Programmable Auto-Rollback for Remote Network Reachability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile network configurations, particularly in vCSRs, face challenges with disruptive and toxic configurations that lead to loss of connectivity, necessitating manual intervention and high operational costs due to the inability to automatically rollback to a safe state.
Innovation Solution
A system and method implementing a device-specific operational check ecosystem in the Network Operating System (NOS) that allows remote configuration with automatic rollback to a previous state if connectivity is impacted, using a user-programmable interface for fail-safe mode and operational checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If remote configuration changes are applied to vCSR devices, then network adaptability and operational flexibility are improved, but the risk of connectivity loss and service disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by saving the current configuration before applying changes and by executing operational checks before committing new configurations. This ensures that if connectivity is lost, the system can roll back to the previous working state, thus maintaining reliability while enabling adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms through operational checks that verify connectivity and service status after configuration changes. If checks fail, the system automatically rolls back the configuration, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains reliability while allowing flexible configuration updates.
2Ease of operation
If manual intervention is required for configuration rollbacks, then operational control is maintained, but operational cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting connectivity issues, executing rollback procedures, and restoring previous configurations without requiring manual intervention. This maintains operational control through automated decision-making while significantly reducing operational time and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accelerates the rollback process by automatically detecting configuration failures and immediately executing rollback procedures, transforming a potentially lengthy manual process into a rapid automated operation that minimizes service disruption time.
3Productivity
If configuration changes are applied without operational checks, then configuration speed is improved, but the risk of toxic configurations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system executes operational checks as a preliminary action before committing configuration changes. This verifies that the configuration will not cause connectivity loss or service disruption, allowing fast configuration deployment while preventing toxic configurations from being applied.
4Device complexity
If vCSR replaces physical router, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but configuration safety and reachability protection are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The vCSR system implements self-service configuration safety through automated operational checks and rollback mechanisms built into the software platform. This provides configuration safety without requiring additional physical hardware, maintaining the simplicity advantage while enhancing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer of software-based operational checks and validation mechanisms between configuration input and application. This software intermediary ensures configuration safety and reachability protection without adding physical device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for providing a set of operational checks to be implemented prior to configuration changes being made in a mobile network that includes a user computer connected to a management configuration system and connected to a data center having a storage and to a computer located at a remote cell site. The management configuration system provides for saving of an existing system configuration, and the automatic execution of a script that comprises a set of user-specified and programmed operational checks to ensure a new system configuration is valid prior to implementation of the new configuration on the system, where if the new configuration fails the operational checks, the system automatically rolls back to the previous configuration.