Test network configuration method and system suitable for large-scale network test bed

Abstract

The invention discloses a test network configuration method and system suitable for a large-scale network test bed, and relates to the technical field of network testing, and the system comprises a configuration controller which is configured to check a test network configuration requirement and generate a network element configuration scheme based on a network element configuration model and a network element basic attribute library, generating a configuration service control command according to the network element configuration scheme and the configuration command template; the configuration server is configured to receive and analyze the configuration service control command, select a corresponding network element configuration service for a to-be-configured test network element, and generate a network element configuration command; and the plurality of configuration agents are embedded in the network elements of the test network, can communicate with the corresponding configuration services in the configuration server through the management interfaces of the network elements, receive and execute the network element configuration command, and complete the configuration of the network elements. According to the invention, flexible configuration of various network elements in the test network as required can be well supported, and the method adapts to different requirements of various test tasks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of network testing, and particularly to a test network configuration method and system applicable to a large-scale network test bed. Background Art

[0002] A network test bed is an important tool for network technology research, new product development, and verification of construction plan tests. To support various test tasks, in addition to flexibly constructing a test network topology according to task requirements, the network test bed should also have the ability to flexibly configure the test network, that is, flexibly configure various parameters, policies, and rules such as network segments, IP addresses, VLANs, routing policies, and firewall rules of each network element in the test network according to the needs of the test task. When the scale of the test network is large, due to the large variety and quantity of network elements, and the configuration commands of different brands / models of network elements are different, the method of manual configuration by operators not only has a large workload, but also is prone to configuration errors or inconsistencies, resulting in a long generation cycle of the test network and reduced test efficiency. Therefore, for a large-scale network test bed, it is of great practical value to achieve semi-automatic or automatic flexible configuration of the test network.

[0003] Currently, some methods for flexible configuration for specific types of network elements or specific functions have been proposed in the industry. For example, in the publicly available technical literature, "A Network Device Configuration Method" (authorized announcement number CN104301150B) proposes a method for transplanting the configuration of the smallest network unit composed of network devices such as routers, switches, and passive optical networks to other smallest network units with the same structure and function. "A Method, Device, and System for Building an Automated Test Platform for SONiC" (authorized announcement number CN111416755B) proposes a method for configuring devices using SONiC as a network operating system. "A Network Configuration Method and Device" (application publication number CN115632941A) proposes a method for configuring the VLAN function of an access switch using the BGP protocol. "A Network Configuration Method, Device, Storage Medium, and Program Product" (application publication number CN119629049A) proposes a method for configuring time-sensitive network devices.

[0004] Compared with the flexible configuration requirements of the test network of the network test bed, the existing methods mainly have the following problems: (1) The existing methods are mainly proposed for networks that need to run for a long time. The types of network elements, brands / models, and network planning are generally stable and do not change frequently. In a network test bed, the test network is only valid within the life cycle of the corresponding test task. There are significant differences in the test network topologies, types of network elements, brands / models, configuration items, and parameters used for different test tasks. When a task is completed, the network element configuration used by it will be reset to prepare for the next task. Therefore, the test network configuration method should also support frequent changes in the types of network elements, brands / models, configuration items, and parameters.

[0005] (2) The existing methods often only support flexible configuration of specific or a small number of brands / models of network elements. In a large-scale network test bed, for each type of network element such as computer terminals, servers, switches, routers, firewalls, etc., there are often multiple network element devices of different brands / models, forming a network element resource pool, which can be reused by multiple test tasks. However, for the same function of the same type of network element, the configuration commands and parameters of different brands / models may also be different. Therefore, the test network configuration method should also be compatible with the differences in configuration commands and parameters of different brands / models of network elements.

[0006] (3) Network element configuration interfaces often use protocols such as SSH, TELNET, NETCONF, SNMP, HTTP, etc. However, the content of the test task may also involve these protocols, resulting in the test task having an impact and interference on the network element configuration. Therefore, the test network configuration method should also support multiple configuration interface protocols and flexibly select according to the characteristics of the test task to avoid the possible impacts brought by the test task. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention proposes a test network configuration method and system applicable to a large-scale network test bed, which can better adapt to the differentiated requirements of various test tasks for the test network, support flexible configuration of various network elements as needed, and support frequent changes in the types of network elements, brands / models, configuration items, and parameters of the test network.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: A test network configuration system applicable to a large-scale network test bed, comprising: A configuration controller, configured to check and verify the test network configuration requirements based on the network element configuration model and the network element basic attribute library, generate a network element configuration plan, and then generate a configuration service control command according to the network element configuration plan and the configuration command template; A configuration server, configured to receive and parse the configuration service control command, select a corresponding network element configuration service for the network elements of the test network to be configured, and generate a network element configuration command; A number of configuration agents are embedded inside the network elements of the test network and can communicate with the corresponding configuration services inside the configuration server through the management interfaces of the network elements, receive and execute network element configuration commands, and complete the configuration of the network elements.

[0009] Furthermore, the configuration controller includes: A configuration scheme decision-making module, configured to obtain test network configuration requirements, test topology and physical topology mapping schemes from the outside, check and verify the test network configuration requirements based on a network element configuration model independent of brand / model and a network element basic attribute library, and generate a network element configuration scheme related to brand / model; A configuration service control module, configured to generate configuration service control commands according to the network element configuration scheme and a configuration command template related to brand / model.

[0010] Furthermore, the configuration controller further includes: A configuration model library, configured to manage and maintain a set of network element configuration models independent of brand / model, with one configuration model corresponding to each type of network element that makes up the test network; A network element basic attribute library, configured to manage and maintain the basic attribute data of each network element that makes up the test network; A configuration command template library, configured to manage and maintain a set of network element configuration command templates related to brand / model, with one configuration command template corresponding to each network element model that makes up the test network.

