A test network configuration method and system applicable to large-scale network testbeds

Abstract

The present invention discloses a test network configuration method and system applicable to a large-scale network test bed, which relates to the technical field of network testing. The system includes: 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 corresponding network element configuration services for the test network elements to be configured, and generate network element configuration commands; and 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. The present invention can better support the flexible configuration of various network elements in the test network as required and adapt to the differentiated requirements of various test tasks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of network testing, and in particular, 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 construction plan test verification. To support various test tasks, in addition to flexibly constructing a test network topology according to task requirements, a network test bed should also have the ability to flexibly configure the test network, that is, according to the needs of test tasks, 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 are flexibly configured. 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 has important 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 published technical literature, "A Network Device Configuration Method" (authorized announcement number CN104301150B) proposes a method of 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] Comparing with the flexible configuration requirements of the test network of the network test bed, the existing methods mainly have the following problems:

[0005] (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.

[0006] (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 that 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.

[0007] (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, which may cause the test task to affect and interfere with 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

[0008] 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.

[0009] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0010] A test network configuration system applicable to a large-scale network test bed, comprising:

[0011] 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;

[0012] A configuration server, configured to receive and parse configuration service control commands, select corresponding network element configuration services for the test network elements to be configured, and generate network element configuration commands;

[0013] A number of configuration agents, embedded inside the network elements of the test network, 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.

[0014] Further, the configuration controller includes:

[0015] A configuration scheme decision module, configured to obtain test network configuration requirements, test topology and physical topology mapping schemes from the outside, check 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;

[0016] 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.

[0017] Further, the configuration controller further includes:

[0018] A configuration model library, configured to manage and maintain a group of network element configuration models independent of brand / model, and there is one configuration model corresponding to each type of network element that makes up the test network;

[0019] 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;

[0020] A configuration command template library, configured to manage and maintain a group of network element configuration command templates related to brand / model, and there is one configuration command template corresponding to each network element model that makes up the test network.

[0021] Further, the network element configuration model includes the following first-level data nodes:

[0022] A network element configuration model code, serving as the globally unique identifier of the network element configuration model;

[0023] A network element type, that is, the network element type corresponding to the network element configuration model;

[0024] A configuration attribute set, configured to be a set of second-level data nodes, each second-level data node is a configuration attribute, and each configuration attribute includes a configuration attribute code, a configuration attribute name, and a configuration attribute parameter table.

[0025] Further, 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;

[0026] The network element interface list is configured as a set of second-level data nodes, and each second-level data node is an interface number and its interface type, and each second-level data node includes interface number and interface type information;

[0027] The personalized configuration parameter mapping table is configured as a set of second-level data nodes, and each second-level data node records a set of mapping relationships. One side of the mapping relationship is the personalized configuration parameter value that is different from other brands / models in the configuration command of a certain brand / model network element, and the other side is the parameter value in the corresponding network element configuration model; each second-level data node includes parameter name, parameter value, corresponding configuration model attribute code, and corresponding configuration model attribute parameter value.

[0028] Further, the configuration command template includes the following first-level data nodes:

[0029] Configuration command template code, which serves as the globally unique identifier of the configuration command template;

[0030] Network element brand, that is, the brand of the network element corresponding to the configuration command template;

[0031] Network element model, that is, the model of the network element corresponding to the configuration command template;

[0032] Network element configuration model code, that is, the network element configuration model code corresponding to the configuration command template;

[0033] 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 configuration attribute code, configuration attribute name, configuration attribute parameter table, and configuration command script;

[0034] In the configuration command set, for the parameters in the configuration command script, parameter placeholders based on the parameter name are used for placeholder.

