Network Management Apparatus Dry Run Script Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated operations in large-scale networks are prone to failures due to human errors in inputting parameters for production environments, leading to network failures.

Innovation Solution

A network management apparatus that acquires and runs automation scripts with input parameters, featuring a dry run mode that skips network configuration changes and verifies parameter normality, allowing for safe execution in production mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automation scripts are run in production environment with input parameters, then operational efficiency is improved, but human errors in parameter inputting cause network failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dry run mode that executes automation scripts before actual production execution. This preliminary action allows the system to validate parameters and detect potential errors without making actual network configuration changes, thereby preventing human errors from causing network failures while maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification step between parameter input and script execution. The dry run mode acts as a mediator that checks parameter validity and script compatibility before the actual production run, preventing erroneous parameters from directly impacting network stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If dry run mode is implemented to verify parameters, then operational safety is improved, but execution time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidexecution time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The dry run mode implements partial action by executing only the verification portion of the automation script without performing actual network configuration changes. This allows parameter validation to be performed efficiently without the full overhead of complete script execution, reducing the time penalty while maintaining operational safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12126493B2Network management apparatus, network management method and network management system

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 RAKUTEN MOBILE INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a network management apparatus, comprising: a script acquisition unit configured to acquire a script for automating an operation related to operating a network; a parameter acquisition unit configured to acquire an input parameter that is required to run the script acquired by the script acquisition unit in a production environment of the script and a run mode in the production environment; and a script running unit configured to run the script acquired by the script acquisition unit according to the run mode acquired by the parameter acquisition unit using the input parameter acquired by the parameter acquisition unit, and, when the run mode is a dry run mode, the script running unit skipping a process of changing configuration of the network among processes described in the script, and running the script in the production environment.