Layer-2 Switch Network Map Generation via MvP Table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network administrators face challenges in efficiently managing complex network connections between Layer-2 switches, requiring up-to-date information to visualize connections as a tree-type network map for effective management.
Innovation Solution
A method and program that generate a Mapping VLAN to Port (MvP) table, normalize it to identify connections, establish parent-child relationships, and draw Layer-2 switches as a tree-type network map, incorporating network monitoring and SNMP management to ensure accurate and efficient network visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If network administrators manually track and document connections between Layer-2 switches, then they can maintain network information, but the management becomes increasingly time-consuming and error-prone as network scale expands
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically collecting MAC address information from Layer-2 switches through SNMP protocols and generating the MvP table without human intervention. The network infrastructure itself provides the data needed for visualization, eliminating manual tracking requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical processes of documenting and tracking network connections are replaced with automated electronic systems. The patent uses SNMP-based automated data collection, algorithmic MvP table generation, and computer-generated tree-type visualizations to substitute human manual operations.
2Loss of information
If detailed connection information between all Layer-2 switches is collected and stored, then complete network visibility is achieved, but the complexity of processing and visualizing this data increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex network data into structured MvP tables with specific columns (Switch A MAC, Switch A Port, Switch B MAC, Switch B Port). This segmentation organizes raw connection data into manageable, standardized units that facilitate systematic processing and visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The MvP table serves as an intermediary structure between raw SNMP data from switches and the final tree-type visualization. It acts as a standardized intermediate format that simplifies the transformation process by pre-organizing connection information in a structured manner before visualization generation.
3Ease of operation
If a tree-type network map is generated to visualize Layer-2 switch connections, then network structure becomes clearly visible, but the accuracy of parent-child relationships must be precisely determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation by using MAC address-based identification and port number mapping to determine hierarchical relationships. Instead of relying on switch-configured hierarchy information, it infers parent-child relationships from actual MAC address visibility and port connectivity data, transforming the basis for relationship determination.
4Productivity
If automated MvP table generation is implemented using SNMP protocols, then data collection efficiency improves, but the reliability of collected MAC address information must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by using SNMP protocols to automatically collect and verify MAC address information from Layer-2 switches. The automated collection process continuously retrieves current network state information, ensuring data reflects the actual network configuration without manual intervention errors.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a method for drawing connections for one or more Layer-2 switches as a tree-type network map. The method includesa first step of generating a MvP table consisting of a mapping table M1 and a mapping table M2 based on management information collected from the Layer-2 switches by network monitoring manager H;a third step of identifying parent-child relationship of Layer-2 switches based on the Connection-information between Layer-2 switches in the second step, and generating a Layered-structure of Layer-2 switches based on the parent-child relationship; anda fourth step of drawing connections for Layer-2 switches as a tree-type network map based on the Layered-structure of Layer-2 switches in the third step.