Automatic Communication Network Discovery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication network operators face challenges in maintaining accurate and detailed records of their network topology and elements, leading to inefficiencies in repair, upgrade, and management due to incomplete, erroneous, or outdated information, especially when records are not digitized or accessible.
Innovation Solution
The development of a system for automatic discovery of communication networks that leverages multiple data sources to determine network characteristics, including topology, element types, and power characteristics, using machine learning and artificial intelligence to supplement analytical analysis, even in networks with non-cooperative elements and those experiencing issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If manual record-keeping methods are used for network topology and elements, then operators can maintain some level of documentation, but the records become incomplete, erroneous, or outdated over time
Solution Approach 1:
The network elements themselves generate and provide diagnostic information about their state and characteristics. The system automatically collects data from network elements without requiring external manual intervention, allowing the network to self-document its topology and element status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously collects diagnostic information from network elements and updates network records in real-time. This feedback loop ensures records remain current by automatically detecting changes in network topology and element characteristics, then updating documentation accordingly.
2Measurement precision
If automated discovery systems are implemented to improve network record accuracy, then complete and up-to-date records are obtained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal diagnostic information that can be collected from various types of network elements (optical, electrical, wireless) through common interfaces and protocols. This multi-functional approach allows a single discovery system to handle diverse network technologies without requiring specialized complex subsystems for each element type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs intermediary components such as network probes, monitoring agents, and standardized communication protocols that facilitate data collection from network elements. These intermediaries simplify the discovery process by providing standardized access points to heterogeneous network elements, reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If comprehensive diagnostic information is collected from all network elements, then accurate network characteristics are determined, but the quantity of data and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential diagnostic information needed for network discovery and documentation from the available data sources. Rather than collecting and storing all possible data from network elements, it selectively extracts topology information, element characteristics, and status data that are critical for maintaining accurate network records.
Solution Approach 2:
The discovery process is segmented into multiple phases and layers, collecting data at different levels of detail as needed. The system divides network elements into groups and collects information hierarchically, processing and storing data in manageable segments rather than as a single large dataset.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for automatic discovery of a communication network including a hub, a plurality of termination devices, and a plurality of network elements. The method includes (a) associating respective geographic information with each termination device, (b) determining a respective distance of each termination device from the hub, (c) grouping, at least partially based on diagnostic information from the communication network, two or more of the plurality of termination devices sharing a common characteristic, (d) determining a topology of the communication network, and (e) determining a respective characteristic of at least one network element of the plurality of network elements.