Network Device Manager for Automated Component Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and configuring program components across multiple network devices in a communication network is time-consuming and inefficient due to manual efforts required for handling conflicting behaviors, software version differences, and component upgrades, especially in large networks with diverse devices.
Innovation Solution
A device manager identifies and applies predefined policies to determine the necessary program components for network devices, automatically pushing required components to ensure consistent operation, reducing manual work and enabling flexible network upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual configuration of program components is performed in each network device, then network administrators can directly handle device-specific requirements, but the process becomes very time-consuming and inefficient in large networks
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized device manager is introduced as an intermediary system that automatically identifies required program components and pushes them to network devices. This mediator eliminates the need for manual configuration by each administrator while maintaining proper component deployment across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The device manager enables network devices to self-configure by automatically identifying which program components are needed based on device type and network policies, then deploying them without human intervention. This self-service approach dramatically reduces configuration time while ensuring correctness.
2Reliability
If program components are manually installed in each network device, then specific software versions and components can be controlled, but considerable work and efforts must be spent to achieve correct operation
Solution Approach 1:
The device manager acts as a centralized intermediary that maintains authoritative information about required program components for each device type. It automatically pushes correct components with proper versions to network devices, ensuring reliability while eliminating manual deployment efforts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-defines policies and program component requirements for different device types in advance. When a network device is deployed or needs updating, the device manager automatically applies these pre-configured policies, ensuring correct operation without time-consuming manual analysis.
3Adaptability or versatility
If new services and functions are introduced in the network, then network capabilities are enhanced, but manual efforts are required for each individual device making the process time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device manager provides dynamic service deployment by allowing administrators to define new services and functions centrally. The system then automatically propagates these changes to all relevant network devices based on their types and current configurations, enabling rapid adaptation without manual per-device updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The device manager serves multiple functions: it manages program component deployment, handles software version control, applies policies across device types, and introduces new services. This universal system handles all configuration tasks centrally, dramatically reducing deployment time for new network capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device manager for controlling program components in a network device, wherein the network device is used for handling data traffic in a communication network. First, the device manager identifies, out of a set of predefined policies, a policy comprising rules which determine how the network device should operate when handling data traffic. Then, program components required to fulfil the identified policy are identified and existing program components present in the network device are determined. The device manager further pushes any of the required program components being absent in said existing program components, to the network device. Thereby, any network device(s) can be configured and/or upgraded automatically according to appropriate predefined policies, requiring a minimum of manual work. The predefined policies can also easily be modified or extended to deploy new and/or upgraded functions.