OEM Identification for Rebranded Network Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rebranded network devices are difficult to manage using the brand manufacturer's programmatic interface, as it is often missing or limited, and does not provide the quality of interface offered by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)'s interface, due to the lack of identification of the OEM in standard SNMP fields.
Innovation Solution
A method that obtains manufacturer data from a device using SNMP, filters a list of manufacturers based on standards organization data, ranks system object identifications by data quantity, and matches serial number and MAC address formats to determine the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), allowing for better management and retrieval of extended data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard SNMP fields are used to identify manufacturers, then device management is simplified, but the ability to identify the original equipment manufacturer is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the manufacturer identification process into multiple independent verification steps: checking the brand manufacturer field, filtering by device type, validating serial number formats, and cross-referencing with known OEM databases. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity in using standard SNMP fields while systematically recovering lost OEM information through multiple validation layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification system that acts as a mediator between the brand manufacturer field and the actual OEM. This intermediary layer includes validation rules, format checking mechanisms, and cross-reference databases that determine whether the brand manufacturer field accurately reflects the true OEM, thereby resolving the information loss without requiring changes to standard SNMP protocols.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rebranded devices use the brand manufacturer's programmatic interface, then interface consistency is maintained, but data quality and functionality are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic interface selection mechanism that adapts based on device identification. After determining the true OEM through the verification process, the system dynamically switches to the appropriate programmatic interface - using the brand manufacturer's interface for basic operations while accessing the OEM's extended interface for advanced data retrieval and management functions, thus maintaining consistency where needed while accessing richer data when available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal management framework that can operate through multiple manufacturer interfaces simultaneously. The system is designed to work with both the brand manufacturer's simplified interface and the OEM's comprehensive interface, selecting the appropriate one based on the device type and available data, thereby achieving multi-functionality that preserves interface consistency while accessing high-quality data.
3Measurement precision
If multiple manufacturer data items are collected from rebranded devices, then identification accuracy is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing validation rules and format patterns for serial numbers, MAC addresses, and device type classifications before the actual identification process. These pre-defined criteria enable rapid verification of manufacturer data without requiring complex real-time analysis, thus improving identification accuracy while keeping data processing complexity manageable through advance preparation of validation logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously verify and refine the identification results. The system cross-checks multiple data items (serial number format, MAC address OUI, device type) and adjusts the identified OEM based on consistency across all data sources. This feedback loop ensures high identification accuracy while managing processing complexity by only performing additional verification steps when inconsistencies are detected.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems obtain manufacturer data from a device being evaluated. The manufacturer data includes a system description, a system object identification, and a device-type description. The system description includes a serial number having a format. The system object identification includes a standards manufacturer field established by a standards organization. The methods/systems evaluate the standards manufacturer field to identify the manufacturer, and rank multiple system object identifications based on the quantity of data within each system object identification. Additionally, the methods/systems match the format of the serial number to known manufacturer serial number formats. The foregoing allows the methods/systems to determine the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the evaluated device based on the manufacturer appearing in the data string, the rank for each system object identification, and the manufacturer appearing in the serial number format match.