Platform-Independent Interface for Network Device Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of standardization in network device schemas across manufacturers makes it time-consuming and expensive for administrators to configure and provision network devices, as each device requires unique configuration commands tailored to its specific schema.
Innovation Solution
A device-specific script is generated using a script builder that parses template configuration data and prompts users for parameterization, allowing a common API to be used across different network devices, eliminating the need for device-specific commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If device-specific configuration commands are used for each network device, then device-specific settings can be maintained, but configuration time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal configuration interface that allows a single set of commands to configure multiple different network devices. The system parses device-specific schema information and translates universal configuration commands into device-specific configuration data, enabling one interface to serve multiple device types without requiring device-specific command sets for each device.
2Ease of manufacture
If device-specific configuration commands are used for each network device, then device-specific settings can be maintained, but configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a translator between the universal configuration interface and device-specific configuration schemas. This intermediary parses the device-specific schema information, understands the target device's requirements, and automatically translates universal commands into the appropriate device-specific configuration data, shielding the user from complexity while maintaining device-specific settings.
3Loss of time
If standardized configuration interface is implemented across different network devices, then configuration time is reduced, but device-specific schema requirements may not be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes parameters based on the target device's schema requirements. The system parses the device-specific schema to understand what parameters are required, their types, and their constraints. When processing universal configuration commands, the system automatically adapts and transforms the configuration data to match the target device's schema, ensuring both time efficiency and schema compliance.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device is described that parses configuration data of the network device in accordance with a schema, for candidate configuration parameters. The device outputs a parameter identifier of each candidate configuration parameter, and in response, receives an indication of a selection of the candidate configuration parameters and corresponding labels. Both the selected parameters and the labels conform to a platform-independent interface for a remote procedure call for provisioning a service on any one of a plurality of different devices within a network. The device generates a device-specific configuration script for modifying the configuration data of the device in accordance with the schema of the device. The device-specific configuration script can receive, via the platform-independent interface for the remote procedure call, parameterized information associated with the selected parameters and update the configuration data based on the parameterized information.