Web UI for Vendor-Independent Network Switch Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network switch management systems require different vendor-specific management software applications to be installed on client computers, making it cumbersome and inefficient to manage network switches from various manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A system with a management controller connected via SNMP interface, providing a web-based UI to parse and manage MIB files, converting OIDs to JSON objects for a unified interface, allowing remote configuration and management of network switches without the need for multiple client applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vendor-specific management software applications are installed on client computers to manage network switches, then network switch management functionality is achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need for multiple applications
Solution Approach 1:
The management controller is designed to provide a universal web-based user interface that can manage multiple network switches from different vendors through a single platform. The controller parses vendor-specific MIB files and presents a unified interface, eliminating the need for multiple vendor-specific applications while maintaining full management functionality across diverse network switch devices.
2Productivity
If multiple standalone client applications are used to manage different network switches, then comprehensive network switch management is achieved, but loss of time increases due to installation and configuration overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functionality of multiple standalone client applications into a single management controller that provides centralized management of network switches. The controller consolidates vendor-specific management capabilities into one unified platform accessible via web browser, eliminating the time required to install, configure, and maintain multiple separate applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If vendor-specific management applications are deployed, then network switch management capability is achieved, but adaptability deteriorates due to vendor lock-in
Solution Approach 1:
The management controller acts as an intermediary between the administrator and vendor-specific network switches. It parses vendor-specific MIB files and translates them into a unified web-based interface, allowing administrators to manage diverse network switches without being locked into vendor-specific applications. This intermediary layer provides adaptability while maintaining simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects direct to systems and methods for providing an intuitive user interface (UI) for device or vendor independent network switch management via a management controller. The management controller is communicatively connected to a network switch through a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) interface. The management controller provides a web UI. When a remote computing device request the web UI, the management controller sends the web UI to the remote computing device. Thus, a user at the remote computing device may upload the parsed information of the MIB file to the management controller through the UI. The management controller then processes the parsed information of the MIB file, and displays the processed parsed information in a hierarchical organization through the UI. Then the management controller establishes a communication between the management controller and the network switch through the SNMP interface based on the parsed information of the MIB file.