FTP Bulk Transfer for Network Element Configuration Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network discovery processes are resource-intensive and time-consuming due to limitations and overheads in existing network protocols used for data exchange between Element Management Systems (EMS) and Network Elements (NEs).
Innovation Solution
Implementing the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) to transfer bulk information between EMS and NEs during the network discovery process, where NEs generate and store configuration files that can be retrieved efficiently using FTP or remote file systems, reducing the need for numerous SNMP requests and messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SNMP bulk requests are used to obtain circuit data from NEs, then data can be transferred between EMS and NEs, but the discovery process becomes time-consuming and resource-intensive due to protocol overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces FTP as an intermediary protocol for bulk data transfer between EMS and NEs. Instead of using multiple SNMP requests, the system uses FTP as a mediator to transfer configuration files efficiently, reducing the time-consuming nature of protocol-based data exchange while maintaining reliable data transfer capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having NEs generate and store configuration files in advance using FTP before the actual discovery process. This allows the EMS to retrieve pre-prepared data files rather than requesting data through multiple SNMP queries during the discovery process, significantly reducing discovery time
2Loss of information
If multiple SNMP requests are sent to retrieve circuit information, then comprehensive network data can be obtained, but network congestion increases and resource consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple SNMP requests into a single FTP file transfer operation. Instead of sending numerous individual SNMP requests to gather circuit information, the system combines all data retrieval operations into one bulk FTP transfer, reducing network congestion and resource consumption while obtaining complete network information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating configuration files that contain complete network information and transferring these files via FTP. This allows the EMS to obtain comprehensive network data through a single file copy operation rather than multiple individual data requests, reducing the energy and resources consumed during the discovery process
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for transferring information in bulk between network devices employing File Transfer Protocol (“FTP”) are disclosed. During a network discovery process, an Element Management System (“EMS”) initiates a file generation command formatted with Simple Network Management Protocol (“SNMP”) to one or more network element (“NE”). After obtaining configuration information from one or more network devices, an NE, in one embodiment, establishes a file containing the configuration information and subsequently stores the file in a storage location. The file formatted in SNMP format is forwarded to EMS suing FTP/SFTP (secure file transfer protocol)/TFTP (trivial file transport protocol).