Communication network topology management based on an associated electric grid topology
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
- determining a grid topology of an electric grid based on one or more electric grid configuration description files;
determining a configuration of a network topology of a computer network used to provide communication to grid devices of the electric grid, the network topology made up of a plurality of network devices, wherein determining the configuration of the network topology of the computer network includes mapping the virtual local area network (VLAN) configurations within the computer network;
assessing whether the configuration of the network topology is configured to meet one or more communication requirements of the grid topology, wherein assessing includes overlaying the network topology on the grid topology and verifying that the VLAN configurations match the one or more communication requirements of the grid topology to prevent faults in the grid topology and the network topology; and
triggering an automatic reconfiguration of the network topology to meet the one or more communication requirements of the grid topology in response to the network topology not being configured to meet the one or more communication requirements of the grid topology.
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Abstract
In one embodiment, a computer determines a grid topology of an electric grid based on one or more electric grid configuration description files, and also determines a network topology of a computer network used to provide communication to grid devices of the electric grid. By assessing whether the network topology is configured to meet one or more communication requirements of the grid topology (e.g., initially and/or through monitoring for grid changes), the computer may trigger a corrective action (e.g., alarm or reconfiguration) in response to the network topology not being configured to meet the one or more communication requirements of the grid topology.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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determining a grid topology of an electric grid based on one or more electric grid configuration description files; determining a configuration of a network topology of a computer network used to provide communication to grid devices of the electric grid, the network topology made up of a plurality of network devices, wherein determining the configuration of the network topology of the computer network includes mapping the virtual local area network (VLAN) configurations within the computer network; assessing whether the configuration of the network topology is configured to meet one or more communication requirements of the grid topology, wherein assessing includes overlaying the network topology on the grid topology and verifying that the VLAN configurations match the one or more communication requirements of the grid topology to prevent faults in the grid topology and the network topology; and triggering an automatic reconfiguration of the network topology to meet the one or more communication requirements of the grid topology in response to the network topology not being configured to meet the one or more communication requirements of the grid topology. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus, comprising:
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one or more network interfaces to communicate with a computer network used to provide communication to grid devices of an electric grid; a processor coupled to the network interfaces and adapted to execute one or more processes; and a memory configured to store process executable by the processor, the process when executed operable to; determine a grid topology of the electric grid based on one or more electric grid configuration description files; determine a configuration of a network topology of the computer network used to provide communication to the grid devices, the network topology made up of a plurality of network devices, wherein determining the configuration of the network topology of the computer network includes mapping the virtual local area network (VLAN) configurations within the computer network; assess whether the configuration of the network topology is configured to meet one or more communication requirements of the grid topology, wherein assessing includes overlaying the network topology on the grid topology and verifying that the VLAN configurations match the one or more communication requirements of the grid topology to prevent faults in the grid topology and the network topology; and trigger an automatic reconfiguration of the network topology to meet the one or more communication requirements of the grid topology in response to the network topology not being configured to meet the one or more communication requirements of the grid topology. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media having software encoded thereon, the software when executed by a processor operable to:
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determine a grid topology of an electric grid based on one or more electric grid configuration description files; determine a configuration of a network topology of a computer network used to provide communication to grid devices of the electric grid, the network topology made up of a plurality of network devices, wherein determining the configuration of the network topology of the computer network includes mapping the virtual local area network (VLAN) configurations within the computer network; assess whether the configuration of the network topology is configured to meet one or more communication requirements of the grid topology, wherein assessing includes overlaying the network topology on the grid topology and verifying that the VLAN configurations match the one or more communication requirements of the grid topology to prevent faults in the grid topology and the network topology; and trigger an automatic reconfiguration of the network topology to meet the one or more communication requirements of the grid topology in response to the network topology not being configured to meet the one or more communication requirements of the grid topology. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification