Partial Node Discovery for Network Element Data Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network management systems (NMS) face inefficiencies during system recovery, requiring full node discovery which is time-consuming and can degrade network performance due to high volumes of request-response transactions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a partial node discovery method that retrieves and updates sequence events by comparing saved and current sequence numbers between network elements (NEs) and the NMS, reducing the need for full reloads and enhancing data transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full node discovery is performed during NMS recovery, then data synchronization between NMS and NEs is achieved, but discovery time increases significantly and network performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the node discovery process into two types: full node discovery for initial setup and partial node discovery for recovery. During recovery, the NMS only performs partial discovery by requesting specific information from NEs based on saved sequence numbers, rather than performing complete discovery again. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining data synchronization reliability while significantly reducing discovery time during recovery operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by saving sequence numbers and discovery information in the NMS database during normal operation. When recovery is needed, these pre-saved values enable the NMS to quickly determine what information needs to be re-fetched from NEs, avoiding redundant discovery operations and reducing recovery time while maintaining data consistency.
2Reliability
If full node discovery is performed during NMS recovery, then all NE data is re-synchronized, but network management traffic increases and overall network performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary information re-synchronization during recovery by using saved sequence numbers to identify and fetch only missing or updated data from NEs, rather than transferring all NE data. This extraction approach maintains data synchronization reliability while minimizing network management traffic volume, thereby preserving overall network performance during recovery operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing partial node discovery instead of full node discovery during recovery. The NMS requests only the specific information needed for synchronization based on sequence number comparisons, avoiding the excessive action of re-transferring all NE data. This partial approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining necessary data synchronization while reducing network traffic impact and preserving network performance.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for improving network efficiency for data transfer utilizing partial node discovery a during system recovery are disclosed. Upon retrieving a saved last sequence number associated with a network element (“NE”) from a database in a network management system (“NMS”), a process of the partial node discovery obtains a current last sequence number associated with the NE from the NE. After identifying missing sequence numbers associated with the NE, sequence events associated with the NE in the database are updated in accordance with the missing sequence numbers.