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

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transmission devices are configured in redundant standby mode, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If automatic failover is implemented, then network availability is improved, but risk of incorrect switch settings increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork availabilityVSAvoidcommunication failures
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If coupling information is stored and verified, then configuration accuracy is improved, but information processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidinformation processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11032129B2Information processing apparatus, network system, and computer-readable recording medium
Publication Date: 2021.06.08 FSAS TECH INC
  • US11032129B2 patent drawing
  • US11032129B2 patent drawing
  • US11032129B2 patent drawing

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.