Automated Software Image Selection for Network Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual configuration and provisioning of thousands of network devices in a data center is time-consuming and error-prone, making it impractical for large-scale data centers with hundreds of switches and thousands of servers.
Innovation Solution
A fabric management server automatically selects and provisions software images for network devices based on their hardware configuration and assigned roles, using a database to match hardware capability information with software image features, enabling standardized and automated configuration and upgrading of devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration and provisioning is used for network devices, then flexibility and control are maintained, but time consumption and error rate increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the fabric management server automatically discovers network devices, retrieves their hardware capability information, matches them with appropriate software images, and provisions them without manual intervention. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by eliminating human error while maintaining systematic control over the provisioning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric management server acts as an intermediary between network device hardware capabilities and software image requirements. It automatically discovers devices, retrieves hardware capability information, matches it with software image features, and provisions the appropriate software images. This intermediary automation resolves the contradiction by eliminating manual errors while maintaining systematic control.
2Productivity
If automated software image selection is implemented, then provisioning speed and scalability improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric management server performs multiple functions including device discovery, hardware capability information retrieval, software image selection, and automated provisioning. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional system, the patent achieves high provisioning speed without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hardware capability information as a copy or representation of the actual device characteristics to match with software image requirements. This abstraction layer enables automated decision-making without requiring direct complex interactions with physical devices, thus improving productivity while managing system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If manual tracking of network devices and software is used, then simplicity is maintained, but error-proneness and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the fabric management server continuously discovers network devices, retrieves their hardware capability information, and verifies proper software image provisioning. This automated feedback loop ensures configuration accuracy while maintaining ease of operation through centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual tracking system (spreadsheets and manual records) with an automated electronic discovery and matching system. The fabric management server automatically discovers devices, retrieves hardware capability information, matches it with software requirements, and provisions appropriate images, thereby improving reliability while maintaining operational simplicity through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A data center network can include numerous switches, routers and servers to deliver services to customers. The network devices in the data center may be automatically discovered through various discovery workflows. Once discovered, hardware configuration information for the network devices may be stored in a database. Additionally, an administrator may assign roles to the network devices. The hardware configuration information may be matched with features provided by software images. A server may select a software image from a variety of candidate software images by matching the features provided by the software images and the hardware supported by the software images to the hardware configurations and roles of the network devices. Thus, new network devices may be deployed and provisioned to data center in a standardized and automated way. Further, existing network devices may be upgraded or reconfigured in a standardized and automated way.