Multi-entity Network Configuration Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-management frameworks for large networks are manually intensive and time-consuming, lacking support for multi-entity configuration setting changes such as overwrite, append, or find-and-replace operations across multiple infrastructure services servicing thousands of client devices.
Innovation Solution
A multi-entity management system with a configuration dialog that allows network administrators to perform single-step operations like overwrite, append, delete, or find-and-replace on multiple network entities, simplifying the management of complex network settings across DHCP and DNS servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional multi-management framework is used to manage large networks, then network infrastructure services can be provisioned, but configuration updates across multiple entities require manual multi-step operations that are time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate configuration operations into a single unified multi-entity configuration operation. The system allows administrators to select multiple infrastructure service entities and apply configuration changes (overwrite, append, find-and-replace) to all selected entities simultaneously through one operation, rather than manually configuring each entity separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal configuration operation that can handle multiple types of configuration changes (overwrite, append, find-and-replace) across multiple different entity types (DHCP scopes, DNS zones, etc.) through a single unified interface and operation mechanism, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to various configuration needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multi-management framework is used, then single-entity operations can be performed, but multi-entity configuration setting changes are not supported requiring deletion and recreation of objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal configuration operation that works across multiple entity types and supports multiple operation modes (overwrite, append, find-and-replace) within a single unified framework, eliminating the need for separate deletion and recreation processes and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary configuration management system that sits between the administrator and multiple infrastructure service entities. This intermediary handles the complexity of multi-entity operations by providing a unified interface that translates high-level configuration requests into appropriate actions across multiple entities, shielding administrators from underlying complexity.
3Ease of operation
If manual multi-step processes are used for configuration and troubleshooting, then infrastructure services can be managed, but the process is manually intensive and time-consuming for large networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manual configuration steps into a single automated operation. Administrators can select multiple entities and apply configuration changes through one unified process, eliminating the need for sequential manual configuration of each entity and significantly reducing both operational complexity and time requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the configuration management system to perform operations automatically once parameters are set. The system can autonomously apply configuration changes across multiple entities without requiring manual intervention for each step, reducing the manually intensive nature of traditional configuration management.
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments of multi-entity management, a multi-entity system can include an infrastructure service (DHCP) that services client devices configured for network connectivity on a network. The multi-entity system also includes server devices configured for network configuration settings control and management of the client devices on the network. A multi-entity manager instantiates a configuration dialog for display with user-selectable controls that are selectable to initiate a single-step configuration operation of one or more of the network configuration settings at the server devices.