[0035] Further, the input data obtained by the configuration controller from the outside includes test network configuration requirements, test topology and physical topology mapping scheme;

[0036] The test network configuration requirements include a list of test network network elements, a list of network element configuration items and parameters, and configuration interface protocols to be avoided. The list of test network network elements, the list of network element configuration items and parameters 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] Further, 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 a network element configuration scheme is generated. Then, according to the network element configuration scheme and the configuration command template, configuration service control commands are generated, including:

[0039] The configuration controller checks the list of network element configuration items and parameters 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 list of network element configuration items and parameters into the network element identifiers and network interface numbers in the physical topology. The personalized configuration parameter values in the list of network element configuration items and parameters are modified according to the network element basic attribute database to generate a network element configuration scheme.

[0040] 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 configuration interface protocol selected for each network element to be configured and the list of configuration commands for each network element to be configured.

[0041] A test network configuration method applicable to a large-scale network test bed includes the following steps:

[0042] S1. The configuration controller receives the test network configuration requirements and receives the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme.

[0043] S2. For each network element D in the test network network element list, the configuration controller executes the loop body from step S3 to step S5.

[0044] S3. The configuration controller parses the list of configuration items and parameters Cd of network element D and the network element configuration model Md corresponding to network element D.

[0045] 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 it is 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 it is consistent with Md and the parameters are filled in completely, it continues to execute step S5.

[0046] 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;

[0047] 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;

[0048] 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;

[0049] 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;

[0050] S9. The configuration server sends the configuration commands of network element P to the configuration agent embedded in network element P one by one;

[0051] S10. The configuration agent executes the configuration commands of network element P one by one; if all are executed successfully, a configuration success confirmation message for network element P is generated; otherwise, a configuration failure warning message for network element P is generated;

[0052] S11. The configuration agent feeds back the configuration execution result of network element P containing the configuration success confirmation message or configuration failure warning message to the configuration server;

[0053] 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.

[0054] Further, 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:

[0055] 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 by network element P;

[0056] S502. If there is no available configuration interface protocol, generate a configuration interface protocol screening failure warning message for network element P and end; otherwise, continue to execute step S503;

[0057] 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;

[0058] S504. Initialize the configuration plan 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 plan Cp;

[0059] S505. Modify the identifier of network element D in the configuration plan Cp to the identifier of network element P, and modify the network interface number to the network interface number in the physical topology;

[0060] S506. Analyze the basic attribute data of network element P, and modify the personalized configuration parameter values in the configuration plan Cp according to the personalized configuration parameter mapping table therein;

[0061] S507. Analyze the network element configuration item list in the configuration plan Cp, and for each configuration item I, execute the loop body from step S508 to step S509;

[0062] S508. Analyze the configuration command template corresponding to network element P, and find the configuration command script Si corresponding to the configuration item I;

[0063] S509. Replace the parameter placeholder in the configuration command script Si with the parameter value in the configuration plan Cp;

[0064] 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.

[0065] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0066] Focusing on the rapid and flexible configuration requirements of the test network in a large-scale network test bed, the present invention proposes a test network configuration method and system, which has an extensible network element configuration model and configuration command template. By using the system and method of the present invention, network test bed operators do not need to learn and master various types of configuration commands for various brands / models of network elements. They only need to set configuration items and parameter values for network elements in the test network according to the test task requirements and the brand / model-independent network element configuration model. The network test bed 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:

[0067] (1) It can continuously expand the configuration models of various network elements and the configuration command templates of various brands / models, and there is no limit to 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, and IDS.

[0068] (2) For the same type of network elements, it can be compatible with the personalized differences in configuration commands and configuration methods of different brands / models. When the specific network elements allocated for 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 the network elements used in the test task according to the network element resource occupancy status of the network test bed.

[0069] (3) Support 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. Description of the Drawings

[0070] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of the test network configuration system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0071] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of the network element configuration model according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0072] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of the configuration command template according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of the network element configuration items and parameter lists according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0076] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0077] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the network element configuration scheme according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0078] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of the network element configuration command list according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0079] Figure 10 It is a flowchart of the test network configuration method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0080] 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.

[0081] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of the test topology of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0082] In order to have a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of the present invention, the detailed implementation manners of the present invention will now be 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 fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0083] Embodiment 1

[0084] As Figure 1 shown, this embodiment provides a test network configuration system applicable to a large-scale network test bed, including:

[0085] 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;

[0086] A configuration server, configured to receive and parse the configuration service control command, select corresponding network element configuration services for the network elements of the test network to be configured, and generate network element configuration commands;

[0087] 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.

