Network Connectivity Mapping via Automated Fault Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for tracking and mapping physical connections in cloud-based networks are time-consuming, non-scalable, and unable to keep up with the rapid growth and changes in these networks, leading to outdated and inaccurate data.
Innovation Solution
An automated connectivity state mapping system that groups network devices and interfaces, selectively causes faults, monitors responses, and correlates data to identify physical connections across multiple layers of the OSI model, maintaining an updated physical connection database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional manual methods are used to track and map physical connections, then accuracy can be maintained through careful documentation, but the process becomes time-consuming and non-scalable
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-mapping of network connections by having network devices autonomously generate test traffic, detect faults, and report their own connectivity status without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach maintains accuracy while dramatically improving update speed and scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical documentation methods with automated electronic fault injection and detection systems. By substituting human operators with automated software agents that inject faults and analyze responses, the system achieves both high accuracy and rapid updates.
2Loss of information
If frequent manual updates are performed to maintain current connection data, then data freshness improves, but the time and resources required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic automated fault injection cycles that systematically test network connections at scheduled intervals. This periodic action maintains data freshness by continuously updating connection information while automating the process to minimize time and resource consumption compared to manual methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary fault injection and detection actions before network changes occur or at scheduled intervals, proactively maintaining up-to-date connection data. This preliminary action prevents information loss by ensuring the topology database reflects current network state without requiring reactive manual updates.
3Productivity
If automated fault injection is performed on all network interfaces simultaneously, then mapping speed increases, but network stability and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the network into manageable groups or zones and performs fault injection sequentially on different segments rather than simultaneously across the entire network. This segmentation maintains mapping speed by parallelizing across segments while preserving network stability by limiting the scope of concurrent fault injections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the fault injection process based on real-time network conditions, prioritizing critical paths and adapting the injection rate and scope. This dynamic approach optimizes mapping speed while maintaining network reliability by avoiding overwhelming the system with simultaneous faults.
Data Source
AI summary
A connectivity state mapping system for mapping physical connections between interfaces of devices in a network is provided. The system includes at least one processor, at least one memory, and an application including instructions, which are executable by the at least one processor. The instructions are configured to: group the interfaces into groups; select one of the groups based on a predetermined fault plan; determine utilization parameters; based on the utilization parameters, cause at least one fault in one or more of the interfaces in the selected group; monitor events corresponding to the at least one fault and log data indicative of errors detected at the interfaces of the selected one of the groups; and based on the at least one fault and the predetermined fault plan, correlate the data to identify physical connections between two or more of the devices in the network.