Autonomous Network Device Self-Provisioning via Topology Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual provisioning of routing nodes and server stacks in data centers is time-consuming and prone to errors due to the vast number of devices, necessitating a more efficient and accurate method for self-provisioning within network topologies.
Innovation Solution
A self-discovery protocol allows devices in a network to autonomously identify themselves and provision their routing rules by sending and receiving messages with level indications, using link layer protocols like LLDP, to determine their position within a hierarchical topology and subsequently provision themselves using protocols like RIFT.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual provisioning is used for routing nodes and server stacks, then human operators can directly configure devices, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone due to the vast number of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements autonomous self-provisioning where routing nodes and server stacks automatically discover their identities and configure their own routing rules through peer-to-peer message exchanges. Devices send discovery messages containing their identities, receive messages from neighboring devices, and autonomously determine their positions in the network topology without human intervention, thereby eliminating manual configuration errors and reducing provisioning time
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where devices periodically exchange discovery messages containing their identities and received message counts. Each device monitors the messages it receives from neighbors and uses this feedback information to autonomously determine its network position and configure routing rules, creating a closed-loop self-provisioning process that is both rapid and accurate
2Productivity
If manual provisioning is used for routing nodes and server stacks, then direct human control is maintained, but the process becomes complex and resource-consuming due to the vast number of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements autonomous self-provisioning where routing nodes and server stacks automatically discover their identities and configure their own routing rules through peer-to-peer message exchanges. Devices send discovery messages containing their identities, receive messages from neighboring devices, and autonomously determine their positions in the network topology without human intervention, thereby eliminating manual configuration errors and reducing provisioning time
Solution Approach 2:
The provisioning process is segmented into discrete autonomous actions performed by each device independently. Instead of a centralized complex provisioning process, each routing node and server stack independently executes discovery message sending, message receiving, identity determination, and routing rule configuration as separate modular steps, simplifying the overall system complexity while increasing provisioning speed
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, and methods may provide for robust and autonomous provisioning of routing nodes and/or server stacks within a network. For instance, each routing node and/or server stack may perform self-discovery (e.g., determines its own identity and where it has been placed in the network), and determine its role (e.g., how to route packets) within the network.