Remote Link Aggregation Formation from Connectivity Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network devices require manual configuration and technical knowledge to form link aggregation groups (LAGs), which is an advanced feature that many users lack, leading to inefficiencies in bandwidth utilization.
Innovation Solution
A device management system (DMS) automatically forms LAGs by discovering local link configurations, applying grouping criteria, and sending configuration commands to devices, enabling remote formation without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual configuration is used to form LAGs, then user control and precision are improved, but operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables devices to automatically discover their own link configurations and form LAGs without requiring manual user intervention. The device management system autonomously receives deployment information, applies grouping criteria, generates configuration commands, and sends them to devices, making the system self-organizing and eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex LAG parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The device management system acts as an intermediary between users and network devices. Instead of users directly configuring LAGs on devices, the management system receives deployment information, processes it according to grouping criteria, generates appropriate configuration commands, and transmits them to the devices, thereby simplifying the operational interface while maintaining configuration precision.
2Ease of operation
If automated LAG formation is implemented, then operational ease and time efficiency are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the LAG formation process into distinct segments: (1) receiving deployment information from devices, (2) applying grouping criteria to identify suitable links, (3) generating configuration commands based on the analysis, and (4) sending commands to devices. This segmentation allows the management system to handle complexity systematically while presenting a simple automated interface to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where devices send deployment information about their link configurations to the management system. The management system uses this feedback to determine which links can be aggregated, generates appropriate configuration commands, and sends them back to the devices. This feedback loop enables automated decision-making while keeping the system architecture manageable through iterative processing.
3Ease of operation
If remote management is used, then ease of operation and accessibility are improved, but loss of information about local configurations may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by having devices send their local link configuration information to the management system before LAG formation begins. The management system receives and stores this deployment information, then uses it as the basis for determining which links can be aggregated. This preliminary information gathering ensures that remote management has complete and accurate local configuration data before making any decisions, preventing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback mechanism where devices continuously provide deployment information about their local link configurations to the management system. The management system processes this feedback, applies grouping criteria, and generates configuration commands based on the received information. This ongoing feedback loop ensures that remote management systems maintain accurate and up-to-date knowledge of local configurations, eliminating the risk of information loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for facilitating auto-formation of link aggregations is provided. During operation, the system can obtain information associated with connectivity between a first device and a second device. The system can remotely provide network configurations to the first and second devices via a network. If the connectivity includes a plurality of links, the system can identify a subset of links of the plurality of links that can be configured as a Link Aggregation Group (LAG) based on a set of grouping criteria for selecting a respective link for the LAG. The system can then generate respective configuration commands executable at the first and second devices for generating the LAG based on the information associated with connectivity. Subsequently, the system can send the respective configuration commands to the first and second devices. The configuration commands can facilitate the formation of the LAG at the first and second devices.