Network Control Apparatus for Loop-Free VLAN Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network resource management technologies face challenges in modifying network configurations without creating loop paths and efficiently utilizing network resources, leading to excessive consumption of switch resources.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus and method that incorporates a cross-point structure within VLANs connecting nodes, allowing for dynamic network configuration changes by assigning and notifying network switches and nodes of new connections, thereby reducing unnecessary resource consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple VLANs are configured for failure recovery, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to manage multiple VLAN configurations without loop paths
Solution Approach 1:
A control apparatus is introduced as an intermediary between network administrators and network switches. This control apparatus automatically generates, manages, and configures VLAN settings, eliminating the need for manual management of multiple VLAN configurations. The control apparatus computes optimal VLAN assignments that prevent loops while ensuring failure recovery capability, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and configuration complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple VLANs are prepared for switching during failure, then reliability is improved, but network resources are consumed excessively due to maintaining multiple standby configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic VLAN assignment where VLAN configurations are automatically adjusted based on real-time network state and failure scenarios. Instead of statically maintaining multiple complete VLAN configurations, the control apparatus dynamically computes and applies minimal necessary VLAN settings for failure recovery, reducing resource consumption while preserving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus changes VLAN parameters (such as VLAN IDs, port assignments, and spanning tree settings) optimally based on computed failure scenarios. By dynamically adjusting these parameters rather than maintaining fixed redundant configurations, the system achieves failure recovery with reduced network resource consumption.
3Quantity of substance
If manual VLAN configuration is used to avoid loop paths, then network resource consumption is reduced, but adaptability decreases when network topology changes require reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor network topology changes and automatically adjust VLAN configurations in response. When network changes occur, the system receives feedback about the new topology, recomputes optimal VLAN assignments to prevent loops, and applies updated configurations automatically, thus maintaining both resource efficiency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus enables self-service automation where the system automatically detects network changes, computes appropriate VLAN configurations, and applies settings without human intervention. This eliminates the need for manual reconfiguration while preventing loops, thereby maintaining resource efficiency alongside high adaptability to network changes.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a control apparatus including a setting unit configured to set a network configuration by assigning a network connection to between each of a plurality of network switches and each of a plurality of nodes based on disposition of the network switches and the nodes in a network having the network switches and the nodes, and a notification control unit configured to notify the network switches and the nodes of the set network configuration.