Unified Data Model Linking for Communication Device Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing communication devices due to the use of vendor-specific data models, which can lead to complexity and incompatibility with vendor-neutral standards, limiting the flexibility and interoperability of management systems.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a management model that integrates both vendor-neutral and vendor-specific data models, such as YANG and proprietary data models, allows for the linking and management of instance data across different formats, enabling seamless communication device management through a unified management interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If vendor-specific data models are used to manage communication devices, then device-specific functionality and precision can be achieved, but system complexity increases and interoperability with vendor-neutral standards deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice-specific functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data model into two distinct parts: a vendor-neutral base data model that ensures interoperability, and vendor-specific extensions that provide device-specific functionality. This segmentation allows each part to serve its specific purpose without creating conflicts, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vendor-specific data model is nested within the vendor-neutral data model structure. The vendor-specific model inherits from and extends the base model, creating a hierarchical relationship where the specific model contains the general model. This nesting allows vendor-specific functionality to be added without disrupting the underlying vendor-neutral framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Manufacturing precision

If vendor-specific data models are used, then precise device management is achieved, but compatibility and interoperability with standard systems worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice management precisionVSAvoidinteroperability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vendor-neutral base data model serves as a universal foundation that can work with any communication device regardless of vendor. This universal layer ensures interoperability while allowing vendor-specific extensions to add specialized functionality, thereby achieving both precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The vendor-neutral data model acts as an intermediary between the management system and vendor-specific device models. It provides a standardized interface that mediates communication between diverse vendor-specific implementations and the overarching management system, ensuring compatibility while preserving device-specific capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple data model formats are integrated, then flexibility and interoperability improve, but data model complexity and integration difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoiddata model integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects and applies the appropriate data model based on the specific communication device being managed. Rather than statically integrating all possible data models, the system adapts its data model usage in real-time, switching between vendor-neutral and vendor-specific models as needed, thereby reducing integration complexity while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4020923B1Device management
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP4020923B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4020923B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4020923B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various example embodiments for supporting management of a communication device are presented. Various example embodiments for supporting management of a communication device based on a management model may be configured to support management of the communication device based on a management model that includes multiple data models configured to model objects representing elements of the communication device. Various example embodiments for supporting management of a communication device based on a management model may be configured to support management of the communication device based on a management model that includes multiple data models configured to support, for a given object representing an element of the communication device, association of sets of instance data generated for the object based on the multiple data models such that the communication device knows to apply the sets of instance data to the underlying operational object instance for the given object representing the element of the communication device.