SDN Event Manager for Custom Network Events
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network management systems, such as EEM, do not support handling of custom or arbitrary events, limiting network devices' ability to respond to user-specified events and only processing local events within the switch, which restricts their programmability and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to launch an application in a container independent from the network device's traffic management component, allowing it to register for and respond to custom network events, publish these events across the network, and execute functions on the device, enabling programmability for arbitrary events within a software defined networking environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional network management systems like EEM are used, then network devices can respond to pre-configured events, but they cannot handle custom or arbitrary events defined by users
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independent components: event detectors that monitor network conditions, an event manager that processes events, and action processors that execute responses. This segmentation allows custom events to be handled without redesigning the entire system, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The event manager is designed as a universal component that can handle both traditional pre-configured events and custom arbitrary events through a unified interface. This multi-functionality enables the system to adapt to different event types without requiring separate specialized systems, maintaining simplicity while enhancing versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If EEM processes only local events within the switch, then the system remains simple, but network devices cannot respond to arbitrary user-specified events across the network
Solution Approach 1:
An event manager acts as an intermediary layer between local event sources and remote action processors. This mediator enables events to be published and subscribed to across the network, allowing custom events to be handled beyond the local switch while maintaining a clear separation of concerns and manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from processing only local events to handling network-wide events by adding a network dimension to event processing. Events can be published by one device and subscribed to by multiple devices across the network, expanding the event scope without proportionally increasing local device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network hardware is configured using external applications and console connections, then the hardware itself remains simple, but programmability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The network device includes an embedded event manager that enables self-service programmability. Users can define custom events and actions directly on the device without requiring external applications or console connections for basic event processing. The device serves itself by monitoring, detecting, and responding to events autonomously, enhancing programmability while keeping the configuration system simple.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for using arbitrary criteria to define events occurring within a network infrastructure, as well and techniques for detecting and responding to the occurrence of such custom events. Doing so allows a collection of networking elements (switches, routers, etc.) to perform a variety of distributed functions from within the network itself to respond to custom events. Further, because custom events are published across the network, multiple network elements can communicate and respond to the same event. Thus, unlike currently available event management systems, custom events (and responding applications) can be used to create and coordinate software defined networking within a common network infrastructure.