Automated Stack Switching Detection and Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems lack the capability to fully automate 'day 0' network provisioning of stack switching units, leading to high resource costs due to complexity in deploying and provisioning these units, which are often configured with multiple network devices requiring different software images and licenses.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a server that detects stack switching units by querying connected network devices for serial numbers, determines the unit configuration, and automatically provisions and synchronizes software images and licenses across the stack members, enabling coherent operation without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual provisioning is used for stack switching units, then flexibility and control are maintained, but resource costs increase and complexity arises due to manual deployment efforts
Solution Approach 1:
The stack master device automatically performs provisioning operations for itself and other stack members by executing provisioning commands received from the network device. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual provisioning of each stack member, reducing resource costs and complexity while maintaining full control over the provisioning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The stack master device acts as an intermediary between the network device and other stack members. It receives provisioning commands from the network device and automatically distributes them to other stack members, simplifying the overall provisioning process while maintaining centralized control through the network device.
2Productivity
If multiple network devices form a stack unit, then port density and throughput increase, but provisioning complexity increases due to different software images and licenses required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the provisioning operations for multiple stack members into a single automated process. The stack master device consolidates software image and license distribution for all stack members, eliminating the need to manually provision each device individually with different software versions, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining high port density and throughput.
3Productivity
If stack switching units are deployed with multiple network devices, then network capacity increases, but resource costs increase due to lack of automation in deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The automated provisioning system enables stack switching units to self-provision without manual intervention. The stack master device automatically receives provisioning commands from the network device and distributes necessary software images and licenses to all stack members, eliminating wasteful manual deployment efforts and reducing resource costs while maintaining high network capacity.
4Ease of operation
If manual provisioning is performed for each stack member, then precise control over each device is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing the stack master device that will automatically handle provisioning for all stack members. This preliminary setup enables subsequent automated provisioning operations, significantly reducing the time required compared to manual provisioning of each device while maintaining precise control through the network device's ability to send provisioning commands.
Data Source
AI summary
Stack switching detection may be provided. First, a request to connect to a server may be received by the server from a first network device. Then the server may send, in response to receiving the request, a query to the first network device for a serial number of any other network device connected to the first network device. The first network device may have a first serial number. The server may receive, from the first network device, a response to the query. The response may include a second serial number corresponding to a second network device connected to the first network device. Next, the server may determine, based on the response, that the first network device and the second network device comprise a stack unit. The server may then provision the stack unit by provisioning the first network device and provisioning the second network device through the first network device.