Unified Network Configuration Interface for Multi-Vendor Device Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial facilities face challenges in configuring and managing large, vendor-diverse communications networks, as existing solutions require multiple vendor-specific tools and lack a unified approach for setting and managing configuration parameters across different network devices.
Innovation Solution
A configuration management device with a network interface unit and data storage unit that stores device profiles with vendor-independent configuration parameters, allowing for unified device network interfaces to identify and configure network devices using device-specific drivers, enabling vendor-independent configuration across various network devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vendor-specific tools are used to configure different network devices, then each device can be configured according to its specific requirements, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to manage multiple tools
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration management device implements a universal configuration interface that can configure multiple types of network devices from different vendors through a single tool. The system maintains adaptability to vendor-specific protocols while presenting a unified interface to users, eliminating the need for multiple vendor-specific configuration tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary configuration management device that sits between the user and various network devices. This mediator translates universal configuration commands into vendor-specific protocols, allowing configuration of diverse devices through a single interface without requiring users to learn multiple vendor-specific tools.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple vendor-specific tools are used for network device configuration, then each device type can be configured precisely, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need to switch between different tools
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration management device provides a universal interface that maintains configuration accuracy across different device types while simplifying the operator's workflow. Users interact with a single unified tool that automatically adapts to the specific device being configured, eliminating the need to switch between multiple vendor-specific tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary configuration management system translates user-friendly universal configuration commands into precise vendor-specific configuration parameters. This mediator layer preserves configuration accuracy while dramatically improving ease of operation by providing a consistent interface across all device types.
3Ease of operation
If a unified configuration interface is implemented for vendor-independent configuration, then ease of operation improves by using a single tool, but adaptability may worsen if vendor-specific requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration management device acts as an intermediary that receives universal configuration commands and translates them into vendor-specific protocols. This mediator approach ensures that ease of operation is improved through a unified interface while adaptability is maintained by properly supporting vendor-specific requirements through protocol translation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes configuration parameters based on the target device type and vendor. The unified interface automatically adjusts the configuration parameters and protocol usage according to the specific device being configured, maintaining both ease of operation and vendor-specific adaptability.
4Productivity
If device profiles with vendor-independent parameters are stored and used, then configuration time is reduced and productivity improves, but measurement precision may worsen if vendor-specific details are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration management device stores device profiles with vendor-independent parameters to enable fast configuration deployment. The intermediary system then translates these universal parameters into precise vendor-specific configuration parameters, maintaining both productivity through rapid deployment and measurement precision through accurate protocol translation.
Solution Approach 2:
Device profiles with vendor-independent parameters are prepared in advance and stored in the configuration management device. This preliminary action enables rapid configuration deployment while the system automatically performs the necessary vendor-specific parameter translation during the actual configuration process, maintaining both speed and precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A configuration management device for vendor-independent network device configuration includes a network interface unit for communicating with network devices over a communications network and a data storage unit. The network interface unit can include a unified device network interface and a device-specific driver unit, where the unified device network interface can: retrieve a device profile; to identify a network device which belongs to a network device type corresponding to the device profile; retrieve information on a device-specific configuration protocol to be used during configuration of the network device; and download values for the vendor-independent configuration parameters to the network device.