[0088] Specifically, the detailed description of this embodiment of the test network configuration system is as follows.

[0089] (I) Composition of the test network configuration system

[0090] The test network configuration system includes a configuration controller, a configuration server, and a variety of configuration agents embedded inside the network element devices, as Figure 1 shown.

[0091] The configuration controller obtains the test network configuration requirements, the test topology and the physical topology mapping scheme from the outside, checks and verifies the test network configuration requirements based on the network element configuration model independent of the brand / model and the network element basic attribute library, and generates a network element configuration plan related to the brand / model. The configuration controller then generates a configuration service control command according to the network element configuration plan and the configuration command template related to the brand / model, and issues it to the configuration server.

[0092] The configuration server provides a set of network element configuration services, and 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 commands, selects an appropriate network element configuration service for the network elements of the test network to be configured, generates network element configuration commands, and sends them to the configuration agents within the corresponding test network elements.

[0093] The configuration agents are 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 agents communicate with the corresponding configuration services inside the configuration server through the management interfaces of the network elements, receive and execute the network element configuration commands, and complete the configuration of the network elements.

[0094] 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:

[0095] The configuration scheme decision module is configured to obtain the test network configuration requirements, the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme 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 scheme related to brand / model.

[0096] The configuration service control module is configured to generate configuration service control commands according to the network element configuration scheme and the configuration command templates related to brand / model.

[0097] 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.

[0098] The configuration command template library manages and maintains a set of network element configuration command templates related to brand / model. Each network element model used to form the test network corresponds to a configuration command template.

[0099] 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.

[0100] (2) Network element configuration model independent of brand / model

[0101] A network element configuration model consists of a set of data nodes in a tree structure, as Figure 2 shown.

[0102] Preferably, the network element configuration model includes the following first-level data nodes:

[0103] (1) Network element configuration model code: It is the globally unique identifier of this network element configuration model.

[0104] (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.

[0105] (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:

[0106] a) Configuration attribute code: It is the globally unique identifier of this configuration attribute.

[0107] b) Configuration attribute name: A 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.

[0108] c) Configuration attribute parameter table: It includes 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.

[0109] More preferably, the structure of the configuration attribute parameter table is shown in Table 1.

[0110] Table 1 - Example of the structure of the configuration attribute parameter table

[0111]

[0112] (III) Configuration command template related to brand / model

[0113] A configuration command template consists of a set of data nodes in a tree structure, as Figure 3 shown.

[0114] Preferably, the configuration command template includes the following first-level data nodes:

[0115] (1) Configuration command template code: It is the globally unique identifier of this configuration command template.

[0116] (2) Network element brand: The brand of the network element corresponding to this configuration command template.

[0117] (3) Network element model: The model of the network element corresponding to this configuration command template.

[0118] (4) Corresponding network element configuration model code: The network element configuration model code corresponding to this configuration command template.

[0119] (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:

[0120] a) Configuration attribute code: The same as the configuration attribute code in the corresponding network element configuration model.

[0121] b) Configuration attribute name: The same as the configuration attribute name in the corresponding network element configuration model.

[0122] c) Configuration attribute parameter table: The same as the configuration attribute parameter table in the corresponding network element configuration model.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] (4) Network element basic attribute data

[0126] The network element basic attribute data consists of a set of data nodes in a tree structure, as Figure 4 shown.

[0127] Preferably, the network element basic attribute data contains the following primary data nodes:

[0128] (1) Network element identifier: It is the globally unique identifier of this network element in the network test bed.

[0129] (2) Network element type: The type of this network element, such as computer terminal, server, switch, router, firewall, VPN gateway, IPS, IDS, etc.

[0130] (3) Network element brand: The brand of this network element.

[0131] (4) Network element model: The model of this network element.

