Centralized Multi-Chassis Router Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service providers face challenges in managing and upgrading multi-chassis routers due to increased administrative time and costs, as well as complexity in configuring and managing multiple routing devices within these systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for configuring multi-chassis routers, where a control node automatically distributes and validates configuration data to each chassis, allowing for centralized management and reducing the need for individual configuration of each device, enabling administrators to operate multiple routers from a single interface with reduced training requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple routing devices are physically coupled to form a multi-chassis router, then bandwidth capabilities are increased and routing functions are consolidated, but the complexity of individual configuration and management of each device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the configuration management functions of multiple routing devices into a single centralized control node. The control node receives configuration data from an administrator and automatically distributes it to all chassis, eliminating the need for individual configuration of each device while maintaining the high bandwidth capabilities provided by the multi-chassis architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control node acts as an intermediary between the administrator and the individual chassis. It receives configuration commands from the administrator and automatically translates them into device-specific configurations for each chassis, thereby simplifying the management process while preserving the enhanced bandwidth capabilities of the multi-chassis system.
2Manufacturing precision
If configuration data is manually distributed to each chassis individually, then configuration precision can be maintained, but administrative time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control node performs preliminary actions by automatically validating and preparing configuration data before distribution to chassis. It pre-processes the configuration to ensure correctness and compatibility, then automatically distributes the validated configuration to all chassis, maintaining precision while significantly reducing the time required compared to manual individual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The control node performs self-service by automatically validating configuration data and distributing it to chassis without requiring manual intervention for each step. The system autonomously ensures configuration precision through validation while eliminating time-consuming manual distribution processes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If configuration changes are applied to all chassis simultaneously, then consistency across the routing system is improved, but validation and commitment time for each chassis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control node performs preliminary validation of configuration data before distribution to chassis. By validating the configuration in advance and ensuring it is correct and compatible with all chassis, the system can then apply the configuration simultaneously to all chassis without requiring extended validation time for each individual chassis, thereby maintaining consistency while reducing total validation time.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-chassis router allows an administrator to distribute configuration data from a single user interface. Additionally, the multi-chassis router presents a software image consistent with that of a standalone router and uses configuration data syntax that is consistent with that of a standalone router. The multi-chassis router automatically distributes and validates relevant configuration data at each chassis within the multi-chassis router. In effect, an administrator does not need to account for the multiple chassis configuration, and an administrator familiar with the configuration data syntax for a standalone router can use that knowledge to configure the multi-chassis router.