Network Protocol Configuration Automation via Event Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network protocol management is challenging due to the complexity of configuring and managing large-scale networks, where small errors can cause widespread issues, and distinguishing between protocol misconfigurations and hardware or software failures is difficult, requiring comprehensive analysis across multiple layers.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that represent network components and their relationships, map events to observable events, and perform root-cause analysis by distinguishing between protocol and component events, using a model-based approach to automate network configuration and operation management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration and monitoring of network protocols is performed by administrators, then network operation can be controlled and adjusted, but significant skill, effort and time are required, and errors can render network inoperative for unacceptable lengths of time
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated protocol entity configuration and monitoring. The protocol entity automatically discovers network components, configures itself based on discovered topology, and monitors its own operation, eliminating the need for manual administrator intervention in routine tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the protocol entity monitors network conditions, automatically adjusts configuration parameters based on observed performance, and triggers reconfiguration when changes are detected. This closed-loop control ensures network reliability while minimizing manual intervention time.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive analysis across multiple layers is performed to distinguish protocol misconfigurations from hardware or software failures, then accurate problem identification is achieved, but the complexity and time required for diagnosis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the diagnosis process into distinct layers corresponding to OSI model layers. Each layer is analyzed independently for specific types of failures, allowing precise problem identification without requiring complex cross-layer analysis. The protocol entity separately monitors layer 1 physical connectivity, layer 2 data link issues, and layer 3 protocol misconfigurations.
3Quantity of substance
If network size grows to hundreds and thousands of elements, then network capacity and functionality increase, but the challenge to configure and manage protocol entities is significantly exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
Each protocol entity in the large-scale network performs self-service by automatically discovering its own configuration parameters and network topology. When new elements are added or existing elements change, the affected protocol entities autonomously detect these changes and reconfigure themselves, eliminating the need for administrators to manually manage each entity in large networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration actions automatically during network setup and subsequent changes. Protocol entities pre-discover network topology and pre-configure themselves before full operation begins, and continuously monitor for changes that would require reconfiguration, maintaining ease of operation even as network size grows to thousands of elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for operating on a system containing a plurality of components in communication using at least one communication protocol is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of representing selected ones of the plurality of components, the relationship among the components and the associated communication protocols, determining a mapping between a plurality of events and a plurality of observable events occurring among the components and among the communication protocols, wherein the mapping is represented as a value associating each event with each observable event, and performing the operation in conjunction with the events and observable events, wherein events associated with the communication protocols are distinguished from events associated with the components. The operations may be selected from the group of monitoring, discovering, managing, analyzing and displaying the components associated with the multicast protocols.