Network Appliance Monitoring Module Dynamic Port Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data center managers face challenges in optimizing resource utilization and ensuring application integrity and availability due to the complexity of network infrastructure, particularly in monitoring network traffic across multiple Virtual Design Contexts (VDCs) within data centers.

Innovation Solution

A Network Appliance Monitoring (NAM) module is introduced to execute commands on network elements, such as switches, and dynamically reconfigure data ports to monitor traffic across multiple VDCs, enabling seamless traffic flow and SPAN configuration through a Remote Integrated Service Engine (RISE) protocol, allowing for centralized management and reduced manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a NAM module is physically connected to a data port allocated to a first VDC element, then the NAM module can monitor traffic flow on the first VDC element, but the NAM module cannot monitor traffic flow on a second VDC element without physical reconfiguration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capability across multiple VDCsVSAvoidphysical reconfiguration requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic allocation of data ports between VDC elements through automated command execution. The NAM module can trigger commands that cause the network element to allocate the same physical data port to different VDC elements based on monitoring requirements, eliminating the need for physical reconfiguration while maintaining secure access to different virtual networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables a single physical data port to serve multiple VDC elements sequentially through automated allocation. The data port can be dynamically assigned to monitor traffic on the first VDC element, then reallocated to monitor the second VDC element, making the monitoring system universal across multiple virtual networks without requiring separate physical connections for each VDC

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If manual reconfiguration is required to monitor traffic on different VDCs, then security boundaries between VDCs are maintained, but operational efficiency decreases due to manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity boundary integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service monitoring by enabling the NAM module to automatically execute commands on the network element. The system can autonomously trigger data port allocation commands, receive execution results, and switch between monitoring different VDC elements without manual intervention, thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining security through controlled command execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the NAM module sends commands to the network element and receives execution results. This feedback loop allows the system to verify that data port allocation commands are properly executed while maintaining security boundaries, as the network element's controlled environment ensures that only authorized monitoring access is granted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the NAM module executes commands to reallocate data ports dynamically, then monitoring flexibility across multiple VDCs is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic reconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidcommand execution mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary command execution mechanism that bridges the NAM module and the network element's data port allocation functionality. The NAM module executes standardized commands through this intermediary layer, which handles the complexity of interacting with the network element's allocation mechanism, thereby simplifying the NAM module's design while enabling dynamic reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9794146B2Methods and systems for a monitoring device to execute commands on an attached switch

Publication Date: 2017.10.17 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method for enabling network appliance monitoring is disclosed. The method includes establishing a remote execution channel for executing commands on a network element such as e.g. a switch. The method also includes using the remote execution channel to initiate execution of one or more commands on the network element. The method further includes receiving at least part of an output resulting from the execution of the one or more commands, wherein the received at least part of the output enables performing the network appliance monitoring.