IP Address Assignment via Switch Port Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In data centers, the conventional DHCP server method for assigning IP addresses does not correlate IP addresses with the installation position of network devices, making it time-consuming and labor-intensive for maintenance workers to locate faulty devices among thousands, as they cannot determine the real installation position from the IP address alone.
Innovation Solution
An IP address assigning method that dynamically assigns IP addresses based on the installation positions of network devices by using a DHCP server to analyze media access control addresses and address forwarding tables to determine the port number of network switches connected to the devices, allowing for quick recognition of device positions and reducing labor costs and technical thresholds for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the conventional DHCP server method is used to assign IP addresses, then IP addresses can be quickly assigned to network devices, but the installation position of network devices cannot be determined from the IP address
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating and maintaining an IP position mapping table that pre-establishes the correlation between IP addresses and device installation positions before any fault occurs. This allows maintenance workers to immediately query the location of faulty devices without time-consuming manual searches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an IP position mapping table as an intermediary data structure that mediates between the DHCP server and maintenance workers. This table stores and manages the correlation information between IP addresses and physical installation positions, enabling efficient location queries without requiring direct integration between DHCP and positioning systems
2Ease of operation
If maintenance workers manually search for damaged servers among thousands of servers, then they can find the faulty device, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing maintenance workers to independently query device locations through the IP position mapping table using the IP address of the faulty device. This eliminates the need for manual searching and reduces dependency on skilled personnel's knowledge of the data center layout
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual searching process with an automated information query system. Instead of physically searching through racks and cabinets, maintenance workers can quickly obtain location information by querying the IP position mapping table, substituting physical search with digital information retrieval
3Productivity
If IP addresses are assigned without correlating to installation positions, then IP address assignment is simple and quick, but the positioning function cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IP address management system into two independent but coordinated components: the DHCP server for IP address assignment and the IP position mapping table for location management. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function efficiently while maintaining the necessary correlation through the mapping table
Data Source
AI summary
An IP address assigning method is provided. Firstly, an IP address request packet containing a media access control address is transmitted to a DHCP server. The IP address request packet is analyzed, so that the media access control address is acquired. Then, at least one address forwarding table of at least one network switch is acquired. Then, the address forwarding table is analyzed according to the media access control address, so that an assigned number of a port of the network switch is acquired. Then, a predetermined IP address listed in an IP address assigning table is assigned to the network device according to the assigned number of the port of the network switch. Afterwards, the media access control address and/or the assigned IP address is recorded in a field of the IP address assigning table corresponding to the assigned number of the port of the network switch.