[0011] Furthermore, the network element configuration model includes the following first-level data nodes: A network element configuration model code, serving as the globally unique identifier of the network element configuration model; A network element type, that is, the network element type corresponding to the network element configuration model; A configuration attribute set, configured to be a set of second-level data nodes, each second-level data node being a configuration attribute, and each configuration attribute including a configuration attribute code, a configuration attribute name, and a configuration attribute parameter table.

[0012] Furthermore, in the network element basic attribute library, the network element basic attribute data includes the following first-level data nodes: network element identifier, network element type, network element brand, network element model, corresponding network element configuration model code, corresponding configuration command template code, network element interface list, supported configuration interface protocol list, and personalized configuration parameter mapping table; The network element interface list is configured to be a set of second-level data nodes, each second-level data node being an interface number and its interface type, and each second-level data node including the interface number and interface type information; The personalized configuration parameter mapping table is configured as a set of secondary data nodes. Each secondary data node records a set of mapping relationships. One side of the mapping relationship is the personalized configuration parameter values in the configuration commands of a certain brand / model network element that are different from other brands / models, and the other side is the parameter values in the corresponding network element configuration model. Each secondary data node includes a parameter name, a parameter value, the corresponding configuration model attribute code, and the corresponding configuration model attribute parameter value.

[0013] Furthermore, the configuration command template includes the following primary data nodes: Configuration command template code, serving as the globally unique identifier of the configuration command template; Network element brand, that is, the brand of the network element corresponding to the configuration command template; Network element model, that is, the model of the network element corresponding to the configuration command template; Network element configuration model code, that is, the network element configuration model code corresponding to the configuration command template; Configuration command set, configured as a set of secondary data nodes. Each secondary data node is a configuration attribute and its configuration command. Each secondary data node includes a configuration attribute code, a configuration attribute name, a configuration attribute parameter table, and a configuration command script; In the configuration command set, for the parameters in the configuration command script, parameter placeholders based on the parameter name are used for placeholder.

[0014] Furthermore, the input data obtained by the configuration controller from the outside includes test network configuration requirements, test topology and physical topology mapping schemes; The test network configuration requirements include a test network network element list, network element configuration items and parameter lists, and configuration interface protocols to be avoided. The test network network element list, network element configuration items and parameter lists are independent of the brand / model. The network element identifiers and network interface numbers therein are the network element identifiers and network interface numbers in the test topology; The test topology and physical topology mapping scheme includes test topology and physical topology network element mapping and test topology and physical topology network interface mapping information.

[0015] Furthermore, in the configuration controller, based on the network element configuration model and the network element basic attribute library, the test network configuration requirements are checked and verified to generate a network element configuration scheme, and then configuration service control commands are generated according to the network element configuration scheme and the configuration command template, including: The configuration controller checks the network element configuration items and parameter lists according to the network element configuration model, and then, according to the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme, converts the network element identifiers and network interface numbers in the test network network element list, network element configuration items and parameter lists into network element identifiers and network interface numbers in the physical topology, modifies the personalized configuration parameter values in the network element configuration items and parameter lists according to the network element basic attribute database, and generates a network element configuration scheme; The configuration controller then generates a configuration service control command according to the network element configuration scheme and the configuration command template of the corresponding brand / model, and outputs it to the configuration server; the configuration service control command includes the configuration interface protocol selected for each network element to be configured and the configuration command list of each network element to be configured.

[0016] A test network configuration method applicable to a large-scale network test bed includes the following steps: S1. The configuration controller receives the test network configuration requirements and receives the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme; S2. The configuration controller executes the loop body from step S3 to step S5 for each network element D in the test network network element list; S3. The configuration controller parses the configuration items and parameter list Cd of network element D and the network element configuration model Md corresponding to network element D; S4. The configuration controller checks whether the configuration attributes and parameter table of Cd are consistent with Md and whether the parameters are filled in completely; if they are inconsistent with Md or the parameters are not filled in completely, it prompts to modify and reads Cd again, and returns to step S3; if they are consistent with Md and the parameters are filled in completely, it continues to execute step S5; S5. The configuration controller parses the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme, finds the network element P actually corresponding to network element D in the test topology in the physical topology, selects a configuration interface protocol for network element P and generates a configuration command list Lp; S6. After the loop body from step S3 to step S5 has been executed for each network element in the test network network element list, the configuration controller summarizes the configuration command lists and selected configuration interface protocols generated for each network element, combines them to generate the configuration service control command for the entire test network, and issues it to the configuration server; S7. The configuration server executes the loop body from step S8 to step S11 for each network element P in the configuration service control command; S8. The configuration server selects the corresponding configuration service according to the configuration interface protocol selected by network element P, and generates configuration commands one by one according to the configuration command list Lp of network element P; S9. The configuration server issues the configuration commands of network element P to the configuration agent embedded in network element P one by one; S10. Configure the agent to execute the configuration commands of network element P one by one; if all are executed successfully, generate a confirmation message for the successful configuration of network element P; otherwise, generate an alarm message for the failed configuration of network element P; S11. The configuration agent feeds back the execution result of the configuration of network element P containing the confirmation message for successful configuration or the alarm message for failed configuration to the configuration server; S12. After the loop body from step S8 to step S11 has been executed for each network element in the configuration service control command, the configuration server summarizes the execution results of the configurations of all network elements and feeds them back to the configuration controller.

