Automatic Tunnel Endpoint Alias Provisioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual configuration of tunnel endpoint aliases in communication networks is cumbersome and resource-intensive, especially when dealing with large numbers of network devices, requiring significant computing resources and skilled personnel.

Innovation Solution

An automated mechanism for defining, distributing, and installing Tunnel Endpoint (TEP) aliases, allowing network devices to automatically configure and use aliases for communications, eliminating the need for manual intervention by technicians or administrators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual configuration of tunnel endpoint aliases is performed, then configuration accuracy and control are improved, but operational complexity and resource consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic provisioning of tunnel endpoint aliases through self-service mechanisms. The network device autonomously configures TEP aliases without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining configuration accuracy while significantly reducing operational complexity and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-provisioning tunnel endpoint aliases automatically before they are needed. The system proactively configures TEP aliases in advance, eliminating the need for manual configuration later while ensuring configuration accuracy is maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual configuration is used for large numbers of network devices, then configuration control is maintained, but time consumption and operational burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration controlVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic provisioning mechanism allows network devices to self-configure TEP aliases without human intervention. This maintains configuration control through automated policies while dramatically reducing the time consumption and operational burden associated with manually configuring large numbers of devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates an automated environment that replaces manual configuration processes. By establishing an automated provisioning infrastructure, the system eliminates the time-consuming manual operations while maintaining configuration control through structured automated policies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Manufacturing precision

If manual provisioning of TEP aliases is performed, then configuration precision is improved, but computing resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration precisionVSAvoidcomputing resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service provisioning where network devices automatically obtain and configure TEP aliases without requiring extensive manual computing resources. This maintains configuration precision while significantly reducing computing resource consumption by eliminating manual configuration workflows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration processes with automated electronic provisioning systems. This substitution maintains configuration precision through automated validation while reducing computing resource consumption by eliminating the overhead of manual configuration operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If automated provisioning is implemented, then operational efficiency and scalability are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated provisioning system enables network devices to self-configure TEP aliases automatically, dramatically improving operational efficiency and scalability. The system manages its own complexity through automated policies and protocols, allowing efficient operations without requiring proportional increases in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11700149B1Automatic RSVP tunnel endpoint aliasing

Publication Date: 2023.07.11 ARISTA NETWORKS INC

AI summary

Provisioning a set of tunnel endpoint aliases for a tunnel endpoint. A request is sent from the first tunnel endpoint to the second tunnel endpoint over a control plane of a network to provision the set of tunnel endpoint aliases. The second tunnel endpoint generates the set of tunnel endpoints and sends a response including the set of tunnel endpoint aliases to the first tunnel endpoint over the control plane. The first tunnel endpoint sends network traffic over the network tunnel that includes a tunnel endpoint alias of the set of tunnel endpoint aliases received.