Network Switch Configuration Verification for Failover Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network systems face communication failures due to incorrect switch settings or coupling errors during maintenance, leading to network downtime, as they lack effective mechanisms to verify the correct restoration of switch configurations after failure or replacement.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a processor and memory that stores and compares normal coupling information to determine the correct configuration of transmission devices, enabling failover and failback operations while ensuring accurate switch settings and port coupling, thereby reducing network failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transmission devices are configured in redundant standby mode, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing normal coupling information before failures occur and automatically comparing it with current coupling information when failures happen. This pre-prepared reference data enables rapid failure detection and recovery without manual intervention, maintaining network reliability while automating the complexity of redundancy management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring coupling information and automatically comparing it against stored normal states. When deviations are detected, the system generates notifications and triggers recovery actions. This closed-loop feedback automates the management of redundant transmission devices, improving reliability while reducing the operational complexity through self-diagnosis and self-recovery.
2Reliability
If automatic failover is implemented, then network availability is improved, but risk of incorrect switch settings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system stores normal coupling information in advance before any failures or replacements occur. This pre-captured reference data serves as a gold standard for verifying subsequent failover operations. By having the correct configuration预先 prepared, the system can automatically validate whether failover to standby transmission devices maintains proper network coupling, preventing incorrect settings from causing communication failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual verification of switch settings with automated electronic comparison of coupling information. Instead of relying on manual configuration checks that are prone to human error, the system uses automated data comparison between current and stored normal coupling information. This mechanical substitution of manual processes with automated electronic verification eliminates the risk of incorrect switch settings during failover operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If coupling information is stored and verified, then configuration accuracy is improved, but information processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the time-consuming task of capturing and storing normal coupling information in advance, before any failure occurs. This preliminary action creates a ready-reference baseline that can be quickly compared against current configurations during failures. By separating the time-intensive configuration capture phase from the time-critical failure response phase, the system achieves both high configuration accuracy and rapid failure recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system stores only the essential coupling information needed for failure detection and recovery, rather than complete device configurations. This selective storage of critical coupling data reduces the amount of information that must be processed during failures, minimizing information processing time while maintaining sufficient accuracy to detect and correct configuration errors.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to: perform switching to a transmission device in a standby status of transmission devices in a redundant configuration when a transmission device under operation configuration fails; store, as normal coupling information, coupling information at a time when a network system, constituted by the information processing apparatus and the transmission devices, is normal, the coupling information being information on a transmission device port to which a communication control device is coupled; when the transmission device to which the communication control device is coupled is repaired or replaced, determine whether the coupling information transmitted from the transmission device after the repair or replacement matches with the normal coupling information; and control communications between the communication control device and the transmission device port to which the communication control device is coupled based on the determination result.


