Network Service API Standardizing Heterogeneous Device Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heterogeneous networks, it is challenging for network service providers to request and receive standardized data from network service devices manufactured by different manufacturers due to varying information formats and storage practices.
Innovation Solution
An application programming interface (API) is introduced that standardizes data across different network service devices by performing a self-discovery process during their initial boot sequence or network connection, gathering and storing information such as network topology, service capabilities, and service inventory in a standardized format, enabling consistent data sharing across devices from various manufacturers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If each manufacturer uses its own data format for network service devices, then each manufacturer can optimize data storage and retrieval for its specific devices, but it becomes difficult to request and receive standardized data from devices in a heterogeneous network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (data normalization service/API layer) that translates between manufacturer-specific data formats and a standardized network format. This intermediary enables heterogeneous devices to communicate using common standards while allowing each manufacturer to maintain their optimized internal data structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal data interface that can handle multiple manufacturer-specific formats through a single standardized API. This universal interface allows the same system to work with devices from different manufacturers without requiring separate handling logic for each format.
2Productivity
If network service devices store information in manufacturer-specific formats, then each device can be optimized for its manufacturer's requirements, but storing, tracking, and normalizing data across the network becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where devices automatically register their capabilities and data formats with the network system during initialization. The system automatically generates appropriate translation rules and normalization mappings without requiring manual configuration, reducing the complexity of data normalization across the network.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standardized data formats are enforced across all network service devices, then data compatibility and interoperability improve, but each manufacturer loses the ability to optimize data storage for their specific devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data storage system into two distinct layers: an internal manufacturer-specific layer for optimized storage and an external standardized layer for network communication. This segmentation allows each layer to independently optimize for its specific requirements without compromising the other.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application describes a standardized application programming interface for network service devices. The application programming interface may be provided to network service devices of different manufacturers. Each network service device may, upon an initial boot sequence, perform a self-discovery process and gather information in a standardized format required by the application programming interface. The standardized information may then be made available to a network service provider and to other network service devices on the network.