Network Device Configuration Data Migration Using Intermediary Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods cannot efficiently migrate configuration data between network devices with different configuration systems due to variations in data structure, such as nested setting information and different parameter associations.

Innovation Solution

A management system that includes a conversion unit, which uses a general-purpose parameter table to convert configuration data from a source network device to a destination network device, ensuring compatibility and proper data structure alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If simple one-to-one conversion is used for configuration data, then conversion process is simple, but conversion cannot be performed between different configuration systems with different data structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion process simplicityVSAvoidcompatibility between different configuration systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary conversion process that uses a common intermediate format to bridge different configuration data structures. The conversion unit first converts source configuration data into an intermediate format that preserves the original structure, then converts from the intermediate format to the target configuration structure. This two-step conversion with an intermediate representation enables compatibility between different configuration systems while maintaining conversion capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The conversion process is segmented into multiple independent steps: extracting setting information from the source configuration data, converting it to an intermediate format, and then converting from the intermediate format to the target configuration structure. This segmentation allows each step to handle specific transformation tasks, making the overall conversion process manageable and adaptable to different configuration systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If configuration data structure is changed to accommodate different systems, then compatibility is improved, but data structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility between different configuration systemsVSAvoiddata structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate format acts as a mediator that avoids direct complexity in the conversion logic. By introducing this intermediate representation layer, the patent separates the complexity of handling different configuration structures from the core conversion logic, thereby managing data structure complexity while maintaining compatibility across different systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the configuration data in an intermediate format that mirrors the essential structure without committing to a specific target system's structure. This copying approach allows the conversion unit to work with a standardized representation that can be transformed into various target formats without increasing the complexity of the source or target data structures themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If existing database migration methods are applied to configuration data migration, then migration process is simplified, but conversion accuracy is lost due to structural differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemigration process simplicityVSAvoidconfiguration data conversion accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate format serves as a precise intermediary that preserves the semantic meaning and structure of the source configuration data during migration. Unlike direct database migration methods that assume uniform structures, this intermediate representation maintains the integrity of setting information, enabling accurate conversion even when source and target configuration structures differ significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The conversion unit applies parameter changes by systematically transforming setting information from the source configuration structure to the target configuration structure through the intermediate format. This parameter transformation approach ensures that the semantic meaning and functional equivalence of configuration data are preserved, maintaining conversion accuracy while adapting to different data structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250132978A1Management system, management method, and management program

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A management system manages a migration from a migration source NW device to a migration destination NW device among NW devices communicating with another communication device on a network, the management system comprising a conversion unit that converts a system of configuration data for setting an operation of the migration source NW device into configuration data according to a system of configuration data of the migration destination NW device by using a general-purpose parameter table capable of associating each service in a user unit, and applies the configuration data to the migration destination NW device.