Service Configuration Assurance for Network Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
In IP and Ethernet networks, uncontrolled manual configuration changes often go unnoticed, leading to service outages, performance degradations, and security risks, as real-time monitoring of configuration changes is not widely used due to the overwhelming amount of data generated, most of which does not affect service levels.
Innovation Solution
A service configuration assurance system that monitors network configuration changes by generating expected and actual device configuration models, comparing them to identify service-impacting changes, and communicating these changes in real-time to fault management or trouble ticketing systems, thereby alerting users to potential issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real-time monitoring of all configuration changes is implemented, then service-impacting changes can be detected, but the overwhelming amount of data generated makes monitoring infeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments configuration data into two categories: service-impacting configuration changes and non-service-affecting configuration changes. This segmentation allows the monitoring system to focus only on relevant changes that affect service levels, rather than processing all configuration data uniformly. The segmentation is achieved through analysis of configuration change events against service level definitions to identify which changes require notification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of different configuration changes based on their impact characteristics. Service-impacting changes receive high-priority processing with immediate notification, while non-service-affecting changes are filtered out or processed differently. This selective approach ensures that monitoring resources are concentrated on changes that matter for service assurance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration changes are allowed for operational flexibility, then network operations can be adapted, but uncontrolled changes lead to service outages and security risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by establishing a monitoring system that detects configuration changes and provides immediate notification when service-impacting changes occur. The system continuously monitors configuration events, compares them against service level definitions, and feeds back alerts to operators or automated response systems. This feedback loop enables operational flexibility while maintaining service stability through real-time awareness and rapid response to problematic changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively identifying and alerting on configuration changes before they cause service outages or security incidents. The monitoring system analyzes configuration events in real-time and notifies operators of potential problems before they manifest as service failures, allowing preventive action to be taken. This approach counteracts the inherent risks of manual configuration changes before they materialize into harmful effects.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with service configuration assurance are described. One example method includes comparing an expected device configuration model with an actual device configuration model for the network device and communicating service identifiers in the expected device configuration for which there is no corresponding service configuration item in the actual device configuration model to a user. The example method may also include generating a service-impact event notification when a likely service-impacting configuration change is detected.