Network Discovery Service for Automated Configuration Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring nodes in a computer network can be cumbersome and error-prone, leading to performance degradation due to misconfigurations, which are difficult to identify in networks with many nodes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network discovery service that automatically discovers and compares configuration parameters across nodes, identifying mismatches and allowing for automatic correction or reporting to prevent performance issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual configuration of network nodes is performed, then configuration flexibility is maintained, but configuration time and error rate increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-configuration by automatically discovering network topology, collecting configuration parameters from all nodes, comparing them against expected values, and identifying mismatches without human intervention. This self-service approach eliminates manual configuration errors and reduces time consumption while maintaining configuration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring network configurations, comparing actual configurations with expected configurations, and providing feedback about mismatches. This feedback loop enables automatic detection and correction of configuration errors, improving both accuracy and efficiency.
2Reliability
If manual configuration verification is performed in large networks, then configuration accuracy can be checked, but the complexity and time required increase exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The verification process is segmented into distinct automated stages: topology discovery, parameter collection, expected configuration generation, comparison, and mismatch identification. Each stage handles a specific aspect of verification independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining comprehensive reliability checking across the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical verification processes with automated electronic systems. Software agents automatically traverse the network, collect configurations, and perform comparisons, substituting human operators with automated mechanisms that scale efficiently regardless of network size.
3Reliability
If comprehensive network configuration monitoring is implemented across all nodes, then misconfigurations can be detected early, but the system resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial monitoring by focusing verification efforts on critical configuration parameters and nodes that are most likely to cause network failures. Rather than uniformly monitoring all parameters on all nodes, the system prioritizes verification of essential configurations, achieving reliable detection with reduced resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more nodes on a network can run a network discovery service to obtain information regarding network configuration parameters for the nodes on the network by passively listening for packets received on one or more ports. The discovered network configuration data can be used to identify a configuration for various types of nodes. The configuration can then be used to facilitate checking, testing, or self-configuration of a network configuration of one of the nodes (e.g., a lead node or a new node).