[0017] Further, in step S5, the selection of the configuration interface protocol for network element P and the generation of the configuration command list Lp include the following sub-steps: S501. Compare the configuration interface protocol information to be avoided with the list of configuration interface protocols supported by network element P, and select the configuration interface protocol to be used for network element P; S502. If there is no available configuration interface protocol, generate an alarm message for the failed screening of the configuration interface protocol of network element P and end; otherwise, continue to execute step S503; S503. Analyze the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme, and find the network interface in the physical topology that actually corresponds to the network interface of network element D in the test topology; S504. Initialize the configuration scheme Cp of network element P, and copy the parameter values in the configuration item and parameter list Cd of network element D to the configuration scheme Cp; S505. Modify the identifier of network element D in the configuration scheme Cp to the identifier of network element P, and modify the network interface number to the network interface number in the physical topology; S506. Analyze the basic attribute data of network element P, and modify the personalized configuration parameter values in the configuration scheme Cp according to the personalized configuration parameter mapping table therein; S507. Analyze the network element configuration item list in the configuration scheme Cp, and for each configuration item I, execute the loop body from step S508 to step S509; S508. Analyze the configuration command template corresponding to network element P, and find the configuration command script Si corresponding to the configuration item I; S509. Replace the parameter placeholder in the configuration command script Si with the parameter value in the configuration scheme Cp; S5010. After the loop body from step S508 to step S509 has been executed for each configuration item in the network element configuration item list, merge the configuration command scripts corresponding to each configuration item to form the configuration command list Lp of network element P.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: In view of the requirements for rapid and flexible configuration of test networks in large-scale network testbeds, the present invention proposes a test network configuration method and system, which has an extensible network element configuration model and configuration command templates. By using the system and method of the present invention, network testbed operators do not need to learn and master the configuration commands of various types, brands / models of network elements. They only need to set configuration items and parameter values for the network elements in the test network according to the test task requirements, in accordance with a brand / model-independent network element configuration model. The network testbed can automatically generate matching network element configuration commands according to the brand / model of the network element and send them to the relevant network elements for execution to complete the flexible configuration of the test network. The present invention mainly has the following advantages: (1) It can continuously expand the configuration models of various types of network elements and the configuration command templates of various brands / models, without any restrictions on the supported network element types, brands / models. With the continuous accumulation of network element configuration models and configuration command templates, it can support the flexible configuration of multiple types of network elements such as computer terminals, servers, switches, routers, firewalls, VPN gateways, IPS, IDS, etc.

[0019] (2) For the same type of network elements, it can be compatible with the individual differences in configuration commands and configuration methods of different brands / models. When the specific network elements allocated to the test network change, there is no need to adjust the network element configuration items and parameter lists; the test network configuration system can automatically generate configuration commands suitable for the network element brand / model, so as to support the dynamic allocation of network elements used in test tasks according to the network element resource occupancy status of the network testbed.

[0020] (3) It supports multiple network element configuration interface protocols such as SSH, TELNET, NETCONF, SNMP, HTTP, etc., and can flexibly select the configuration interface protocol according to the characteristics of the test task, so as to avoid the influence and interference of the test task on the network element configuration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of the test network configuration system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of the network element configuration model according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of the configuration command template according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of the basic attribute data of the network element according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of the test network network element list according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of network element configuration items and parameter lists in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of the network element configuration scheme in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of the network element configuration command list in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 10 It is a flowchart of the test network configuration method in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 11 It is a flowchart of selecting a configuration interface protocol for network element P and generating a configuration command list Lp in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of the test topology in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0033] For a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of the present invention, the specific implementation manners of the present invention are now described. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention, that is, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] Embodiment 1 As Figure 1 shown, this embodiment provides a test network configuration system applicable to a large-scale network test bed, including: A configuration controller, configured to check and verify the test network configuration requirements based on a network element configuration model and a network element basic attribute library, generate a network element configuration scheme, and then generate a configuration service control command according to the network element configuration scheme and a configuration command template; A configuration server, configured to receive and parse the configuration service control command, select a corresponding network element configuration service for the network elements of the test network to be configured, and generate a network element configuration command; A plurality of configuration agents, embedded inside the network elements of the test network, capable of communicating with the corresponding configuration services inside the configuration server through the management interfaces of the network elements, receiving and executing the network element configuration commands, and completing the configuration of the network elements.

[0035] Specifically, the detailed description of the test network configuration system in this implementation is as follows.

[0036] (I) Composition of the Test Network Configuration System The test network configuration system includes a configuration controller, a configuration server, and multiple configuration agents embedded inside network element devices, as Figure 1 shown.

[0037] The configuration controller obtains the test network configuration requirements, the test topology and the physical topology mapping scheme from the outside. Based on the network element configuration model independent of brand / model and the network element basic attribute library, it checks and verifies the test network configuration requirements, and generates a network element configuration scheme related to the brand / model. The configuration controller then generates a configuration service control command according to the network element configuration scheme and the configuration command template related to the brand / model, and sends it to the configuration server.

[0038] The configuration server provides a set of network element configuration services. Each network element configuration service supports a network element configuration interface protocol, such as SSH, TELNET, NETCONF, SNMP, HTTP, etc. The configuration server receives and parses the configuration service control command, selects an appropriate network element configuration service for the network elements of the test network to be configured, generates a network element configuration command, and sends it to the configuration agent inside the corresponding test network element.

[0039] The configuration agent is embedded inside the network elements of the test network. Each network element can embed one or more configuration agents. Each configuration agent supports a network element configuration interface protocol, such as SSH, TELNET, NETCONF, SNMP, HTTP, etc. The configuration agent communicates with the corresponding configuration service inside the configuration server through the management interface of the network element, receives and executes the network element configuration command, and completes the configuration of the network element.

