Network Service Gateway for Transparent Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional network service mapping to transport options is complex, inconsistent, and configuration-intensive, requiring expensive administrators and leading to increased costs and potential network disturbances.

Innovation Solution

The system facilitates transparent service mapping across multiple network transport options through modules such as identification, creation, mapping, and provisioning, simplifying the configuration and maintenance needs by abstracting the intricacies of network services and transport logic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional manual mapping solutions are used, then network service mapping can be performed, but the complexity and configuration intensity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of service mapping configurationVSAvoidmapping solution complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network service gateway as an intermediary component that automatically performs service mapping between network services and transport options. This gateway acts as a mediator that translates service requirements into appropriate transport configurations without requiring manual administrator intervention, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining mapping functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service automated mapping where the network service gateway autonomously performs service mapping based on service characteristics and transport options. The gateway automatically discovers services, analyzes their requirements, and configures appropriate transport mappings without external human intervention, eliminating the need for expensive administrators with vast knowledge

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If traditional manual mapping solutions are used, then network service mapping can be performed, but operational costs increase due to requiring expensive administrators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice mapping reliabilityVSAvoidoperational cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The network service gateway implements self-service automated mapping that operates autonomously without requiring expensive human administrators. The system automatically discovers network services, analyzes their transport requirements, and configures appropriate mappings, thereby maintaining reliability while dramatically reducing operational costs by eliminating the need for highly specialized personnel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the network service gateway continuously monitors service performance and transport conditions, automatically adjusting mappings based on observed behavior. This feedback loop ensures reliable service mapping while maintaining automation, as the system learns from operational data rather than requiring constant human oversight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional mapping solutions are used, then network services can be mapped to transport options, but network disturbances and downtime may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport option adaptabilityVSAvoidnetwork service continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network service gateway implements dynamic service mapping that can adapt in real-time to changing network conditions and service requirements. The automated system continuously adjusts transport mappings based on current state, enabling the network to respond dynamically to failures or changes without causing disturbances or downtime, thereby maintaining both adaptability and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs prior cushioning by pre-configuring multiple transport options and backup paths for network services. The network service gateway maintains readiness with alternative transport configurations that can be activated immediately if primary options fail, cushioning against potential disturbances and ensuring service continuity without requiring reactive manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3503482B1Systems and methods for facilitating transparent service mapping across multiple network transport options
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC
  • EP3503482B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3503482B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3503482B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (1) identifying a plurality of network paths within a network, (2) identifying a plurality of network services offered via the network, (3) creating a virtual path topology that represents a select grouping of the network paths that (A) originate from a single ingress node within the network and (B) lead to a plurality of egress nodes within the network, (4) mapping at least one of the network services to the virtual path topology, and (5) providing the at least one of the network services to at least one computing device via at least one of the network paths included in the select grouping represented by the virtual path topology. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.