Virtualized Layer 2 Management Network for Automated Device Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Companies face significant challenges in managing network infrastructures in data centers due to the need for manual installation and configuration of network devices, which is time-consuming and costly, diverting resources from their primary business operations.
Innovation Solution
The solution automates network management using in-band communications within existing Layer 2 networks to create a virtualized Layer 2 management network, enabling automatic network connectivity and provisioning of new devices without manual configuration, leveraging MAC address learning and logical convergence states to facilitate 'plug and play' capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual installation and configuration of network devices is performed, then network devices can be properly provisioned and configured, but significant time and capital expenditures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling network devices to automatically provision and configure themselves upon connection to the network. The system uses in-band communications and MAC address learning to automatically discover new devices, establish virtual network interfaces, and provision network parameters without requiring manual administrator intervention, thus eliminating the time-consuming manual configuration process while ensuring reliable device provisioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the virtualized Layer 2 management network infrastructure and MAC address learning mechanisms before devices need provisioning. When a new device connects, the system has already been prepared to automatically detect it, create appropriate virtual interfaces, and provision network parameters, thereby eliminating the need for time-consuming manual configuration while ensuring proper device setup
2Reliability
If manual configuration by experienced network administrators is required, then network devices function properly, but significant capital expenditures and user oversight are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables network devices to self-provision and self-configure by automatically detecting new devices through MAC address learning, creating virtual network interfaces, and provisioning network parameters without requiring experienced administrators. This automation maintains reliable device functionality while eliminating the need for complex manual oversight and specialized human expertise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualized Layer 2 management network as an intermediary between physical network devices and the provisioning system. This virtual network layer, combined with MAC address learning mechanisms, acts as an intelligent mediator that automatically manages device provisioning and configuration, replacing the need for human administrators while ensuring proper device functionality through systematic automated processes
3Ease of operation
If traditional network management services are used, then network devices can be managed, but significant user oversight and capital are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms network management from a manual service requiring user oversight to an automated self-service system. New devices automatically register with the virtualized management network, receive provisioning information, and configure themselves without administrator intervention. This maintains full network management capability while achieving complete automation, eliminating the need for user oversight in device provisioning and configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a novel solution that enables traditional network management services to be automated without requiring the standard user oversight often required by conventional networking systems. Embodiments of the present invention are operable to utilize in-band communications used by network devices within an existing Layer 2 network to automatically generate a virtualized Layer 2 management network. By using MAC address learning procedures and/or generating a logical convergence state for an existing physical Layer 2 network, embodiments of the present invention can generate a virtual layer 2 network interface that facilitates automatic network connectivity for new and/or existing network devices. As such, embodiments of the present invention can enable communication between various network layers (e.g., Layer 3/Layer 4 networks) that allows network devices to be bootstrapped to an existing network infrastructure in a manner that requires no configuration.