[0040] Preferably, the configuration controller includes a configuration scheme decision module, a configuration service control module, a configuration model library, a configuration command template library, and a network element basic attribute library, where: The configuration scheme decision module is configured to obtain the test network configuration requirements, the test topology and the physical topology mapping scheme from the outside. Based on the network element configuration model independent of brand / model and the network element basic attribute library, it checks and verifies the test network configuration requirements, and generates a network element configuration scheme related to the brand / model.

[0041] The configuration service control module is configured to generate a configuration service control command according to the network element configuration scheme and the configuration command template related to the brand / model.

[0042] The configuration model library manages and maintains a set of network element configuration models independent of brand / model. Each type of network element used to form the test network corresponds to a configuration model.

[0043] The configuration command template library manages and maintains a set of network element configuration command templates related to brands / models. Each network element model used to form the test network corresponds to a configuration command template.

[0044] The network element basic attribute library manages and maintains the basic attribute data of each network element used to form the test network, including the unique identifier, type, brand, model, interface list, and personalized configuration parameter mapping table of the network element.

[0045] (2) Network element configuration model independent of brand / model A network element configuration model consists of a set of data nodes in a tree structure, as Figure 2 shown.

[0046] Preferably, the network element configuration model includes the following first-level data nodes: (1) Network element configuration model code: It is the globally unique identifier of this network element configuration model.

[0047] (2) Network element type: The network element type corresponding to this network element configuration model, such as computer terminal, server, switch, router, firewall, VPN gateway, IPS, IDS, etc.

[0048] (3) Configuration attribute set: It is a set of second-level data nodes, and each second-level data node is a configuration attribute. More preferably, each configuration attribute includes the following information: a) Configuration attribute code: It is the globally unique identifier of this configuration attribute.

[0049] b) Configuration attribute name: Text that is easy for users to understand and remember. In the same network element configuration model, the name of each configuration attribute should be unique.

[0050] c) Configuration attribute parameter table: It contains information such as the parameter name, data type, value range rule, and parameter description that need to be configured for this configuration attribute. A configuration attribute can have no parameters, or it can have one or more parameters.

[0051] More preferably, the structure of the configuration attribute parameter table is shown in Table 1.

[0052] Table 1 - Example of the structure of the configuration attribute parameter table

[0053] (3) Configuration command template related to brand / model A configuration command template consists of a set of data nodes in a tree structure, as Figure 3 shown.

[0054] Preferably, the configuration command template includes the following first-level data nodes: (1)Configuration command template encoding: It is the globally unique identifier of this configuration command template.

[0055] (2)Network element brand: The brand of the network element corresponding to this configuration command template.

[0056] (3)Network element model: The model of the network element corresponding to this configuration command template.

[0057] (4)Corresponding network element configuration model encoding: The network element configuration model encoding corresponding to this configuration command template.

[0058] (5)Configuration command set: It is a set of secondary data nodes, and each secondary data node is a configuration attribute and its configuration command. More preferably, each secondary data node contains the following information: a) Configuration attribute encoding: The same as the configuration attribute encoding in the corresponding network element configuration model.

[0059] b) Configuration attribute name: The same as the configuration attribute name in the corresponding network element configuration model.

[0060] c) Configuration attribute parameter table: The same as the configuration attribute parameter table in the corresponding network element configuration model.

[0061] d) Configuration command script: The configuration command script corresponding to this configuration attribute, which contains all the commands to complete the configuration of this attribute. If the configuration command script has parameters, they should be consistent with the parameters in the configuration attribute parameter table.

[0062] In the configuration command template, for the parameters in the configuration command script, parameter placeholders based on the parameter names are used for placeholder. When the parameter values are determined, specific parameter values are used to replace the parameter placeholders when generating the configuration command.

[0063] (IV)Network element basic attribute data The network element basic attribute data consists of a set of data nodes in a tree structure, as Figure 4 shown.

[0064] Preferably, the network element basic attribute data contains the following primary data nodes: (1)Network element identifier: It is the globally unique identifier of this network element in the network test bed.

[0065] (2)Network element type: The type of this network element, such as computer terminal, server, switch, router, firewall, VPN gateway, IPS, IDS, etc.

[0066] (3)Network element brand: The brand of this network element.

[0067] (4)Network element model: The model of this network element.

[0068] (5) Corresponding network element configuration model code: The network element configuration model code corresponding to this network element.

[0069] (6) Corresponding configuration command template code: The configuration command template code corresponding to this network element.

[0070] (7) Network element interface list: A set of secondary data nodes, where each secondary data node is an interface number and its interface type. More preferably, each secondary data node contains the following information: a) Interface number: The unique number of the interface in this network element.

[0071] b) Interface type: The type of the interface, such as various Ethernet interfaces like FE / GE / 10GE / 40GE, fiber channel interface, SDH interface, POS interface, E1 interface, etc.

[0072] (8) Supported configuration interface protocol list: The configuration interface protocols supported by this network element, such as SSH, TELNET, NETCONF, SNMP, HTTP, etc.

[0073] (9) Personalized configuration parameter mapping table: A set of secondary data nodes, where each secondary data node records a set of mapping relationships. One side of the mapping relationship is the value of the personalized configuration parameter in the configuration command of this brand / model network element that is different from other brands / models, and the other side is the parameter value in the corresponding network element configuration model. Typical personalized configuration parameters include interface type, interface enablement, etc. More preferably, each secondary data node contains the following information: a) Parameter name: The name of the personalized configuration parameter of this brand / model network element.

[0074] b) Parameter value: The value of the personalized configuration parameter that is different from other brands / models.

