Network Telemetry Capability Discovery for Adaptive Data Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network management systems lack an automated mechanism to discover and manage the telemetry data gathering capabilities of network devices, leading to configuration errors and mismatches due to manual processes, especially in large networks with continuously changing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism for discovering telemetry capabilities of network devices using both static and dynamic methods, involving device-type focused announcements and dynamic configuration parameter updates, allowing network management entities to automatically adapt to changes in telemetry retrieval protocols and parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration examination is used to discover telemetry capabilities, then configuration accuracy can be maintained, but productivity and adaptability to dynamic changes deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The network device automatically publishes its telemetry capability information through a MUD file, eliminating the need for manual configuration examination. The device serves itself by making capability information available to the management entity, thereby improving productivity while maintaining reliability through automated capability advertisement
Solution Approach 2:
The management entity periodically polls the network device to retrieve updated MUD files, creating a feedback loop that enables dynamic adaptation to capability changes. This automated feedback mechanism improves both productivity by eliminating manual processes and reliability by ensuring current capability information is obtained
2Device complexity
If manual configuration examination is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to dynamic changes and automation extent worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static manual configuration to dynamic automated capability discovery. The MUD file can be updated at any time to reflect current device capabilities, and the management entity automatically retrieves these updates through periodic polling, enabling the system to adapt dynamically to capability changes without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The MUD file acts as an intermediary that carries capability information between the network device and the management entity. This intermediary mechanism enables automated adaptability while keeping the actual device complexity low, as the device only needs to publish information rather than implement complex discovery protocols
3Productivity
If automated discovery mechanisms are implemented, then productivity and adaptability improve, but device complexity and information loss worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The network device publishes its capability information in advance through the MUD file before the management entity needs to retrieve it. This preliminary action ensures that capability information is readily available when needed, improving productivity without risking information loss, as the data is prepared and stored in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The capability information is copied from the device's internal configuration into the MUD file, which then serves as a reliable external representation. This copying mechanism allows the management entity to retrieve and process capability information without directly accessing the device, maintaining information accuracy while enabling automated discovery
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for discovering telemetry retrieval capabilities of telemetry devices. The methods include a computing device obtaining telemetry capability related information for one or more telemetry devices and determining one or more telemetry retrieval methods supported by each of the one or more telemetry devices based on the telemetry capability related information. The methods further include obtaining telemetry data based on the one or more telemetry retrieval methods determined to be supported by a respective telemetry device.