Network Device Hash-Based Configuration Update Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for updating network device applications, such as firewall daemons, consume excessive resources and time by unnecessarily comparing unmodified configuration objects, leading to delayed application restarts and network traffic delays.
Innovation Solution
A method where a network device calculates hash values for configuration objects and stores operational objects with these hash values, preventing the generation of new operational objects when the hash values match, thus avoiding unnecessary processing of unmodified data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the network device compares all configuration objects during application updates, then configuration accuracy is ensured, but computing resources and time are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential identifying features (hash values) from configuration objects for comparison, rather than comparing entire configuration objects. This allows the system to verify configuration changes with high accuracy while consuming minimal computing resources, as hash comparison is computationally inexpensive compared to full object comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms configuration objects into hash values (parameter transformation) to enable efficient comparison. By changing the representation from full configuration objects to condensed hash parameters, the system maintains verification accuracy while dramatically reducing computing resource consumption and comparison time.
2Reliability
If the network device processes all configuration objects on every update, then configuration integrity is maintained, but application restart time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary hashing of configuration objects and stores these hash values before application updates. During updates, the system compares only the new hash values against stored hashes to determine if processing is needed, eliminating the need to process entire configuration objects on every update and significantly reducing restart time while maintaining integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms configuration objects into hash values to enable rapid comparison operations. This parameter transformation allows the system to verify configuration integrity efficiently by comparing compact hash representations rather than full configuration objects, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing time loss during updates.
3Reliability
If the network device generates new operational objects for every configuration object, then configuration updates are ensured, but processing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where hash comparison results determine whether to generate new operational objects. The system compares configuration hashes, and only when changes are detected does it proceed to generate updated operational objects. This feedback-driven approach ensures complete configuration updates while avoiding unnecessary processing of unchanged configurations, thereby maintaining reliability while improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by generating operational objects only for configuration objects that have actually changed, rather than regenerating all operational objects on every update. The hash comparison mechanism identifies which configurations require updates, allowing the system to perform only the necessary processing work while maintaining complete update integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device may receive a first configuration object associated with an application and may parse the first configuration object to identify first configuration data. The network device may calculate a first hash value based on the first configuration data and may generate a first operational object based on the first configuration data and the first hash value. The network device may receive a second configuration object associated with the application of the network device and may parse the second configuration object to identify second configuration data. The network device may calculate a second hash value based on the second configuration data and may determine whether the first hash value matches the second hash value. The network device may prevent, based on the first hash value matching the second hash value, generation of a second operational object based on the second configuration data and the second hash value.