[0075] c) Corresponding configuration model attribute code: In the corresponding network element configuration model, the configuration model attribute code to which this parameter belongs.

[0076] d) Corresponding configuration model attribute parameter value: In the corresponding network element configuration model, the configuration model attribute parameter value corresponding to this parameter value.

[0077] (V) Input data description of the configuration controller The input data obtained by the configuration controller from the outside includes the test network configuration requirements, the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme. Among them, the test network configuration requirements include information such as the test network network element list, the network element configuration item and parameter list, and the configuration interface protocols to be avoided.

[0078] The test network network element list, the network element configuration item and parameter list are respectively asFigure 5 , Figure 6 As shown. The test network NE list, NE configuration items and parameter list are all brand / model-independent, and the NE identifiers and network interface numbers in them are the NE identifiers and network interface numbers in the test topology.

[0079] The test topology and physical topology mapping scheme includes information such as test topology and physical topology NE mapping, test topology and physical topology network interface mapping, as Figure 7 shown.

[0080] (6) Explanation of the output data and intermediate data of the configuration controller The configuration controller checks the NE configuration items and parameter list according to the NE configuration model, and then, according to the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme, converts the NE identifiers and network interface numbers in the test network NE list, NE configuration items and parameter list into the NE identifiers and network interface numbers in the physical topology to generate the NE configuration scheme. The NE configuration scheme is as Figure 8 shown, and is brand / model-related, and the NE identifiers and network interface numbers in it are the NE identifiers and network interface numbers in the physical topology.

[0081] The configuration controller then generates configuration service control commands according to the NE configuration scheme and the configuration command template corresponding to the brand / model, and outputs them to the configuration server. The configuration service control commands include the configuration interface protocol selected for each NE to be configured and the configuration command list for each NE to be configured. The configuration command list is as Figure 9 shown, and is brand / model-related, and the NE identifiers and network interface numbers in it are the NE identifiers and network interface numbers in the physical topology.

[0082] In summary, the test network configuration system of this embodiment has the following characteristics: (1) It supports flexible configuration of common NEs such as computer terminals, servers, switches, routers, firewalls, VPN gateways, IPSs, IDSs, etc. in the test topology according to the requirements of the test task for the NE types and network planning of the test network.

[0083] (2) For various common NEs, it can be compatible with the personalized differences in configuration commands and parameters of their mainstream brands / models. When carrying out the test task, the operator does not need to pay attention to the configuration commands of specific brands / models, and only needs to set the configuration items and parameter values for the NEs in the test network according to the brand / model-independent NE configuration model; the network test bed generates the NE configuration commands matching the brand / model of the NE and sends them to the relevant NEs for execution to complete the flexible configuration as needed.

[0084] (3)Supports multiple network element configuration interface protocols such as SSH, TELNET, NETCONF, SNMP, HTTP, etc., and can flexibly select the configuration interface protocol according to the characteristics of the test task, so as to avoid the influence and interference of the test task on the network element configuration.

[0085] Embodiment 2 Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment is as follows: This embodiment provides a test network configuration method applicable to a large-scale network test bed, as Figure 10 shown, including the following steps: S1. The configuration controller receives the test network configuration requirements and the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme. S2. For each network element D in the test network element list, the configuration controller executes the loop body from step S3 to step S5. S3. The configuration controller parses the configuration item and parameter list Cd of network element D and the network element configuration model Md corresponding to network element D. S4. The configuration controller checks whether the configuration attributes and parameter table of Cd are consistent with Md and whether the parameters are filled in completely; if they are inconsistent with Md or the parameters are not filled in completely, it prompts to modify and reads in Cd again, and returns to step S3; if they are consistent with Md and the parameters are filled in completely, it continues to execute step S5. S5. The configuration controller parses the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme, finds the network element P actually corresponding to network element D in the physical topology in the test topology, selects a configuration interface protocol for network element P and generates a configuration command list Lp. S6. After the loop body from step S3 to step S5 has been executed for each network element in the test network element list, the configuration controller summarizes the configuration command lists and selected configuration interface protocols generated for each network element, combines them to generate the configuration service control command for the entire test network, and sends it to the configuration server. S7. For each network element P in the configuration service control command, the configuration server executes the loop body from step S8 to step S11. S8. The configuration server selects the corresponding configuration service according to the configuration interface protocol selected by network element P, and generates configuration commands one by one according to the configuration command list Lp of network element P. S9. The configuration server sends the configuration commands of network element P to the configuration agent embedded in network element P one by one. S10. The configuration agent executes the configuration commands of network element P one by one; if all are executed successfully, it generates a network element P configuration success confirmation message; otherwise, it generates a network element P configuration failure warning message. S11. Configure a proxy to feedback the execution result of the configuration of network element P containing configuration success confirmation information or configuration failure warning information to the configuration server; S12. After the loop body from step S8 to step S11 has been executed for each network element in the configuration service control command, the configuration server summarizes the execution results of the configurations of all network elements and feedbacks them to the configuration controller.

