Global Private Network Management via Virtualization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Companies face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively expanding their branch office networks using traditional leased line wide area networks (WANs) and lower-cost broadband Internet, as these methods require significant provisioning and management efforts, and custom solutions can be time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A scalable global private network management system utilizing a network management service (NMS) that exposes graphical user interfaces, command line interfaces, and APIs to configure and manage networks across different geographic locations, allowing for centralized management, self-healing networks, and automatic reconfiguration through event-driven mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional leased line WANs are used to connect branch offices, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A network virtualization layer is introduced as an intermediary between physical network infrastructure and branch office connections. This virtualization layer abstracts the complexity of leased line provisioning and management, enabling reliable network connections without requiring direct management of physical infrastructure by branch offices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal network access platform that can accommodate multiple connection types (leased lines, broadband Internet, wireless) through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional platform eliminates the need for separate provisioning and management systems for different connection technologies, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If lower-cost broadband Internet is used to expand networks, then cost is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to custom solution requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts network parameters such as bandwidth allocation, quality of service levels, and connection priorities based on actual usage patterns and service level agreements. This parameter optimization enables broadband Internet connections to achieve performance comparable to leased lines while maintaining lower costs, eliminating the need for custom solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The network system implements dynamic resource allocation and automatic configuration that adapts to changing requirements in real-time. This dynamic approach allows broadband connections to be provisioned quickly without custom solutions, as the system automatically optimizes performance parameters based on current network conditions and service requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom solutions are developed for broadband Internet expansion, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pre-configured network templates and automated provisioning workflows that are prepared in advance for different connection types and service requirements. When broadband Internet expansion is needed, these pre-configured solutions can be deployed immediately without requiring custom development, eliminating deployment time while maintaining adaptability through template selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses standardized network configuration templates that can be copied and replicated across multiple branch offices. These templates encapsulate proven, adaptable solutions for different broadband scenarios, allowing rapid deployment by simply copying and customizing parameters rather than developing custom solutions from scratch, thereby eliminating deployment time while preserving adaptability.
4Area of stationary object
If more branch offices are added to traditional WANs, then network coverage is expanded, but device complexity increases due to additional hardware provisioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hardware provisioning and management functions from individual branch office equipment and consolidates them into a centralized network virtualization platform. This extraction allows branch offices to be added to the network without requiring complex hardware provisioning at each location, as the centralized platform automatically manages all physical infrastructure, enabling coverage expansion without increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes techniques for configuring and managing scalable global private networks associated with a service provider. Different input mechanisms, such as an API, a UI, or a CLI may be utilized to configure, and manage a global private network that spans across the cloud in different geographic locations and connects to different stand-alone networks. The user may proactively use the input mechanisms to configure and query different network resources to reactively configure settings for reacting to one or more events. The input mechanisms may also be utilized to define the network resources to be modeled within the global private network as well as connections within the global network. A user may configure events/metrics to be monitored, tasks/workflows to be performed, and the like. In some configurations, a network management service (NMS) may perform health monitoring and reachability monitoring to identify possible issues in the global network.