Fibre Channel Management Encapsulation for Network Element Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems require separate network links for managing network elements, necessitating the use of both Fibre Channel networks for data processing and Ethernet networks for management requests and responses, which is inefficient and complex.
Innovation Solution
The system encapsulates management requests and responses using a second protocol within the Fibre Channel protocol, allowing them to be transmitted over the same link used for data processing, eliminating the need for separate network links for management operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate network links are used for management requests and data processing, then management operations can be performed, but network complexity increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines management request transmission and data processing into a single Fibre Channel network link. The management application generates management requests that are transmitted through the same network infrastructure used for data processing, eliminating the need for separate management network links and reducing overall network complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The Fibre Channel network link is designed to serve multiple functions: both data processing operations and management request transmission. This multi-functional approach allows a single network infrastructure to handle diverse traffic types, reducing the number of dedicated links needed and simplifying network architecture.
2Ease of operation
If separate network links are used for management requests and data processing, then protocol-specific management can be performed, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges management traffic and data traffic into a single network infrastructure. By transmitting encapsulated management requests over the Fibre Channel link alongside data processing traffic, the system reduces the total quantity of network infrastructure required while maintaining protocol-specific management capabilities through software-based protocol handling.
Data Source
AI summary
A management request complying with a first protocol is generated by a management application executed by a computing system coupled to a network element. A processor executable agent encapsulates a management request using a second protocol. The encapsulated management request is transmitted using a third protocol via a link used by the computing system to send input/output requests for reading and writing data to a storage device. The management request is de-encapsulated to provide the management request complying with the first protocol to a management module of the network element. The management module of the network element prepares a response to the management request complying with the first protocol. A processor executable service at the network element encapsulates the response using the second protocol. The encapsulated response is transmitted to the computing system using the third protocol. The response complying with the first protocol is extracted from the encapsulated response. The response complying with the first protocol is provided to the management application.