[0132] (5) Corresponding network element configuration model code: The network element configuration model code corresponding to this network element.

[0133] (6) Corresponding configuration command template code: The configuration command template code corresponding to this network element.

[0134] (7)List of NE Interfaces: 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:

[0135] a) Interface Number: The unique number of the interface in this NE.

[0136] b) Interface Type: The type of the interface, such as various Ethernet interfaces like FE / GE / 10GE / 40GE, Fibre Channel interface, SDH interface, POS interface, E1 interface, etc.

[0137] (8)List of Supported Configuration Interface Protocols: The configuration interface protocols supported by this NE, such as SSH, TELNET, NETCONF, SNMP, HTTP, etc.

[0138] (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 personalized configuration parameter value that is different from other brands / models in the configuration commands of this brand / model NE, and the other side is the parameter value in the corresponding NE configuration model. Typical personalized configuration parameters include interface type, interface enabling, etc. More preferably, each secondary data node contains the following information:

[0139] a) Parameter Name: The name of the personalized configuration parameter of this brand / model NE.

[0140] b) Parameter Value: The personalized configuration parameter value that is different from other brands / models.

[0141] c) Corresponding Configuration Model Attribute Code: In the corresponding NE configuration model, the configuration model attribute code to which this parameter belongs.

[0142] d) Corresponding Configuration Model Attribute Parameter Value: In the corresponding NE configuration model, the configuration model attribute parameter value corresponding to this parameter value.

[0143] (V)Input Data Description of the Configuration Controller

[0144] The input data obtained by the configuration controller from the outside includes the test network configuration requirements, the mapping scheme between the test topology and the physical topology. Among them, the test network configuration requirements include information such as the test network NE list, the NE configuration item and parameter list, and the configuration interface protocols to be avoided.

[0145] The test network NE list, the NE configuration item and parameter list are respectively as Figure 5 、 Figure 6As shown. The list of test network network elements, the list of network element configuration items and parameters are all brand / model-independent, and the network element identifiers and network interface numbers in them are the network element identifiers and network interface numbers in the test topology.

[0146] The test topology and physical topology mapping scheme includes information such as the mapping of test topology and physical topology network elements, the mapping of test topology and physical topology network interfaces, as Figure 7 shown.

[0147] (6) Explanation of the output data and intermediate data of the configuration controller

[0148] The configuration controller checks the list of network element configuration items and parameters according to the network element configuration model, and then converts the network element identifiers and network interface numbers in the test network network element list, network element configuration items and parameter list into the network element identifiers and network interface numbers in the physical topology according to the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme, and generates a network element configuration scheme. The network element configuration scheme is as Figure 8 shown, and is brand / model-related, and the network element identifiers and network interface numbers in it are the network element identifiers and network interface numbers in the physical topology.

[0149] 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 for each network element to be configured. The configuration command list is as Figure 9 shown, and is brand / model-related, and the network element identifiers and network interface numbers in it are the network element identifiers and network interface numbers in the physical topology.

[0150] In summary, the test network configuration system of this embodiment has the following characteristics:

[0151] (1) It supports flexible configuration of common network elements such as computer terminals, servers, switches, routers, firewalls, VPN gateways, IPS, IDS, etc. in the test topology according to the requirements of the test task for the types of network elements and network planning of the test network.

[0152] (2) For various common network elements, 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 can not pay attention to the configuration commands of specific brands / models, and only need to set the configuration items and parameter values for the network elements in the test network according to the network element configuration model that is independent of the brand / model; the network test bed generates the network element configuration commands that match the brand / model of the network element and sends them to the relevant network elements for execution to complete the flexible configuration on demand.

[0153] (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.

