Network Health Management via Switch Forwarding Table Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity and dynamic nature of data communication networks, driven by bandwidth demands and virtualization, pose challenges in managing network resources effectively, particularly in adapting to changing traffic patterns and supporting cloud computing and mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A network management system that receives health messages from network switches to assess the network's health and determine the viability of new configurations, using parameters like forwarding table utilization, to ensure that configuration requests can be satisfied without overloading the network, utilizing software-defined networking and OpenFlow architecture for sophisticated traffic management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static, hierarchical network switch architectures are used, then network management structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to dynamic traffic patterns and cloud computing needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic network management by enabling network switches to automatically adjust their configuration and behavior based on real-time traffic patterns and network conditions. The system monitors network health continuously and adapts routing, bandwidth allocation, and resource distribution dynamically, transforming the static hierarchical architecture into a dynamic, self-adjusting network that can respond to changing demands without increasing management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where network switches continuously monitor their own health status, forwarding table utilization, and traffic patterns, then report this information to a centralized management system. The management system analyzes this feedback and automatically adjusts network configuration accordingly, enabling the network to adapt to dynamic conditions through closed-loop control without requiring complex manual management.
2Productivity
If network configuration changes are deployed without assessment, then deployment speed is fast, but network health and performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary assessment of network configuration changes before deployment. The system evaluates current network health status, forecasts the impact of proposed configurations using machine learning models, and predicts potential adverse effects before actual deployment. This preliminary action ensures that only safe configuration changes are deployed, maintaining network reliability while enabling rapid deployment of validated changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by identifying and preventing potentially harmful configuration changes before they can negatively impact network health. The system uses health message analysis and predictive modeling to detect configuration requests that would degrade network performance or stability, and automatically blocks or modifies these requests before deployment, thus preventing adverse effects rather than reacting to them afterward.
3Quantity of substance
If forwarding tables are fully utilized, then network capacity is maximized, but the network loses ability to accommodate new traffic patterns and virtualization demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic forwarding table management that continuously monitors utilization levels and automatically adjusts table allocation and configuration. When forwarding tables approach full utilization, the system dynamically reconfigures table entries, consolidates routing information, and prioritizes critical traffic patterns. This dynamic management allows the network to maintain high capacity utilization while preserving adaptability to new traffic patterns and virtualization demands through automated optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for network health and management. Intelligent assessments of a current or new network configuration can be performed based on a health of the network that is derived using health messages that are indicative of the utilization of one or more forwarding tables in a plurality of network switches.