Network Device Assignment via Interregional Redirector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network setup and management systems require complex configuration and lack redundancy, leading to network downtime if a central server fails, as they do not easily allow device addition or failover in case of server failure.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an interregional redirector system that assigns network devices to load balancer systems, which in turn assign them to regional device management engines, and monitors engine status to reroute devices if an engine fails, ensuring continuous network operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single central server is used to manage network devices, then the system structure is simple, but the network reliability deteriorates because all devices become inoperable if the server fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidnetwork reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single central server into multiple regional device management engines distributed across different geographic regions. Each engine manages a specific subset of network devices in its region, creating a segmented architecture that maintains simplicity while improving reliability through distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of server distribution from centralized (single location) to distributed (multiple regional locations). This parameter change allows the system to maintain simple management protocols while achieving reliability through geographic distribution and failover capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If manual device configuration is required to add devices to the network, then configuration control is precise, but the ease of operation deteriorates because administrators must manually configure each device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of device additionVSAvoidconfiguration process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service functionality where network devices automatically register themselves with the appropriate regional device management engine when powered on. The interregional redirector system automatically assigns devices to regional engines based on geographic location, eliminating the need for manual administrator configuration while maintaining organized device management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assignment of devices to regional engines based on geographic location before actual device management begins. The interregional redirector pre-configures the device-to-engine mapping, so when devices are added to the network, they are automatically routed to the correct management engine without requiring real-time administrator intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If network devices are assigned to regional device management engines based on geographic location, then the adaptability to regional needs is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for interregional redirector and load balancer systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregional adaptabilityVSAvoidassignment system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an interregional redirector system as an intermediary that simplifies the complexity of assigning devices to regional engines. The redirector acts as a mediator that handles the geographic routing logic, allowing regional engines to focus on local device management while the redirector manages the complexity of interregional assignment and load balancing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the load balancer system continuously monitors engine status, then the reliability is improved through automatic failover, but the use of energy increases due to continuous monitoring and communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork availabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The load balancer system implements continuous monitoring of engine status through persistent connections and heartbeat mechanisms. This continuous action ensures that failover can occur immediately when an engine fails, maintaining network availability while optimizing energy use by keeping monitoring connections active rather than establishing new connections during failover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS10389650B2Building and maintaining a network

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 EXTREME NETWORKS INC

AI summary

Techniques and systems for establishing and maintaining networks. The technique includes assigning a network device to an interregional redirector system and load balancer systems. The network device can be assigned based upon the regions or subregions of the network device. The technique includes the load balancer systems assigning the network device to network device management engines. The status of the network device management engines can be monitored to determine if one of the network device management engines has failed. In the event that a network device management engine has failed, the network device can be assigned to a different network device management engine.