Network Device Abstract Interface for Multi-OS Hardware Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Third-party network operating systems lack the ability to interact directly with network device hardware without complex customization, requiring significant technical knowledge and resources.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a Network Device Abstract Interface (NDAI) Management Container, which enables concurrent execution of the 3PNOS and NOS, providing a translation mechanism to interact with network device hardware, hiding complexity from administrators and allowing interaction through the 3PNOS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If third-party network operating system is used to run on network device, then software versatility is improved, but hardware compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a translation layer that acts as an intermediary between the third-party network operating system and the network device hardware. This translation layer receives requests from the 3PNOS, translates them into the appropriate format, and forwards them to the hardware, thereby enabling compatibility without requiring modifications to either the hardware or the third-party software.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the system into distinct layers: the third-party network operating system layer, the translation layer, and the hardware layer. This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently with well-defined interfaces, improving versatility while maintaining hardware compatibility through standardized communication protocols.
2Reliability
If third-party network operating system is customized to interact with hardware, then hardware compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The translation layer serves as a mediator that handles all hardware interaction complexities, eliminating the need for third-party operating systems to be customized for hardware compatibility. The translation layer absorbs the complexity of hardware-specific protocols and interfaces, presenting a standardized interface to the third-party software.
Solution Approach 2:
The translation layer automatically performs the necessary format conversions and protocol translations without requiring manual customization or configuration. The system self-adapts to different hardware configurations through the translation layer's automated translation capabilities, reducing the complexity burden on users and administrators.
3Ease of operation
If translation mechanism is introduced between 3PNOS and NOS, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The translation layer acts as an intelligent intermediary that automatically handles format conversions and protocol translations between the third-party network operating system and the native operating system. This automation improves ease of operation by eliminating manual configuration requirements, while the translation layer's modular design minimizes the impact on overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The translation layer creates and maintains format copies and protocol mappings between different system interfaces. By implementing translation templates and format mappings, the system can handle multiple operating system formats without requiring complex real-time processing, thereby improving operational simplicity while controlling architecture complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing a network device that includes a network operating system (NOS) and a third-party network operating system (3PNOS) includes detecting a 3PNOS state change in a 3PNOS database managed by the 3PNOS, translating the 3PNOS state change into a network device state change, storing the network device state change in a state database managed by the NOS, in response to the storing: detecting a change in the state database by a NOS agent executing in the NOS, initiating, in response to detecting the change in the state database, an update to hardware on the network device by the NOS, wherein the 3PNOS does not directly manage the hardware.