Hierarchical Network Configuration with Multicast and Unicast Arbitration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing networked communication systems face inefficiencies in delivering configuration parameters to endpoint devices, as traditional unicast messaging is costly and inefficient, while multicast messaging is hindered by potential device-specific differences and high data packet drop rates, leading to increased bandwidth consumption and unreliable delivery.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hierarchical configuration management system that allows for multicast delivery of configuration updates to groups of endpoint devices, with hierarchical parameter levels (default, group-specific, and node-specific) and arbitration guidelines to manage conflicts, ensuring efficient and reliable parameter updates while minimizing network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unicast messaging is used to deliver configuration parameters to each endpoint device, then configuration delivery is reliable, but network bandwidth consumption increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration parameter delivery process is segmented into two distinct phases: a multicast phase for efficient bulk distribution of configuration data to multiple endpoint devices, and a unicast phase for reliable individual acknowledgment and error handling. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the bandwidth efficiency of multicast while maintaining the reliability of unicast for critical confirmation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multicast and unicast messaging approaches into a hybrid configuration delivery system. The multicast mechanism is used to efficiently distribute configuration parameters to groups of endpoint devices simultaneously, while unicast messaging is combined for individual acknowledgment, error reporting, and selective retransmission, thereby achieving both bandwidth efficiency and delivery reliability.
2Loss of energy
If multicast messaging is used to deliver configuration parameters to reduce network bandwidth consumption, then network efficiency improves, but delivery reliability decreases due to high data packet drop rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where endpoint devices send acknowledgment messages back to the configuration server via unicast channels after receiving multicast configuration parameters. This feedback allows the server to detect which devices successfully received the configuration and which devices experienced packet drops, enabling targeted retransmission only to affected devices rather than retransmitting to all devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary error detection and handling mechanisms where the multicast transmission includes error detection codes, and the system prepares for potential packet losses by having a ready unicast retransmission channel. This preliminary preparation ensures that when packet drops occur, the system can quickly respond with selective retransmission without compromising overall delivery reliability.
3Loss of energy
If multicast is used for configuration delivery, then bandwidth consumption is reduced, but device-specific configuration differences cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration system implements local quality by allowing different configuration parameters to be delivered via different mechanisms: common configuration parameters are delivered multicast to all devices in a group, while device-specific configuration parameters are delivered via unicast to individual endpoint devices. This approach optimizes bandwidth usage for common parameters while maintaining the ability to customize configurations for specific devices when needed.
4Reliability
If multiple multicasts are sent to ensure delivery, then configuration delivery reliability improves, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of sending multiple complete multicast transmissions to all devices, the system uses partial action by sending selective unicast retransmissions only to the specific endpoint devices that failed to receive the initial multicast. This approach achieves the necessary delivery reliability while minimizing redundant bandwidth consumption by avoiding excessive retransmissions to devices that already successfully received the configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for sending a configuration setting update to a networked endpoint device are provided. A head-end device in a communication system receives, from an endpoint device, a version audit that includes version information associated with parameter values set at one or more hierarchical level assignments for one or more applications used at the endpoint device, sends, to the endpoint device, a data packet including one or more parameter updates, and receives, from the endpoint device, an error message in response to the endpoint device failing to receive the data packet or an acknowledgement of receipt of the data packet.