Virtual Network Super Ports for Transparent Service Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network management systems struggle with transparent end-to-end management across equipment from multiple manufacturers and third-party operator networks, leading to inconvenient and unreliable service management, particularly when services traverse unknown manufacturer or third-party equipment, resulting in potential service interruptions and losses.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for implementing a virtual network using unique super ports and connected groups within the network management system, allowing services to pass through virtual networks by configuring connections with network elements and utilizing super ports as routing resources, enabling transparent end-to-end management across different equipment types and operator networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If service segments are managed separately at transmitting and receiving ends, then network management can handle services traversing unknown manufacturer equipment or third-party operator networks, but network management becomes inconvenient and service interruption risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple service segments into a single virtual service by introducing virtual network elements that represent physical network elements. This allows the network management system to manage the entire service path as one unified entity, eliminating the need to manage separate service segments at different network boundaries while maintaining the capability to traverse multiple manufacturers and operator networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual network elements as intermediaries between physical network elements from different manufacturers and operator networks. These virtual elements act as mediators that translate and coordinate management information across heterogeneous networks, enabling unified service management without requiring direct management of each physical segment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual network elements are used to simulate IP networks, then services can traverse third-party operator networks, but configuration errors occur where next hop points to incorrect destinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network management system continuously monitors and validates the configuration of virtual network elements and their associated physical network elements. This feedback loop detects configuration errors such as incorrect next hop settings and enables automatic correction, ensuring that virtual network elements accurately represent their physical counterparts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary validation of configuration parameters before deploying virtual network elements. The system checks and verifies next hop configurations, routing paths, and connectivity parameters in advance to prevent configuration errors from occurring in the first place, ensuring accurate representation of physical network topologies.
3Device complexity
If existing virtual network element techniques replace equipment with virtual devices, then management abstraction is achieved, but network features are lost and management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes virtual network elements universal by enabling them to represent different types of physical network elements (routers, switches, servers) and support various network features (routing, switching, security, monitoring). This multi-functionality allows a single virtual network element framework to manage diverse physical devices while preserving their specific network features and capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network management function into separate virtual network elements that can be independently configured and managed. Each virtual element represents a specific function or device type, allowing detailed control of individual features while maintaining overall system abstraction. This segmentation enables preservation of network features at the virtual level without sacrificing management simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a method for implementing a virtual network and a network management system. With the method, a virtual network is created; multiple super ports each unique in the virtual network are created; a connection of a super port with a network element is configured; and when a service to pass through the virtual network or a nonterminal service interconnected to the virtual network is created, the super ports are used as routing resources of the service. With the disclosure, by using a virtual network as well as super ports and a connected group provided by the virtual network, an end-to-end service transparently passing through a third-party network can be created, such that unified transparent end-to-end service management may be provided at a customer side, greatly facilitating network management in this scenario, reducing a risk in network management and improving network reliability.