Unified Interface for Network Device Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of standardized setting interfaces for network manageable devices requires users to be familiar with various vendor-specific commands and connections, limiting the development of generic management applications that can configure multiple types of devices.
Innovation Solution
A unified setting interface that generates device requests and submission requests using a database with regular expressions, manageable device scripts, and authorization parameters, allowing management applications to configure network manageable devices regardless of type or manufacturer, and includes a response processor to extract data from device responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If vendor-specific setting interfaces are used for each network device, then device-specific configuration capabilities are improved, but user operation complexity and learning requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal setting interface that can configure multiple types of network manageable devices (routers, switches, access points, etc.) through a single standardized interface. The system translates generic configuration commands into device-specific commands, allowing one interface to serve multiple device types and manufacturers, thereby reducing user learning curve while maintaining device-specific configuration capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a translation layer or intermediary component that sits between the universal setting interface and the various network devices. This intermediary translates standardized configuration requests into device-specific commands, enabling the universal interface to communicate effectively with diverse devices without requiring users to learn multiple interfaces
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vendor-specific setting interfaces are provided, then compatibility with different device types is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple vendor-specific interfaces into a single universal interface that supports multiple device types and manufacturers. The system maintains compatibility with different devices through a standardized command structure and translation mechanisms, thereby reducing the number of interfaces users must learn while preserving broad device compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a standardized template or model of network device configuration that can be replicated across different device types. By copying and adapting a universal configuration framework rather than maintaining separate proprietary interfaces for each device, the system reduces complexity while ensuring compatibility across diverse network devices
3Ease of operation
If standardized setting interface is implemented, then ease of operation and generic application development are improved, but device-specific configuration precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a translation intermediary that preserves configuration precision by accurately converting standardized interface commands into device-specific commands. This intermediary ensures that no configuration detail is lost in translation, maintaining the precision required for complex network device configurations while presenting a simplified standardized interface to users
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter mapping and transformation to maintain configuration precision. The system translates standardized parameters into device-specific parameters through defined mapping relationships, ensuring that configuration values and settings are accurately preserved across the translation boundary between the universal interface and specific device requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A unified setting interface that enables a management application to configure network manageable devices, regardless of their type or manufacturer. Configuration of a network manageable device requires that certain information be provided to the network manageable device. For different types of devices from different manufacturers, this information and its format can vary. A management application using the unified setting interface does not require the individual interfaces for configuring network manageable devices from different manufacturers.