Automated Network Element Repair via Configuration Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for repairing and maintaining network elements in computer networks are time-consuming and prone to errors, often requiring significant human intervention, which can lead to further issues and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An automated system, such as an Automated Repair Tool (ART), that receives notifications of network errors, retrieves network plans, and allocates resources to automatically correct issues or notify engineers for maintenance, thereby reducing human interaction and improving repair efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual troubleshooting and repair methods are used for network elements, then human engineers can diagnose and fix issues, but the process becomes time-consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables network elements to automatically diagnose and repair themselves without human intervention. The network element receiving the alarm autonomously compares its configuration against the network plan, identifies mismatches, and executes repairs by adjusting its configuration, thereby serving itself rather than relying on external human engineers.
Solution Approach 2:
The network element proactively compares its current configuration status against the planned network configuration before issues escalate. By continuously monitoring and comparing configurations against the network plan, the system detects deviations early and can initiate automatic repair processes before complete service failure occurs.
2Productivity
If more human interaction is required for network repair, then complex issues can be addressed with human judgment, but errors are introduced into the system and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates human involvement in the repair process by enabling network elements to automatically diagnose configuration mismatches and execute repairs themselves. This self-service approach completely removes human-induced errors from the equation while dramatically improving repair efficiency through automated, consistent execution of repair procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where network elements monitor their own configuration status, compare it against the network plan, and automatically adjust their configuration when mismatches are detected. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures repairs are executed accurately without human intervention, eliminating human error while maintaining high productivity.
3Productivity
If automated repair mechanisms are implemented, then repair speed and consistency improve, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automation leverages existing network management infrastructure and configuration data already present in the network. By utilizing existing network plans and configuration management systems, the solution achieves high automated repair speed without requiring entirely new complex systems, thereby minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and non-computer-readable storage media for repairing a Network Element (NE) to transport data within a network. When a NE on the network encounters an error, such as a port not receiving data, that NE will issue an alarm. Unlike previous mechanisms for resolving the alarm, systems configured according to this disclosure provide for an automatic mechanism to repair the alarm. In some instances, this can mean automatically deploying resources to re-connect the NE according to a network plan. In other instances this can mean verifying the status of the NE matches a planned status (i.e., that the loss of signal, and the subsequent alarm, were planned for). If neither of these actions resolves the problems of the NE, the system can issue a notification for a network engineer to perform maintenance on the NE.