[0086] Preferably, in step S5, when selecting a configuration interface protocol for network element P and generating a configuration command list Lp, as Figure 11 shown, it includes the following sub-steps: S501. Compare the configuration interface protocol information to be avoided with the list of configuration interface protocols supported by network element P, and select the configuration interface protocol to be used for network element P; S502. If there is no available configuration interface protocol, generate a warning message indicating the failure of screening the configuration interface protocol for network element P and end; otherwise, continue to execute step S503; S503. Analyze the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme, and find the network interface in the physical topology that actually corresponds to the network interface of network element D in the test topology; S504. Initialize the configuration scheme Cp of network element P, and copy the parameter values in the configuration item and parameter list Cd of network element D to the configuration scheme Cp; S505. Modify the identifier of network element D in the configuration scheme Cp to the identifier of network element P, and modify the network interface number to the network interface number in the physical topology; S506. Analyze the basic attribute data of network element P, and modify the personalized configuration parameter values in the configuration scheme Cp according to the personalized configuration parameter mapping table therein; S507. Analyze the network element configuration item list in the configuration scheme Cp, and for each configuration item I, execute the loop body from step S508 to step S509; S508. Analyze the configuration command template corresponding to network element P, and find the configuration command script Si corresponding to the configuration item I; S509. Replace the parameter placeholders in the configuration command script Si with the parameter values in the configuration scheme Cp; S5010. After the loop body from step S508 to step S509 has been executed for each configuration item in the network element configuration item list, merge the configuration command scripts corresponding to each configuration item to form the configuration command list Lp of network element P.

[0087] Embodiment 3 This embodiment is based on Embodiment 2: This embodiment provides a test network configuration method applicable to a large-scale network test bed, which is specifically described as follows.

[0088] 1. Scheme Overview The test topology of this embodiment is as follows Figure 12 shown, consisting of 1 router R connecting two subnets. Among them, subnet I consists of 1 switch S1 and 3 computer terminals, and subnet II consists of 1 switch S2 and 2 servers.

[0089] The network planning of the test network is as follows (1) The network segment address of subnet I is 192.168.1.0 / 24; the gateway is located on switch S1 with an IP address of 192.168.1.254.

[0090] (2) The network segment address of subnet II is 192.168.2.0 / 24; the gateway is located on switch S2 with an IP address of 192.168.2.254.

[0091] (3) Configure the static route between subnet I and subnet II on router R; the network segment address for the interconnection between R and S1 is 192.168.111.0 / 30, and the network segment address for the interconnection between R and S2 is 192.168.111.4 / 30.

[0092] This embodiment takes router R as an example to illustrate the process of generating network element configuration commands. The process of generating configuration commands for other network elements can be deduced by analogy.

[0093] In this embodiment, it is assumed that two tests are carried out in total. When conducting the first test, an X-type router of brand C was assigned to router R in the test topology, and the corresponding configuration commands were generated according to the configuration command template of the X-type router of brand C; when conducting the second test, it is assumed that the previously used X-type router of brand C has been occupied by other test tasks, so a Y-type router of brand H was re-assigned to router R, and the corresponding configuration commands were re-generated according to the configuration command template of the Y-type router of brand H.

[0094] 2. Network Element Configuration Model of Router The router has rich functions, so its network element configuration model has many configuration attributes, as shown in Table 2. To highlight the key points and without loss of generality, Table 2 only lists the configuration attributes and their parameter tables used for configuring router R in this embodiment.

[0095] Table 2 - Configuration Attributes of Router Network Element Configuration Model

[0096] 3. Configuration Command Templates for Two Types of Routers The configuration command template is related to the specific brand / model of the network element. Tables 3 and 4 respectively give the configuration command sets of the configuration command templates for Router X of Brand C and Router Y of Brand H. To highlight the key points and without loss of generality, only the configuration commands used for configuring Router R in this embodiment are listed in the tables.

[0097] In the configuration command template, for the parameters in the configuration command script, parameter placeholders in the form of "${parameter name}" are used for placeholder. After the parameter values are determined, when generating the configuration commands, the specific parameter values are used to replace the parameter placeholders.

[0098] Table 3 - Configuration Command Set for Router X of Brand C

[0099] Table 4 - Configuration Command Set for Router Y of Brand H

[0100] 4. Network Element Basic Attribute Data of the Two Types of Routers Suppose there is a Router X of Brand C (identified as hd612fs17dtq621fe88x53ga) and a Router Y of Brand H (identified as p58df782dg99btaf7823dfi9) in the network test bed. Among them, the Router X of Brand C has 4 10GE interfaces, and the interface numbers are successively 0 / 0 / 1 to 0 / 0 / 4; in the configuration commands of the Router X of Brand C, the interface type parameter value uses 10gigabitethernet to represent the 10GE interface, and the interface enable parameter value uses no shutdown to represent setting enable (i.e., up). The network element of the Router Y of Brand H has 6 10GE interfaces, and the interface numbers are successively 0 / 1 to 0 / 6; in the configuration commands of the Router Y of Brand H, the interface type parameter value uses XGE to represent the 10GE interface, and the interface enable parameter value uses undoshutdown to represent setting enable.

[0101] The network element basic attribute data of the Router X of Brand C and the Router Y of Brand H are shown in Tables 5 and 6 respectively.

[0102] Table 5 - Network Element Basic Attribute Data of Router X of Brand C

[0103] Table 6 - Network Element Basic Attribute Data of Router Y of Brand H

[0104] 5. Network Element Configuration Items and Parameter Lists of Router R The operator of the network test bed determines the configuration items that need to be configured for Router R according to the test topology and network plan; then, according to the network element configuration model of the router, determines the configuration attributes of each configuration item, and sets parameter values for the parameters in the configuration attributes, thereby obtaining the network element configuration items and parameter list of Router R, as shown in Table 7. The network element configuration items and parameter list are used as input data and provided to the configuration controller.

[0105] Table 7 - Network Element Configuration Items and Parameter List of Router R

[0106] 6. Generation of Network Element Configuration Commands for the First Test The operation of allocating the actual router network element in the network test bed to Router R in the test topology can be handled manually by the operator or automated by designing a computer program. The allocation method is not within the scope of this invention. The allocation result is recorded in the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme and provided to the configuration controller as input data. The configuration controller initializes the network element configuration scheme according to the network element configuration items and parameter list of Router R, and then modifies some parameters in the network element configuration scheme according to the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme and network element basic data.

