Network Configuration Editor with Multi-File Validation and Rollback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network administration methods are largely manual and lack comprehensive automation, leading to potential errors in configuring network devices, which can result in network performance issues or failures due to the complexity and non-network-aware tools used.

Innovation Solution

A network configuration development environment with an automated editor that provides error checking, consistency validation, change implementation, and rollback capabilities, along with a multi-file edit capability for centralized management and visual assistance, allowing system administrators to view and edit multiple network configuration definitions simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual methods are used to maintain network device parameters, then flexibility and control are maintained, but error rates increase and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automated configuration management where the platform automatically retrieves, compares, and validates configuration parameters across multiple network devices without requiring manual intervention for each device, thereby improving both accuracy and efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical processes of configuration management are replaced with automated electronic systems that use algorithms to systematically collect, analyze, and validate configuration data across the network infrastructure, eliminating human error while maintaining control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated bulk changes are implemented, then productivity increases, but risk of network failure increases due to potential errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration speedVSAvoidnetwork stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically collecting and analyzing configuration parameters from all network devices before implementing any changes. This pre-validation process identifies potential conflicts or errors before they can affect network stability, allowing safe bulk changes to proceed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms that monitor configuration changes in real-time, comparing actual device states against desired configurations and automatically detecting deviations or errors, enabling immediate correction before network failure occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If multiple configuration files are managed separately, then simplicity is maintained, but time consumption increases due to manual tracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement simplicityVSAvoidtracking time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the management of multiple configuration files into a single unified platform that automatically tracks, compares, and manages configurations across all network devices, eliminating the need for separate manual tracking of each file while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If standard multi-file differencing utilities are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but functionality is limited to only 2-3 files

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool simplicityVSAvoidfile handling capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides universal functionality by designing a platform that can handle any number of configuration files and network devices simultaneously, unlike traditional utilities limited to 2-3 files. The system maintains ease of operation while achieving unlimited adaptability through automated scalability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11374827B2System for simultaneous viewing and editing of multiple network device configurations

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

A network configuration development environment is disclosed. In particular, an editor configured to interface with multiple network devices simultaneously, to view and adjust their device configuration settings, is provided. The network configuration development environment allows a system administrator to manage configuration definitions (e.g., run-time or start-up device configuration parameters) relative to a plurality of network devices simultaneously to achieve correctness and appropriate consistency for each of those devices in a network infrastructure. The network development environment may include an ability to apply changes directly to one or more network devices or to apply changes to stored “configuration files” that are associated with individual devices. Changes to stored configurations may be applied automatically, for example, within a maintenance window for the network, in a controlled manner with a “roll-back” capability in the event of failure or unexpected result as a consequence of the automatically applied changes.