Automated Network Port Troubleshooting in Switching Fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data center fabric management systems cannot automatically diagnose or fix issues with network ports, requiring manual intervention by administrators to identify and resolve problems.
Innovation Solution
A system that automatically troubleshoots issues within a switching fabric by receiving messages from hardware devices, performing diagnostic operations, generating reports, and potentially redeploying configurations to resolve problems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual intervention is used to diagnose and fix network port issues, then troubleshooting accuracy can be maintained, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to time-consuming manual processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-diagnosis and self-remediation of network port issues. The fabric manager automatically collects diagnostic data, analyzes problems, and applies fixes without requiring manual administrator intervention, allowing the system to service itself
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automated diagnostics and analysis when issues are detected, preparing troubleshooting actions in advance before full remediation is required. This includes automatically gathering port statistics, error counters, and configuration data to prepare for potential fixes
2Productivity
If automated troubleshooting operations are implemented, then operational efficiency improves, but system complexity increases due to additional diagnostic and remediation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric manager is designed to perform multiple functions including normal fabric management, automated diagnostics, problem analysis, and remediation execution. This multi-functional approach consolidates troubleshooting capabilities within the existing management infrastructure rather than requiring separate dedicated systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines diagnostic data collection, problem analysis, and remediation execution into a single integrated automated workflow within the fabric manager. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate tools and interfaces that would otherwise increase system complexity
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive diagnostic operations are performed, then problem detection accuracy improves, but time consumption increases due to extensive analysis requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously collects and pre-processes diagnostic data including port statistics, error counters, and configuration information during normal operation. When issues are detected, this pre-collected data is immediately available for rapid analysis, eliminating the need for time-consuming data gathering during troubleshooting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical troubleshooting processes with automated electronic diagnostics and analysis. The fabric manager automatically queries hardware devices, processes diagnostic data, and identifies problems through electronic means, significantly reducing the time compared to manual inspection and analysis
Data Source
AI summary
A system to facilitate troubleshooting a hardware device in a network switching fabric is described. The system includes a processor and a machine readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive a message from a hardware device indicating that a problem has been detected at the device, perform a troubleshooting operation to determine the problem at the hardware device and generate a report including the results of the troubleshooting operation.