[0154] Embodiment 2

[0155] Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment:

[0156] This embodiment provides a test network configuration method applicable to a large-scale network test bed, as Figure 10 shown, including the following steps:

[0157] S1. The configuration controller receives the test network configuration requirements and the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme;

[0158] 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;

[0159] 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;

[0160] 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 reread Cd, and returns to step S3; if they are consistent with Md and the parameters are filled in completely, it continues to execute step S5;

[0161] 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 physical topology in the test topology, selects a configuration interface protocol for network element P and generates a configuration command list Lp;

[0162] 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 issues it to the configuration server;

[0163] 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;

[0164] S8. The configuration server selects the corresponding configuration service according to the configuration interface protocol selected by network element P, and generates configuration commands item by item according to the configuration command list Lp of network element P;

[0165] S9. The configuration server sends the configuration commands of network element P to the configuration agent embedded in network element P one by one.

[0166] S10. The configuration agent executes the configuration commands of network element P one by one; if all executions are successful, a configuration success confirmation message for network element P is generated; otherwise, a configuration failure warning message for network element P is generated.

[0167] S11. The configuration agent feeds back the execution result of the configuration of network element P containing the configuration success confirmation message or the configuration failure warning message to the configuration server.

[0168] 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 configuration execution results of all network elements and feeds them back to the configuration controller.

[0169] Preferably, in step S5, the configuration interface protocol for network element P is selected and a configuration command list Lp is generated, as Figure 11 shown, including the following sub-steps:

[0170] 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.

[0171] S502. If there is no available configuration interface protocol, generate a configuration interface protocol screening failure warning message for network element P and end; otherwise, continue to execute step S503.

[0172] 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.

[0173] 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.

[0174] 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.

[0175] 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.

[0176] 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.

[0177] S508. Analyze the configuration command template corresponding to network element P, and find the configuration command script Si corresponding to configuration item I;

[0178] S509. Replace the parameter placeholders in the configuration command script Si with the parameter values in the configuration scheme Cp;

[0179] 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.

[0180] Embodiment 3

[0181] This embodiment is based on Embodiment 2:

[0182] This embodiment provides a test network configuration method applicable to a large-scale network test bed, which is specifically described as follows.

[0183] 1. Scheme overview

[0184] The test topology of this embodiment is as 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.

[0185] The network planning of the test network is as follows:

[0186] (1) The network segment address of subnet I is 192.168.1.0 / 24; the gateway is located on switch S1, and the IP address is 192.168.1.254.

[0187] (2) The network segment address of subnet II is 192.168.2.0 / 24; the gateway is located on switch S2, and the IP address is 192.168.2.254.

[0188] (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.

[0189] This embodiment takes router R as an example to illustrate the process of generating configuration commands for network elements. The process of generating configuration commands for other network elements can be inferred by analogy.

[0190] In this embodiment, it is assumed that a total of two tests are conducted. 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 reassigned to router R, and the corresponding configuration commands were regenerated according to the configuration command template of the Y-type router of brand H.

[0191] 2. Network element configuration model of the router

[0192] 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.

[0193] Table 2 - Configuration attributes of the router network element configuration model

[0194]

[0195] 3. Configuration command templates for two types of routers

[0196] The configuration command template is related to the specific brand / model of the network element. Table 3 and Table 4 respectively give the configuration command sets of the configuration command templates for the X-type router of brand C and the Y-type router 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 table.

[0197] 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. When the parameter values are determined, specific parameter values are used to replace the parameter placeholders when generating the configuration commands.

[0198] Table 3 - Configuration command set of the X-type router of brand C

[0199]

[0200] Table 4 - Configuration command set of the Y-type router of brand H

[0201]

[0202] 4. Network element basic attribute data of two types of routers

[0203] 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, 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 Router X of Brand C, the value of the interface type parameter is represented by 10gigabitethernet for 10GE interfaces, and the value of the interface enabling parameter is represented by no shutdown for setting enabling (i.e., up). 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 Router Y of Brand H, the value of the interface type parameter is represented by XGE for 10GE interfaces, and the value of the interface enabling parameter is represented by undoshutdown for setting enabling.

[0204] The basic attribute data of the network elements of Router X of Brand C and Router Y of Brand H are shown in Table 5 and Table 6 respectively.

