Unified Network Tool Optimizer System with Switch Fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
As networks increase in size and complexity, existing network tool optimizers (NTOs) face difficulties in handling packet forwarding for network analysis purposes, making it challenging to efficiently monitor and analyze network traffic.
Innovation Solution
A unified system of network tool optimizers (NTOs) is introduced, where a supervisor device controls switch fabric circuitry to interconnect multiple NTO member devices, allowing packets to be forwarded from a source port to a destination port across the system, with the supervisor managing filter rules and configurations to facilitate efficient packet forwarding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single network tool optimizer handles packet forwarding, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot handle increased network size and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single network tool optimizer into multiple NTO member devices (first NTO member, second NTO member, etc.), each handling specific packet forwarding tasks. The supervisor device coordinates these segmented components, allowing the system to scale with network complexity while maintaining manageable individual device structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the system architecture by adding a supervisor device layer above the NTO member devices. This creates a two-level structure (supervisor + members) that enables the system to handle larger networks without proportionally increasing the complexity of individual forwarding devices.
2Productivity
If multiple NTO devices are used to handle complex networks, then network handling capability improves, but coordination and management become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The supervisor device acts as an intermediary between multiple NTO member devices, centralizing the management and coordination functions. It generates filter rules for each member device and manages the switch fabric circuitry, thereby simplifying system operation despite the increased number of forwarding devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The supervisor device performs multiple functions including generating filter rules, controlling switch fabric circuitry, and coordinating packet forwarding across all NTO member devices. This multi-functional approach consolidates management tasks into a single device, easing system operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If filter rules are generated for each NTO member device, then packet forwarding precision improves, but the complexity of filter management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supervisor device serves as an intermediary that automatically generates and distributes filter rules to appropriate NTO member devices. This centralized generation process ensures precise packet forwarding at each device while the supervisor manages the overall filter rule complexity, preventing management overhead from escalating.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for unified systems of network tool optimizers (NTOs). A NTO supervisor device controls switch fabric circuitry to interconnect a plurality of NTO member devices so that packets received at a source port for one NTO member device can be output to a destination port for a different NTO member device. The NTO supervisor device is further configured to analyze filters for the NTO member devices and to generate filter rules for forwarding packets among the various NTO member devices using the switch fabric circuitry. Further, additional secondary NTO supervisor devices can also be included within the unified NTO system to further expand the system. As such, a plurality of NTO member devices are managed and controlled by one or more NTO supervisor devices to form a highly scalable and efficient unified NTO system.