Network Device Management via External Control Protocol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional campus networks face challenges in device management due to complex operation and maintenance requirements, high hardware costs, and the need for frequent updates across multiple network devices, especially with the shift towards cloud-based traffic models.
Innovation Solution
A control device and execution device system that uses a network communications interface and processor to manage device operations remotely, allowing device management protocols to be sent over a network, reducing the need for local processing and updating individual devices, thereby simplifying maintenance and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device management module is designed to be compatible with all functions of an entire series of switches, then the device management function can be universally applied, but a large amount of code is required and high-performance CPU is needed, increasing device costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the device management function from the switch hardware and relocates it to an external management device. The switch is reduced to merely executing simple instructions (register operations and pin status setting), while the complex management logic is completely removed from the switch itself, thereby reducing code quantity and CPU requirements in the switch while maintaining universal management capability externally
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary management device that acts as a mediator between the operator and the switches. This intermediary handles all complex management operations, code execution, and device control, allowing the switches to remain simple hardware execution units without needing sophisticated management software or high-performance processors
2Ease of operation
If device management is performed locally on each switch, then each device can independently manage itself, but updating devices on the entire network requires upgrading each device one by one, increasing maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the device management capability from individual switches and consolidates it into a centralized management device. This allows uniform management and updating of all switches through a single point of control, eliminating the need to upgrade each switch individually and significantly reducing maintenance time and costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the management functions of multiple switches into a single centralized management device. This consolidation enables batch operations and unified control over the entire network, allowing simultaneous updates and configurations across all switches without requiring individual device access or separate update processes
3Adaptability or versatility
If the CPU of a device is responsible for device management functions, then the device can autonomously manage itself, but device costs are high due to the requirement for high-performance CPU
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the device management function from the switch CPU and relocates it to an external management device. The switch CPU is relieved of management responsibilities and only needs to execute simple instructions, thereby reducing the performance requirements and cost of the switch hardware while maintaining autonomous operation capability through the external manager
Data Source
AI summary
A control device, an execution device, a device management method, and a device management system are provided, and are related to the field of network technologies. The control device includes: a network communications interface configured to connect to an execution device through a network, where the execution device is a network communications device; and a processor configured to send a device management protocol packet through the network communications interface, where the device management protocol packet indicates an operation performed on a register in a first chip in the execution device and/or the device management protocol packet indicates that a pin of a second chip in the execution device is set to a status indicated by the device management protocol packet.