface types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If network agents are redesigned for each new interface type, then the agent can support the new interface, but the development time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface support capabilityVSAvoidagent redesign time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By separating interface-specific functionality into independent plugins, the development time for new interface support is reduced to only the plugin creation phase rather than requiring complete agent redesign. Existing plugins and core framework remain unchanged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The agent framework is pre-configured with a standardized plugin loading mechanism and communication API that anticipates future interface types. This preliminary structure allows new interfaces to be integrated quickly without requiring retrospective redesign of the entire agent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If network agents use hardcoded interface-specific code, then the agent structure remains simple, but the agent cannot be extended with new interfaces without recoding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveagent development simplicityVSAvoidinterface extension capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The agent architecture separates the simple core framework from complex interface-specific implementations in separate plugins. This segmentation allows the core to remain simple while enabling extensive functionality through composed plugins without increasing core complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The agent transitions from static hardcoded interfaces to a dynamic plugin-based architecture where interface capabilities can be dynamically added, removed, or modified without affecting the core agent structure. This dynamic extensibility maintains development simplicity while enabling future expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If network agents communicate with each interface type independently, then each interface can be optimized for its specific protocol, but the system complexity increases and a single access point cannot control all interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface-specific communication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments communication into a unified framework layer and separate interface layers. Each interface maintains its own optimized communication protocols through dedicated plugins, while the framework layer provides standardized access points that simplify system architecture despite supporting multiple interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8055700B2Network test/measurement agent extensible with different types of network interfaces

Publication Date: 2011.11.08 VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC(US)

AI summary

A system or method that extends a communication test/measurement agent by providing the communication test/measurement agent with built-in functionality to allow a central communication test/measurement system to generically communicate with and operate the agent, and by providing the communication test/measurement agent with built-in functionality to allow the agent to automatically recognize and dynamically incorporate plugins that are specific to different types of communication interfaces and which allow the network test/measurement system to communicate with the respective different types of communication interfaces.