SD-OAM Network Management Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current approaches for deploying and managing enterprise networks are complex and time-consuming, requiring extensive configuration and administration by skilled engineers, and are hindered by the integration of wired and wireless devices, mobility, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) capabilities, and the challenges posed by Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and Wi-Fi access.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of Software Defined Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (SD-OAM) systems, which utilize Software Defined Service Assurance Points (SD-SAPs) to collect and analyze local status, statistics, and analytics from device nodes, and communicate with a controller to trigger automated workflows for service assurance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual configuration and administration by skilled network engineers is used to deploy and manage enterprise networks, then network security and reliability can be maintained, but the complexity of deployment and management increases significantly and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork securityVSAvoiddeployment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network system performs self-configuration, self-diagnosis, and self-healing through automated workflows. Service assurance points continuously monitor network conditions and automatically trigger remediation actions without human intervention, enabling the network to manage itself while maintaining security through embedded policy enforcement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A centralized controller acts as an intermediary between network devices and management functions. The controller coordinates service assurance points, workflows, and policy enforcement across the network, simplifying management complexity by providing a single point of control while maintaining security through centralized policy management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If manual configuration and administration by skilled network engineers is used to deploy and manage enterprise networks, then proper network management can be achieved, but the time required for deployment and management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork managementVSAvoiddeployment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Service assurance points are pre-configured with diagnostic capabilities and automated workflows are pre-defined with remediation actions. When issues are detected, the system immediately executes pre-prepared workflows, eliminating the need for manual troubleshooting and significantly reducing resolution time while simplifying operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously collects network performance data through service assurance points and provides real-time feedback to the controller. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of network parameters and triggers remediation workflows, improving ease of operation by providing visibility and automated response without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If automated workflows are implemented for service assurance, then the need for manual intervention is reduced and productivity increases, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork operations efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system is segmented into independent functional modules: service assurance points for monitoring, workflow engines for coordination, and remediation modules for execution. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently configured and maintained, reducing system complexity while enabling high productivity through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3881495B1Algorithmic problem identification and resolution in fabric networks by software defined operations, administration, and maintenance
Publication Date: 2025.03.12 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP3881495B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3881495B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3881495B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Systems and methods provide for algorithmic problem identification and resolution in fabric networks by software defined operation, administration, and maintenance.