Multi-Chassis Router Software Installation Control
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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 ensuring software compatibility across multiple routing devices.
Innovation Solution
A method for installing software on multi-chassis routers, where a control node automatically distributes the software to each chassis, performs independent validation, and commits the software only after successful validation, allowing for simultaneous installation across all chassis while reporting results to the administrator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual software installation is performed on each chassis individually, then software compatibility can be ensured, but administrative time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the software installation process across multiple chassis by introducing a control node that centrally manages and coordinates software distribution to all chassis simultaneously. This eliminates the need for individual manual installation on each chassis while maintaining compatibility through unified validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control node automatically performs software validation and distribution to all chassis without requiring manual intervention on each individual chassis. The system self-manages the installation process, reducing administrative time while ensuring compatibility through automated validation.
2Loss of time
If automated software distribution is implemented across all chassis, then administrative time is reduced, but ensuring software compatibility becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The control node performs preliminary validation of software compatibility before distribution to chassis. This advance checking ensures that the software is compatible with all chassis specifications before installation begins, preventing compatibility issues while enabling automated rapid deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the control node receives validation results from each chassis and uses this information to confirm software compatibility before final installation. This feedback loop ensures reliability while maintaining automated efficient deployment.
3Productivity
If simultaneous software installation is performed on all chassis, then installation time is minimized, but conflicts between chassis may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control node performs preliminary validation and coordination before simultaneous installation begins. It ensures that all chassis are ready and compatible before initiating parallel installation, preventing conflicts while enabling maximum installation speed through simultaneous deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The control node acts as an intermediary that coordinates and manages the simultaneous installation process across all chassis. It mediates the installation to ensure proper sequencing and compatibility checking, preventing intra-router conflicts while maintaining parallel installation for high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-chassis router allows an administrator to install software from a single user interface. The multi-chassis router automatically forwards the software to each chassis within the multi-chassis router when given a single command to install the software from an administrator. The multi-chassis router also automatically validates the software on each chassis. After reporting the results of the validations, the multi-chassis router may wait for the administrator to issue a commit command before committing each chassis within the multi-chassis router to the software. Alternatively, in response to a failed validation or for other reason, an administrator can issue a single ROLLBACK command. This allows each chassis within the multi-chassis router to have the same software during all stages of a software installation and ensures software on each chassis is compatible with software on every other chassis.