Network Address Space Visualization for Contiguous CIDR Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing network address allocations in cloud provider networks is challenging due to random allocations leading to non-contiguous address spaces, which complicate unified management and compliance with established rules, and result in inefficient fragmentation and overlap issues.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface is introduced for visualizing network address space, using color coding and navigation tools to facilitate understanding and management of network address allocations, allowing users to drill down into CIDR blocks and manage allocations efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network addresses are allocated randomly to cloud resources, then address allocation flexibility is improved, but address space contiguity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network address space into hierarchical CIDR blocks (e.g., /8, /16, /24 levels) that can be independently managed and allocated. This segmentation allows random allocation at the resource level while maintaining contiguity at the block level, resolving the contradiction between allocation flexibility and address space contiguity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to address management by organizing addresses into multiple levels of CIDR blocks. This dimensional organization allows the system to maintain contiguity in higher-level blocks while enabling flexible allocation in lower-level segments, thus resolving the contradiction.
2Device complexity
If network address allocations are managed without visualization, then system complexity is reduced, but management efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visualization interface as an intermediary between the complex address allocation system and the user. This interface displays address allocations, overlaps, and compliance status graphically, enabling efficient management without increasing system complexity by providing a user-friendly representation layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color coding in the visualization interface to represent different allocation statuses (e.g., compliant, non-compliant, overlapping). This visual differentiation improves management efficiency by allowing users to quickly identify and address issues without increasing system complexity.
3Speed
If CIDR blocks are allocated without compliance checking, then allocation speed is improved, but rule compliance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs compliance checking preliminarily by pre-defining valid CIDR block hierarchies and allocation rules. When allocating addresses, the system checks against these pre-established rules, enabling fast allocation while ensuring compliance without requiring complex real-time validation logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that provide immediate compliance status information to users during allocation. The visualization interface shows whether allocations comply with established rules, allowing users to adjust allocations quickly while maintaining compliance, thus preserving allocation speed.
4Measurement precision
If network address space is visualized in detail, then allocation precision is improved, but information processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vast network address space into hierarchical CIDR blocks, allowing detailed visualization and precise allocation management at appropriate levels of granularity. This segmentation enables precise allocation control while reducing information processing load by organizing data into manageable hierarchical units rather than displaying every individual address.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for visualization of network address space. In one embodiment, a network address block assigned to an entity in a network addressing scheme is determined. A user interface is generated that visually represents the network addressing scheme with a plurality of rows. Individual rows represent divisions of a corresponding network prefix length in the network addressing scheme. The user interface indicates a location of the network address block.