Automated bulk configuration of network devices
First Claim
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1. A machine-executable method of configuring multiple devices in a data communication network, comprising:
- (a) receiving a selection of a group of devices to be configured in accordance with a previously-stored configuration profile, the devices of the group being situated in different locations within the data communications network, the configuration profile having previously-stored configuration data that specifies, as to each device of the group, values for multiple configuration parameters corresponding to desired operation of that device;
(b) automatically opening a network connection with each of the devices of the group;
(c) automatically retrieving identifying data from each of the devices of the group;
(d) automatically mapping, for each device of the group and subsequent to step (a), the retrieved identifying data to a corresponding configuration profile deployment routine set;
(e) automatically generating device-specific commands for each device of the group, wherein the device-specific commands for each device are generated subsequent to performance of step (d) for that device and are generated using the previously-stored configuration data and the configuration profile deployment routine set mapped to the identifying data for that device; and
(f) automatically transmitting the device-specific commands to each device of the group.
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Abstract
Multiple devices within a data communication network can be configured according to a single configuration profile. Configuration profile data is stored in a configuration file. Connections are made to individual devices, and the data in the configuration file is transformed into device-specific commands.
79 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A machine-executable method of configuring multiple devices in a data communication network, comprising:
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(a) receiving a selection of a group of devices to be configured in accordance with a previously-stored configuration profile, the devices of the group being situated in different locations within the data communications network, the configuration profile having previously-stored configuration data that specifies, as to each device of the group, values for multiple configuration parameters corresponding to desired operation of that device;
(b) automatically opening a network connection with each of the devices of the group;
(c) automatically retrieving identifying data from each of the devices of the group;
(d) automatically mapping, for each device of the group and subsequent to step (a), the retrieved identifying data to a corresponding configuration profile deployment routine set;
(e) automatically generating device-specific commands for each device of the group, wherein the device-specific commands for each device are generated subsequent to performance of step (d) for that device and are generated using the previously-stored configuration data and the configuration profile deployment routine set mapped to the identifying data for that device; and
(f) automatically transmitting the device-specific commands to each device of the group. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A machine-readable medium having machine-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:
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(a) receiving a selection of a group of devices in a data communication network to be configured in accordance with a previously-stored configuration profile, the devices of the group being situated in different locations within the data communications network, the configuration profile having previously-stored configuration data that specifies, as to each device of the group, values for multiple configuration parameters corresponding to desired operation of that device;
(b) automatically opening a network connection with each of the devices of the group;
(c) automatically retrieving identifying data from each of the devices of the group;
(d) automatically mapping, for each device of the group and subsequent to step (a), the retrieved identifying data to a corresponding configuration profile deployment routine set;
(e) automatically generating device-specific commands for each device of the group, wherein the device-specific commands for each device are generated subsequent to performance of step (d) for that device and are generated using the previously-stored configuration data and the configuration profile deployment routine set mapped to the identifying data for that device; and
(f) automatically transmitting the device-specific commands to each device of the group. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A network management computer, comprising:
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at least one network connection permitting communication with multiple network control devices; and
a processor programmed to configure multiple network control devices by (a) receiving a selection of a group of devices to be configured in accordance with a previously-stored configuration profile, the devices of the group being situated in different locations within the network, the configuration profile having previously-stored configuration data that specifies, as to each device of the group, values for multiple configuration parameters corresponding to desired operation of that device, (b) automatically opening a network connection with each of the devices of the group, (c) automatically retrieving identifying data from each of the devices of the group, (d) automatically mapping, for each device of the group and subsequent to step (a), the retrieved identifying data to a corresponding configuration profile deployment routine set, (e) automatically generating device-specific commands for each device of the group, wherein the device-specific commands for each device are generated subsequent to performance of step (d) for that device and are generated using the previously-stored configuration data and the configuration profile deployment routine set mapped to the identifying data for that device, and (f) automatically transmitting the device-specific commands to each device of the group. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification