Methods and apparatus for identifying network configurations in an existing network
First Claim
1. A method for identifying a useable network configuration, the method comprising the step of:
- receiving a preferred network configuration defining a preferred network topology;
analyzing an existing network configuration to produce an existing network topology;
comparing the preferred network topology to the existing network topology to identify a useable network configuration within the existing network configuration that most closely supports operation of the preferred network configuration, further including applying a graph matching technique to compare the preferred network graph to the existing network graph to identify at least one useable network configuration corresponding to a set of existing interconnected nodes in the existing graph that most closely correspond to preferred nodes in the preferred network graph, the at least one useable network configuration indicating which existing nodes can support operation of the preferred network configuration within the existing network configuration, applying a graph matching technique to compare the preferred network graph to the existing network graph further comprising;
iteratively mapping node combinations from the preferred network graph and the existing network graph based on corresponding node mapping characteristics to produce a solution set of usable nodes; and
comparing a configuration characteristic of the solution set of useable nodes to a best match configuration characteristic derived from the preferred network graph to determine if the solution set of useable nodes is a best match solution set of useable nodes, and if so, saving the best match solution set of useable nodes as a useable network configuration;
wherein the step of applying a graph matching technique comprises the step of;
selecting a preferred node from the preferred network graph;
selecting an existing node from the existing network graph;
determining, based on node mapping characteristics, if the existing node matches the preferred node, and if so;
i) creating a mapping between the preferred node and the existing node in a solution set of useable nodes; and
ii) identifying the preferred node and the existing node as mapped nodes;
iii) comparing the solution set of useable nodes using a best solution metric to determine if the solution set of useable nodes is a preferred solution set of useable nodes, and if so, saving the solution set of useable nodes in a set of preferred solution sets of useable nodes;
repeating, in a first repeat sequence, the steps of selecting an existing node and determining if the existing node matches the preferred node for all unmapped existing nodes in the existing network graph; and
repeating, in a second repeat sequence, the steps of selecting a preferred node, selecting an existing node, and repeating in the first repeat sequence for all preferred nodes in the preferred network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Mechanisms and techniques operate in a computerized device to provide a network analyzer that identifies a useable network configuration in an existing network configuration. The network analyzer receives a preferred network configuration defining a preferred network topology and analyzes an existing network configuration to produce an existing network topology. The network analyzer then compares the preferred network topology to the existing network topology, for example using a graph matching technique, to identify a useable network configuration within the existing network configuration that most closely supports operation of the preferred network configuration.
51 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for identifying a useable network configuration, the method comprising the step of:
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receiving a preferred network configuration defining a preferred network topology; analyzing an existing network configuration to produce an existing network topology; comparing the preferred network topology to the existing network topology to identify a useable network configuration within the existing network configuration that most closely supports operation of the preferred network configuration, further including applying a graph matching technique to compare the preferred network graph to the existing network graph to identify at least one useable network configuration corresponding to a set of existing interconnected nodes in the existing graph that most closely correspond to preferred nodes in the preferred network graph, the at least one useable network configuration indicating which existing nodes can support operation of the preferred network configuration within the existing network configuration, applying a graph matching technique to compare the preferred network graph to the existing network graph further comprising; iteratively mapping node combinations from the preferred network graph and the existing network graph based on corresponding node mapping characteristics to produce a solution set of usable nodes; and comparing a configuration characteristic of the solution set of useable nodes to a best match configuration characteristic derived from the preferred network graph to determine if the solution set of useable nodes is a best match solution set of useable nodes, and if so, saving the best match solution set of useable nodes as a useable network configuration; wherein the step of applying a graph matching technique comprises the step of; selecting a preferred node from the preferred network graph; selecting an existing node from the existing network graph; determining, based on node mapping characteristics, if the existing node matches the preferred node, and if so; i) creating a mapping between the preferred node and the existing node in a solution set of useable nodes; and ii) identifying the preferred node and the existing node as mapped nodes; iii) comparing the solution set of useable nodes using a best solution metric to determine if the solution set of useable nodes is a preferred solution set of useable nodes, and if so, saving the solution set of useable nodes in a set of preferred solution sets of useable nodes; repeating, in a first repeat sequence, the steps of selecting an existing node and determining if the existing node matches the preferred node for all unmapped existing nodes in the existing network graph; and repeating, in a second repeat sequence, the steps of selecting a preferred node, selecting an existing node, and repeating in the first repeat sequence for all preferred nodes in the preferred network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computerized device comprising:
