Hyper-Converged Switch Replacement via Configuration Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hyper-converged infrastructure computing environments, replacing a faulty switch is challenging due to the difficulty in swapping out a configured switch, especially when switches from different manufacturers are involved, and it affects active workloads, making it hard to maintain performance thresholds.
Innovation Solution
A hyper-converged management service dynamically configures a new switch by applying network configurations from a failing switch, allowing for quick and programmatic replacement regardless of the manufacturer, ensuring minimal disruption to workloads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a switch is replaced in a hyper-converged infrastructure, then the faulty switch can be swapped out, but the replacement affects active workloads and requires complex reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a configuration database that stores network configurations before switch failure. When a switch needs replacement, the configuration is retrieved and applied to the new switch beforehand, eliminating manual reconfiguration work and reducing disruption to active workloads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by creating a digital copy of the failed switch's network configuration from the configuration database and applying it to the replacement switch. This allows the new switch to inherit all necessary settings, VLANs, and network parameters automatically, making the replacement process as simple as swapping hardware without complex reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a switch from one manufacturer is replaced with a switch from a different manufacturer, then hardware flexibility is improved, but configuration compatibility becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary configuration database that acts as a manufacturer-neutral storage layer. The database stores configurations in a standardized format that can be translated to different vendor-specific formats. This intermediary layer decouples the hardware manufacturer from the configuration management, allowing seamless replacement between different vendors without configuration compatibility issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically translating configuration parameters from the failed switch's vendor format to the replacement switch's vendor format. The system modifies configuration parameters such as command syntax, protocol formats, and device-specific settings to ensure compatibility with the new manufacturer's switch while maintaining the same network functionality.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual reconfiguration is performed on a replacement switch, then configuration accuracy can be ensured, but time consumption and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling the replacement switch to automatically obtain its configuration from the configuration database without requiring manual intervention. The switch autonomously receives and applies the configured parameters, VLANs, and network settings, eliminating the need for technicians to manually reconfigure each parameter while ensuring configuration accuracy through automated validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration is prepared in advance and stored in the configuration database before the switch replacement occurs. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the replacement switch is deployed, the configuration is already validated and ready for automatic application, maintaining both accuracy and speed without requiring post-installation manual configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various examples for top-of-rack (TOR) switch replacement in hyper-converged computing environments. A bring-up network configuration is applied to a network switch to install the network switch in a rack. An active workload within the rack is analyzed to identify a workload network configuration for the active workload. The active workload is reassigned to the network switch from a faulty network switch. The network switch is configured based on the workload network configuration for the active workload.