Network Subscription Control via Independent Management Controllers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network devices in distributed systems face challenges in aligning traffic forwarding preferences with desired deployment goals, leading to potential operational inefficiencies and vulnerabilities due to manual configuration and lack of robust subscription enforcement.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a management controller that operates independently from the control and data planes to enforce subscription limits through an intermediate representation, allowing network devices to configure themselves based on predefined criteria and monitor operations to ensure compliance with subscription limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual configuration is used for network devices, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment with deployment goals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork device configuration complexityVSAvoidalignment with deployment goals

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The network device is enabled to automatically configure its traffic forwarding preferences by receiving deployment goals from the management system and autonomously determining configuration parameters, eliminating manual configuration while ensuring alignment with deployment objectives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The management system receives information about current network operations and compares it against deployment goals, then provides feedback configurations to adjust traffic forwarding preferences, creating a closed-loop system that maintains alignment without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If subscription limits are enforced through traditional methods, then service control is achieved, but vulnerability to malicious activities increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice control efficiencyVSAvoidresistance to malicious activities

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the management plane from the data plane, with subscription limit enforcement implemented as a distinct function that operates independently from traffic forwarding operations, reducing the attack surface and improving security against malicious activities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediate representation layer is introduced between the subscription definitions and the actual enforcement mechanisms, providing an additional security layer that validates and mediates subscription limit applications, thereby reducing vulnerability to malicious inputs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If network devices operate independently without management control, then operational autonomy is improved, but alignment with service goals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational autonomyVSAvoidalignment with service goals

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic configuration where network devices operate autonomously based on received deployment goals, but can be remotely adjusted by the management system when goal changes occur, balancing operational autonomy with goal alignment through time-varying control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12609874B2Dynamic subscription based management of networks for computing systems

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Methods and systems for managing the operation of a deployment are provided. The deployment may be managed in accordance with a subscription model. The subscription model may use subscriptions to define the extent and limits on use of services provided by the deployment. The subscription services and limits may be enforced by management controllers of network devices of the deployment. The management controllers may operate independently from control planes and data planes of the network devices.