Virtual Console-Port Management for Wireless Network Device Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for configuring new devices in a network require physical connections, leading to complex and costly data center topologies, limited scalability, and increased operational time due to the need for physical cables and terminal servers.
Innovation Solution
The use of wireless links and power line communication links between management devices and network devices for configuration and console access, eliminating the need for physical connections and allowing for secure virtual console-port access, thereby simplifying data center topology and reducing deployment time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical console-ports and terminal servers are used for device configuration, then secure access is provided, but device complexity and deployment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical connection system (console-ports and cables) with a wireless communication system. Management devices establish wireless connections to network devices, eliminating the need for physical terminal servers and reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining secure access through encrypted communication channels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a management device as an intermediary that mediates between administrators and network devices. This management device provides centralized authentication, authorization, and configuration management, replacing the need for direct physical access through terminal servers while maintaining security through controlled access policies
2Reliability
If dedicated physical connections are required for each console-port, then configuration access is ensured, but scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the wireless management system universal by enabling a single management device to access multiple network devices simultaneously through wireless connections. This eliminates the one-to-one physical connection requirement, allowing the same management infrastructure to scale across numerous devices without proportional increases in hardware
3Ease of operation
If physical terminal servers are deployed for each rack unit, then console access is simplified, but operational time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical cable connection and terminal server configuration with wireless communication protocols. Administrators can remotely access network devices wirelessly, eliminating the time required for physical cable installation, connection, and disconnection while maintaining ease of operation through remote command-line interfaces
4Ease of manufacture
If physical cables and terminal servers are used, then device configuration is enabled, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of device configuration from the physical infrastructure (cables and terminal servers) and implements it through wireless communication. This removes the need for extensive physical hardware while preserving the configuration capability, thereby reducing material costs and infrastructure requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are providing for managing and optimizing the configuration of network devices. At a management device in a network, a message is received from a first network device via a wireless link or a power line communication link between the management device and the first network device. The new network device is classified as belonging to one of a plurality of network device zones based on evaluating the message. A response message is then sent to the new network device via the wireless link or the power line communication link to ensure secure access to a virtual console-port is provided for the management device and the network devices in the network device zones.