[0107] Assume that in the first test, an X-type router network element of Brand C is allocated to Router R. Physical Interface 1 in the test topology corresponds to the 0 / 0 / 4 physical interface of this network element, and Physical Interface 2 corresponds to the 0 / 0 / 3 physical interface of this network element. In the configuration commands of the X-type router of Brand C, the 10GE interface is represented as 10gigabitethernet; interface enabling is represented as noshutdown. Then the modified network element configuration scheme is shown in Table 8.

[0108] Table 8 - Network Element Configuration Scheme with an X-type Router of Brand C Allocated

[0109] According to the network element configuration scheme and the configuration command template of the X-type router of Brand C, replace the parameter placeholders in the command template with the corresponding parameter values in the network element configuration scheme, and finally obtain the configuration commands of Router R (with an X-type router of Brand C allocated) in the first test, as shown in Table 9.

[0110] Table 9 - Network Element Configuration Commands with an X-type Router of Brand C Allocated

[0111] 7. Generation of Network Element Configuration Commands for the Second Test Suppose that during the second test, since the C brand X-type router network element used in the first test has been occupied by other test tasks, an H brand Y-type router network element was reassigned to router R. Physical interface 1 in the test topology corresponds to the 0 / 1 physical interface of this network element, and physical interface 2 corresponds to the 0 / 6 physical interface of this network element. In the configuration commands of the H brand Y-type router, the 10GE interface is represented as XGE; interface enabling is represented as undo shutdown. Then the modified network element configuration scheme is shown in Table 10.

[0112] Table 10 - Network Element Configuration Scheme with H Brand Y-Type Router Assigned

[0113] According to the network element configuration scheme and the command template of the H brand Y-type router, replace the parameter placeholders in the command template with the corresponding parameter values in the network element configuration scheme, and finally obtain the configuration commands for router R (with an H brand Y-type router assigned) during the second test, as shown in Table 11.

[0114] Table 11 - Network Element Configuration Commands with H Brand Y-Type Router Assigned

[0115] It should be noted that for the foregoing method embodiments, for the sake of simplicity of description, they are expressed as a series of action combinations. However, those skilled in the art should know that this application is not limited by the described action sequence, because according to this application, certain steps can be performed in other sequences or simultaneously. Secondly, those skilled in the art should also know that the embodiments described in the specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions and modules involved are not necessarily essential to this application.

Claims

1. A test network configuration system applicable to large-scale network testbeds, characterized in that, Including: A configuration controller, configured to check and verify the test network configuration requirements based on the network element configuration model and the network element basic attribute library, generate a network element configuration plan, and then generate a configuration service control command according to the network element configuration plan and the configuration command template; A configuration server, configured to receive and parse the configuration service control command, select a corresponding network element configuration service for the test network elements to be configured, and generate a network element configuration command; A number of configuration agents, embedded inside the network elements of the test network, capable of communicating with the corresponding configuration services inside the configuration server through the management interfaces of the network elements, receiving and executing the network element configuration commands, and completing the configuration of the network elements.

2. The test network configuration system for a large-scale network test bed according to claim 1, characterized in that, The configuration controller includes: A configuration plan decision module, configured to obtain the test network configuration requirements, the test topology and the physical topology mapping plan from the outside, check and verify the test network configuration requirements based on the network element configuration model independent of brand / model and the network element basic attribute library, and generate a network element configuration plan related to brand / model; A configuration service control module, configured to generate a configuration service control command according to the network element configuration plan and the configuration command template related to brand / model.

3. The test network configuration system applicable to a large-scale network test bed according to claim 2, wherein The configuration controller further includes: A configuration model library, configured to manage and maintain a set of network element configuration models independent of brand / model, with one configuration model corresponding to each type of network element that makes up the test network; A network element basic attribute library, configured to manage and maintain the basic attribute data of each network element that makes up the test network; A configuration command template library, configured to manage and maintain a set of network element configuration command templates related to brand / model, with one configuration command template corresponding to each network element model that makes up the test network.

4. A test network configuration system applicable to a large-scale network test bed according to claim 1, characterized in that, The network element configuration model includes the following first-level data nodes: The network element configuration model code, serving as the globally unique identifier of the network element configuration model; The network element type, i.e., the network element type corresponding to the network element configuration model; A configuration attribute set, configured to be a set of second-level data nodes, each second-level data node being a configuration attribute, and each configuration attribute including a configuration attribute code, a configuration attribute name, and a configuration attribute parameter table.

5. A test network configuration system applicable to a large-scale network test bed according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the network element basic attribute library, the network element basic attribute data includes the following first-level data nodes: network element identifier, network element type, network element brand, network element model, the corresponding network element configuration model code, the corresponding configuration command template code, the network element interface list, the supported configuration interface protocol list, and the personalized configuration parameter mapping table; The network element interface list is configured to be a set of second-level data nodes, each second-level data node being an interface number and its interface type, and each second-level data node including the interface number and the interface type information; The personalized configuration parameter mapping table is configured to be a set of second-level data nodes, each second-level data node recording a set of mapping relationships, one side of the mapping relationship being the personalized configuration parameter values in the configuration commands of network elements of a certain brand / model that are different from those of other brands / models, and the other side being the parameter values in the corresponding network element configuration model; each second-level data node includes a parameter name, a parameter value, the corresponding configuration model attribute code, and the corresponding configuration model attribute parameter value.