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an interface; a memory; a processor; an interconnection mechanism coupling the interface, the memory and the processor; wherein the memory is encoded with a network analyzer application that when performed by the processor, produces a network analyzer process that causes the computer system to identify a useable network configuration by performing the processing steps of; receiving, into the memory via the interface, a preferred network configuration defining a preferred network topology; analyzing an existing network configuration to produce an existing network topology in the memory; and comparing, in the processor, the preferred network topology to the existing network topology to identify a useable network configuration within the existing network configuration that most closely supports operation of the preferred network configuration such that when the network analyzer process causes the processor to perform the step of comparing the preferred network topology to the existing network topology, the network analyzer process causes the processor to perform the step of applying a graph matching technique to compare the preferred network graph to the existing network graph to identify at least one useable network configuration corresponding to a set of existing interconnected nodes in the existing graph that most closely correspond to preferred nodes in the preferred network graph, the at least one useable network configuration indicating which existing nodes can support operation of the preferred network configuration within the existing network configuration, wherein when the network analyzer process causes the processor to perform the step of applying a graph matching technique, the network analyzer process causes the processor to perform the step of; selecting a preferred node from the preferred network graph; selecting an existing node from the existing network graph; determining, based on node mapping characteristics, if the existing node matches the preferred node, and if so; i) creating a mapping between the preferred node and the existing node in a solution set of useable nodes; and ii) identifying the preferred node and the existing node as mapped nodes; iii) comparing the solution set of useable nodes using a best solution metric to determine if the solution set of useable nodes is a preferred solution set of useable nodes, and if so, saving the solution set of useable nodes in a set of preferred solution sets of useable nodes; repeating, in a first repeat sequence, the steps of selecting an existing node and determining if the existing node matches the preferred node for all unmapped existing nodes in the existing network graph; and repeating, in a second repeat sequence, the steps of selecting a preferred node, selecting an existing node, and repeating in the first repeat sequence for all preferred nodes in the preferred network graph. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for identifying a useable network configuration, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a preferred network configuration defining a preferred network topology by producing a preferred network graph of nodes defining the preferred network topology; analyzing an existing network configuration to produce an existing network topology; and comparing the preferred network topology to the existing network topology to identify a useable network configuration within the existing network configuration that most closely supports operation of the preferred network configuration, further comprising applying a graph matching technique to compare the preferred network graph to the existing network graph to identify at least one useable network configuration corresponding to a set of existing interconnected nodes in the existing graph that most closely correspond to preferred nodes in the preferred network graph, the at least one useable network configuration indicating which existing nodes can support operation of the preferred network configuration within the existing network configuration, the step of receiving a preferred network configuration defining a preferred network topology comprising the steps of; receiving a set of compute node identifiers, each compute node identifier identifying a respective compute node to process data in the preferred network configuration; receiving a set of switch node identifiers, each switch node identifier identifying a respective switch node capable of interconnecting compute nodes identified by respective compute node identifiers in the set of compute node identifiers; receiving at least one interconnect requirement indicating how at least one compute node is to be connected to at least one switch node; and wherein the step of producing a preferred network graph of nodes defining the preferred network topology comprises the step of producing at least one preferred network graph defining, according to the at least one interconnect requirement, a possible interconnection between compute nodes identified in the set of compute nodes and switch nodes identified in the set of switch nodes; the step of applying a graph matching technique to compare the preferred network graph to the existing network graph further comprising; iteratively mapping node combinations from the preferred network graph and the existing network graph based on corresponding node mapping characteristics to produce a solution set of usable nodes; and comparing a configuration characteristic of the solution set of useable nodes to a best match configuration characteristic derived from the preferred network graph to determine if the solution set of useable nodes is a best match solution set of useable nodes, and if so, saving the best match solution set of useable nodes as a useable network configuration; wherein the step of applying a graph matching technique comprises the step of; selecting a preferred node from the preferred network graph; selecting an existing node from the existing network graph; determining, based on node mapping characteristics, if the existing node matches the preferred node, and if so; i) creating a mapping between the preferred node and the existing node in a solution set of useable nodes; and ii) identifying the preferred node and the existing node as mapped nodes; iii) comparing the solution set of useable nodes using a best solution metric to determine if the solution set of useable nodes is a preferred solution set of useable nodes, and if so, saving the solution set of useable nodes in a set of preferred solution sets of useable nodes; repeating, in a first repeat sequence, the steps of selecting an existing node and determining if the existing node matches the preferred node for all unmapped existing nodes in the existing network graph; and repeating, in a second repeat sequence, the steps of selecting a preferred node, selecting an existing node, and repeating in the first repeat sequence for all preferred nodes in the preferred network. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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Specification