Automatic Discovery of Packet Switching Architectural Roles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual specification of architectural roles for packet switching devices in networks is tedious and error-prone, complicating network management and operations.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that automatically discovers architectural roles by retrieving and analyzing configuration information of packet switching devices, identifying operational details to determine their roles, such as provider core, user-facing, or network-facing edge devices, using keyword matching against predetermined rules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual specification of architectural roles is used, then network management can be performed, but the process is tedious and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of architectural role identificationVSAvoidcomplexity of configuration process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The packet switching device automatically performs the architectural role identification process by analyzing its own configuration information and operational details, eliminating the need for manual specification and reducing human error

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the state of architectural role identification from static manual input to dynamic automatic discovery by retrieving and analyzing configuration parameters and operational details

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If automatic discovery is implemented, then errors are reduced and efficiency is enhanced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of discovery system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic discovery mechanism leverages existing multi-functional components within the packet switching device, including configuration retrieval systems and operational detail analyzers, to perform architectural role identification without adding dedicated separate systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses configuration information and operational details as intermediary data structures that bridge the existing device components and the architectural role identification process, simplifying the integration complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8391168B2Automatically discovering architectural roles of packet switching devices

Publication Date: 2013.03.05 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Network architectural roles of packet switching devices are automatically determined by retrieving and analyzing configuration information of the packet switching devices. The retrieved configuration information typically includes operational details of the packet switching operations performed by the packet switching device, with these retrieved operational details being analyzed in order to identify one or more network architectural roles being performed by a particular packet switching device. Examples of such identified network architectural role include, but are not limited to, a customer edge device, a provider edge device, and a user-facing provider edge device. Knowing the architectural role performed by a packet switching device is useful for operations, administration, maintenance and provisioning of networks of these packet switching devices.