Network Port Mapping Platform for Automated Availability Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking physical port connections in mobile networks are cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to error, especially with the increasing complexity of newer radio access technologies like 5G, leading to inefficient site planning and equipment management.
Innovation Solution
A mapping platform that receives site and node data to determine port availability, generates a visual model with status identifiers, and allows users to interactively reserve available ports, reducing reliance on on-site technicians and leveraging network analytics for automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection and tracking methods are used to monitor port connections, then technicians can identify port availability, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone as network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods with an automated electronic system that uses a mapping platform to track port connections. The system automatically discovers physical connections between network devices and maintains a digital mapping of port statuses, eliminating the need for technicians to manually inspect and record port connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping platform performs self-service by automatically discovering and tracking port connections without requiring technician intervention. The system autonomously monitors network devices, updates connection mappings, and provides real-time port availability information, enabling the network infrastructure to manage itself.
2Loss of information
If technicians manually track port connections using spreadsheets or paper records, then port availability can be documented, but the process is cumbersome and inefficient with increasing network scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual documentation systems (spreadsheets, paper records) with an automated electronic mapping platform that continuously discovers and tracks port connections. The system uses network protocols to automatically gather connection information and maintain an up-to-date digital mapping, eliminating manual data entry and reducing errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping platform implements continuous feedback by automatically monitoring network devices and updating port connection mappings in real-time. The system receives status information from network devices and continuously updates the digital mapping, ensuring that port availability information remains accurate and current without manual intervention.
3Reliability
If visual inspection methods are used to identify available ports, then technicians can determine port status, but the process is prone to error and does not account for reserved ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces unreliable visual inspection with an automated electronic mapping system that programmatically determines port availability. The system uses network protocols to query device status, detect physical connections, and cross-reference with reservation databases, providing reliable port availability determination without human error.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping platform acts as an intermediary between network devices and technicians. It gathers connection information from devices, processes the data against reservation information, and presents reliable port availability status to users, eliminating the need for technicians to directly inspect and interpret physical port states.
4Loss of information
If piecemeal data from multiple sources is gathered to determine port availability, then comprehensive information can be obtained, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data sources (device status information, physical connection data, reservation information) into a unified mapping platform. The system consolidates these previously separate information streams into a single integrated view of port availability, eliminating the need to separately gather and compile data from multiple sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping platform implements continuous feedback loops that automatically gather and integrate data from multiple sources in real-time. The system continuously queries network devices for status information, monitors physical connections, and updates the unified mapping, providing comprehensive port status information without manual data compilation.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may receive site property data relating to a site including information relating to a network device associated with the site and a layout of one or more ports of the network device; receive node data relating to a node associated with the site including information relating to one or more physical connections between the node and the ports of the network device; determine availabilities of the ports of the network device based on the physical connections; map the layout of the ports to an image coordinate system associating the ports with respective image coordinates; generate a visual model of the ports of the network device based on the layout and the respective image coordinates including status identifiers indicative of the availabilities of the ports; and cause an action to be performed based on the visual model and the status identifiers.