Automatic Network Device Reconfiguration via Configuration Backup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In large-scale Ethernet network systems, replacing or adding network devices requires manual reconfiguration, which is time-consuming and risks system disturbances due to the lack of automatic configuration retrieval and loading.
Innovation Solution
An automatic reconfiguration apparatus that stores and retrieves the original configuration of network devices, detects changes, and loads the correct configuration onto new devices, ensuring compatibility and minimizing manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual reconfiguration is performed by network administrators, then device replacement can be completed, but time consumption and labor effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically backing up configuration data from existing network devices before replacement occurs. The backup device is pre-configured with the retrieved configuration information, so when a device failure occurs, the replacement device is already ready to deploy, eliminating manual reconfiguration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of the original device's configuration data and loads them onto the replacement device. Instead of manually recreating configurations, the system automatically copies relevant configuration parameters from the backup or original device, significantly reducing reconfiguration time and effort.
2Productivity
If manual reconfiguration is performed, then device replacement can be achieved, but system stability is at risk due to potential configuration errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms to verify configuration accuracy. After automatically configuring the replacement device, the system monitors and compares the new device's configuration against the backup configuration to ensure consistency. This feedback loop detects and prevents configuration errors that could compromise system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation and verification of configuration data before deploying it to replacement devices. By checking configuration integrity and compatibility in advance, the system prevents erroneous configurations from being applied, thereby maintaining system reliability during device replacements.
3Loss of time
If configuration data is stored and automatically loaded, then reconfiguration time is reduced, but system complexity increases due to additional management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the configuration management system automatically retrieves, stores, and loads configuration data without requiring manual administrative intervention. The system serves itself by managing the entire configuration lifecycle autonomously, reducing both time loss and the perceived complexity for operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary configuration management component that acts as a bridge between network devices and administrators. This intermediary automatically handles configuration retrieval, storage, and deployment, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing configuration management functions and reducing the complexity burden on administrators.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for intelligent automatic reconfiguration of a network system basically implements an automatic reconfiguration apparatus to acquire the configuration of every network device and generates a topology of the network devices. Afterward, the automatic reconfiguration apparatus can detect the status of the network devices. When some network device is replaced by a new network device due to a breakdown or other factors, the automatic reconfiguration apparatus can detect the changed status and check the hardware version as well as the corresponding location in the topology of the former network device. If the hardware version of the new network device is identical to the hardware version of the corresponding former network device in the topology, the disclosed apparatus can automatically load the stored prime configuration into the new network device for performing automatic configuration to the network device.