6. The test network configuration system applicable to a large-scale network test bed according to claim 1, characterized in that, The configuration command template includes the following first-level data nodes: The configuration command template code, which serves as the globally unique identifier of the configuration command template; The network element brand, i.e., the brand of the network element corresponding to the configuration command template; The network element model, i.e., the model of the network element corresponding to the configuration command template; The network element configuration model code, i.e., the network element configuration model code corresponding to the configuration command template; The configuration command set, which is configured as a set of second-level data nodes, and each second-level data node is a configuration attribute and its configuration command; each second-level data node includes a configuration attribute code, a configuration attribute name, a configuration attribute parameter table, and a configuration command script; In the said configuration command set, for the parameters in the configuration command script, parameter placeholders based on the parameter names are used for placeholder.

7. A test network configuration system applicable to a large-scale network test bed according to claim 1, characterized in that, The input data obtained by the configuration controller from the outside includes the test network configuration requirements, the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme; The test network configuration requirements include the test network network element list, the network element configuration items and parameter list, and the configuration interface protocols to be avoided. The test network network element list, the network element configuration items and parameter list are independent of the brand / model, and the network element identifiers and network interface numbers therein are the network element identifiers and network interface numbers in the test topology; The test topology and physical topology mapping scheme includes the test topology and physical topology network element mapping and the test topology and physical topology network interface mapping information.

8. A test network configuration system applicable to a large-scale network test bed according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the said configuration controller, based on the network element configuration model and the network element basic attribute library, the test network configuration requirements are checked and verified to generate a network element configuration scheme, and then configuration service control commands are generated according to the network element configuration scheme and the configuration command template, including: The configuration controller checks the network element configuration items and parameter list according to the network element configuration model, and then, according to the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme, converts the network element identifiers and network interface numbers in the test network network element list, the network element configuration items and parameter list into the network element identifiers and network interface numbers in the physical topology, and modifies the personalized configuration parameter values in the network element configuration items and parameter list according to the network element basic attribute database to generate a network element configuration scheme; The configuration controller then generates configuration service control commands according to the network element configuration scheme and the configuration command template corresponding to the brand / model, and outputs them to the configuration server; the configuration service control commands include the selected configuration interface protocols for each network element to be configured and the configuration command list for each network element to be configured.

9. A test network configuration method applicable to a large-scale network test bed, which is applied to a test network configuration system for a large-scale network test bed as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It includes the following steps: S1. The configuration controller receives the test network configuration requirements and receives the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme; S2. The configuration controller executes the loop body from step S3 to step S5 for each network element D in the test network network element list; S3. The configuration controller parses the configuration item and parameter list Cd of network element D and the network element configuration model Md corresponding to network element D; S4. The configuration controller checks whether the configuration attributes and parameter table of Cd are consistent with Md and whether the parameters are filled in completely; if they are inconsistent with Md or the parameters are not filled in completely, it prompts for modification and reads in Cd again, and returns to step S3; if they are consistent with Md and the parameters are filled in completely, it continues to execute step S5; S5. The configuration controller parses the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme, finds the actual corresponding network element P of network element D in the test topology in the physical topology, selects a configuration interface protocol for network element P and generates a configuration command list Lp; S6. After the loop body from step S3 to step S5 has been executed for each network element in the test network element list, the configuration controller summarizes the configuration command lists generated for each network element and the selected configuration interface protocols, combines them to generate the configuration service control commands for the entire test network, and sends them to the configuration server; S7. The configuration server executes the loop body from step S8 to step S11 for each network element P in the configuration service control commands; S8. The configuration server selects the corresponding configuration service according to the configuration interface protocol selected by network element P, and generates configuration commands one by one according to the configuration command list Lp of network element P; S9. The configuration server sends the configuration commands of network element P to the configuration agent embedded in network element P one by one; S10. The configuration agent executes the configuration commands of network element P one by one; If all executions are successful, generate a network element P configuration success confirmation message; Otherwise, generate a network element P configuration failure warning message; S11. The configuration agent feeds back the network element P configuration execution result containing the configuration success confirmation message or configuration failure warning message to the configuration server; S12. After the loop body from step S8 to step S11 has been executed for each network element in the configuration service control commands, the configuration server summarizes the configuration execution results of all network elements and feeds them back to the configuration controller.

10. A test network configuration method applicable to a large-scale network test bed according to claim 9, characterized in that In step S5, the selecting a configuration interface protocol for network element P and generating a configuration command list Lp includes the following sub-steps: S501. Compare the configuration interface protocol information to be avoided and the list of configuration interface protocols supported by network element P, and select the configuration interface protocol to be used for network element P; S502. If there is no available configuration interface protocol, generate a network element P configuration interface protocol screening failure warning message and end; Otherwise, continue to execute step S503; S503. Parse the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme, and find the actual corresponding network interface of the network interface of network element D in the test topology in the physical topology; S504. Initialize the configuration scheme Cp of network element P, and copy the parameter values in the configuration item and parameter list Cd of network element D to the configuration scheme Cp; S505. Modify the identifier of network element D in the configuration scheme Cp to the identifier of network element P, and modify the network interface number to the network interface number in the physical topology; S506. Parse the basic attribute data of network element P, and modify the personalized configuration parameter values in the configuration scheme Cp according to the personalized configuration parameter mapping table therein; S507. Parse the network element configuration item list in the configuration scheme Cp, and execute the loop body from step S508 to step S509 for each configuration item I; S508. Parse the configuration command template corresponding to network element P, and find the configuration command script Si corresponding to configuration item I; S509. Replace the parameter placeholders in the configuration command script Si with the parameter values in the configuration scheme Cp; S5010. After the loop body from step S508 to step S509 has been executed for each configuration item in the network element configuration item list, the configuration command scripts corresponding to each configuration item are merged to form the configuration command list Lp of the network element P.

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