Network Topology Consolidation Using Management Domain Identifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network management products struggle to consolidate network topology data across different companies with duplicate IP addresses, as they use IP addresses as keys in their databases, leading to inability to store unique network elements with the same IP address from different customers in a single topology.
Innovation Solution
Assigning a unique management domain identifier to each collection computer, allowing the management computer to maintain and consolidate network topology information using this identifier, thereby differentiating between duplicate IP addresses across different management domains and merging information from collection computers within the same domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If IP address is used as a key in the database to store network elements, then network elements can be stored efficiently, but duplicate IP addresses from different customers cannot be stored in a single topology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network management system into separate management domains, each with its own database. Each domain stores network elements with unique IP addresses locally, avoiding conflicts. The management station then consolidates data from multiple domains, segmenting the storage responsibility while enabling comprehensive network visibility across customer boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The management station acts as an intermediary between multiple collection stations. It receives topology data from collection stations in different management domains, resolves duplicate IP addresses by comparing domain identifiers, and consolidates the data into a unified network map. This intermediary function enables the system to handle duplicate IPs without compromising storage efficiency in individual domains.
2Adaptability or versatility
If collection stations are deployed at different customer sites with duplicate IP addresses, then comprehensive network monitoring is achieved, but network management products cannot store unique network elements with the same IP address from different customers in a single topology
Solution Approach 1:
Each management domain is assigned a unique domain identifier that qualifies IP addresses within that domain. The domain identifier becomes part of the key structure, making IP addresses unique within each domain while allowing duplicates across domains. This local quality approach maintains deployment flexibility while ensuring reliable identification of network elements across multiple customer sites.
3Loss of information
If network topology data from multiple collection stations is consolidated, then a comprehensive network view is achieved, but duplicate IP addresses cause conflicts in the topology data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to the data structure by introducing management domain identifiers. This additional dimension allows the system to distinguish between network elements with duplicate IP addresses based on their domain membership. The expanded key structure (IP address + domain identifier) resolves conflicts while maintaining comprehensive topology information without significantly increasing processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are described for managing a computer network. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a collection computer is assigned a management domain identifier uniquely associated with a management domain in which each collection computer resides. Information that includes the management domain identifier is received in at least one management computer from the collection computer. A database of the information accessed using the management domain identifier is maintained within the at least one management computer.