External Host IP Retrieval for Stateless Network Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Network devices lacking locally stored network layer information, such as IP addresses, face challenges in performing networking functions like transmission of network accounting messages.

Innovation Solution

Network devices obtain network layer information from external sources like L3 network devices or remote storage, using commands or subscriptions to databases, and utilize this information for networking functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If network devices store network layer information locally, then networking functions can be performed reliably, but hardware and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetworking function performanceVSAvoidhardware and storage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the network layer information storage function from individual network devices and centralizes it in an external source. Network devices no longer need to maintain local copies of IP address information,而是 obtain it externally when needed, thereby reducing their hardware and storage requirements while maintaining networking function reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an external source as an intermediary between network devices and network layer information. This external source acts as a mediator that stores and provides IP address information to network devices on demand, eliminating the need for each device to maintain its own storage while ensuring information availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If network devices obtain IP addresses externally, then storage requirements are reduced, but access to network layer information is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage requirementsVSAvoidaccess to network layer information

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where network devices autonomously determine when they need network layer information and initiate external access requests. The devices monitor their own state and automatically retrieve IP address information from the external source when required for networking functions, without requiring manual intervention or complex centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If network devices maintain local IP address information, then networking functions are reliable, but the information may become outdated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetworking function reliabilityVSAvoidIP address updates

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic access where network devices systematically retrieve updated network layer information from the external source at regular intervals or when triggered by specific events. This periodic refresh mechanism ensures that devices obtain current IP address information while maintaining reliable networking functions, eliminating the problem of outdated local caches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20250365265A1Use of Externally Maintained Host IP Information

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 ARISTA NETWORKS INC

AI summary

A network device may obtain host network layer information such as host IP addresses from an external source. The external source may provide the network device with the network layer information of hosts connected to the network device. Accordingly, the network device may use the externally obtained network layer information to perform certain operations that would otherwise not be possible in the absence of the network layer information.