Automated Network Port Configuration for Data Center Connection Errors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of servers and switches in data centers leads to a higher likelihood of erroneous physical wire connections during system construction, resulting in increased work and restoration efforts.
Innovation Solution
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that detects connection relationships between servers and communication devices, compares physical and design information to identify errors, applies predetermined settings to correct erroneous connections, and updates design information based on physical connections, allowing system operation without restoring physical wire connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual physical wire connection is performed by operators during system construction, then connection flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but the amount of work increases and error probability increases as the number of servers and switches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects physical wire connections using network discovery protocols and self-configures logical settings without requiring manual operator intervention. The connection detection unit autonomously identifies connection relationships between servers and switches, and the setting application unit automatically applies appropriate logical settings, enabling the system to service itself during construction and deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical wire connection operations with automated network-based detection and configuration systems. Instead of operators physically tracing and configuring connections, the system uses network packets and protocols to automatically detect connection relationships and apply settings, substituting mechanical manual operations with electronic automation.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual physical wire connection is performed by operators, then initial connection setup is possible, but error probability increases and restoration work increases as the number of servers or switches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by automatically detecting actual physical connection relationships and comparing them against intended configurations. The connection detection unit periodically queries network devices to verify connection status, and when discrepancies are detected, the system automatically applies corrective logical settings to maintain reliable operation despite physical connection variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-configuring multiple logical settings that can accommodate various physical connection scenarios. The system prepares alternative logical configurations in advance that can be automatically applied when physical connections differ from expected patterns, cushioning against the harmful effects of connection errors before they impact system operation.
3Device complexity
If logical settings are applied based on design information without verifying actual physical connections, then system configuration is simplified, but erroneous physical wire connections cannot be detected and corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial verification by detecting connection relationships for specific port pairs rather than comprehensively verifying all possible connections. The connection detection unit focuses on detecting connections relevant to current operational needs, applying settings based on detected connections rather than requiring complete physical topology verification, thus balancing complexity and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute a process, the process includes detecting connection relationship between a server and a communication device that belong to a system to generate physical connection information indicating the connection relationship; referring to design information related to connection of the server and the communication device to compare the physical connection information and the design information to determine presence or absence of an error in the connection relationship; determining whether a predetermined setting corresponding to the design information is applicable to a port of the communication device corresponding to the connection relationship determined as erroneous; applying the predetermined setting to the port of the communication device to which the predetermined setting has been determined as applicable; and changing the design information related to the communication device to which the predetermined setting has been applied, based on the physical connection information.