[0205] Table 5 - Basic Attribute Data of the Network Element of Router X of Brand C

[0206]

[0207] Table 6 - Basic Attribute Data of the Network Element of Router Y of Brand H

[0208]

[0209] 5. Network Element Configuration Items and Parameter List of Router R

[0210] The operator of the network test bed determines the configuration items that Router R needs to configure 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, so as to obtain 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.

[0211] Table 7 - Network Element Configuration Items and Parameter List of Router R

[0212]

[0213] 6. Generation of Network Element Configuration Commands for the First Test

[0214] The operation of assigning the actual router network element in the network test bed to router R in the test topology can be handled manually by an operator or automated by designing a computer program. The assignment method is not within the scope of the present invention. The assignment 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 the network element basic data.

[0215] Suppose that in the first test, an X-type router network element of brand C is assigned to router R. Physical interface 1 in the test topology corresponds to physical interface 0 / 0 / 4 of this network element, and physical interface 2 corresponds to physical interface 0 / 0 / 3 of this network element. In the configuration commands of the X-type router of brand C, the 10GE interface is represented as 10gigabitethernet; the interface enabling is represented as noshutdown. Then the modified network element configuration scheme is shown in Table 8.

[0216] Table 8 - Network Element Configuration Scheme with an X-type Router of Brand C Assigned

[0217]

[0218] 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 (assigned an X-type router of brand C) in the first test, as shown in Table 9.

[0219] Table 9 - Network Element Configuration Commands with an X-type Router of Brand C Assigned

[0220]

[0221] 7. Generation of Network Element Configuration Commands for the Second Test

[0222] Suppose that in the second test, since the X-type router network element of brand C used in the first test has been occupied by other test tasks, an Y-type router network element of brand H is reassigned to router R. Physical interface 1 in the test topology corresponds to physical interface 0 / 1 of this network element, and physical interface 2 corresponds to physical interface 0 / 6 of this network element. In the configuration commands of the Y-type router of brand H, the 10GE interface is represented as XGE; the interface enabling is represented as undo shutdown. Then the modified network element configuration scheme is shown in Table 10.

[0223] Table 10 - Network Element Configuration Scheme with an Y-type Router of Brand H Assigned

[0224]

[0225] According to the network element configuration plan and the command template of the H-brand Y-type router, replace the parameter placeholder in the command template with the corresponding parameter value in the network element configuration plan, and finally obtain the configuration command of router R (assigned with the H-brand Y-type router) during the second test, as shown in Table 11.

[0226] Table 11 - Network Element Configuration Commands Assigned with the H-brand Y-type Router

[0227]

[0228] 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 a large-scale network test bed, 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 corresponding network element configuration services for the network elements of the test network to be configured, and generate network element configuration commands; 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; The input data obtained by the configuration controller from the outside includes the test network configuration requirements and the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme; The test network configuration requirements include a test network network element list, a network element configuration item and parameter list, and a configuration interface protocol to be avoided. The test network network element list, the network element configuration item and parameter list are independent of the brand / model. The network element identifier and network interface number therein are the network element identifier and network interface number 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; In the configuration controller, based on the network element configuration model and the network element basic attribute library, checking and verifying the test network configuration requirements and generating a network element configuration plan, and then generating a configuration service control command according to the network element configuration plan and the configuration command template, including: The configuration controller checks and verifies the network element configuration item 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 identifier and network interface number in the test network network element list and the network element configuration item and parameter list into the network element identifier and network interface number in the physical topology, modifies the personalized configuration parameter values in the network element configuration item and parameter list according to the network element basic attribute database, and generates a network element configuration plan; The configuration controller then generates a configuration service control command according to the network element configuration plan and the configuration command template corresponding to the brand / model, and outputs it to the configuration server; the configuration service control command includes the selected configuration interface protocol for each network element to be configured and the configuration command list for each network element to be configured.

2. The test network configuration system for a large-scale network test bed according to claim 1, wherein, The configuration controller includes: A configuration plan decision module, configured to obtain the test network configuration requirements and the test topology and physical topology mapping scheme from the outside, check and verify the test network configuration requirements based on the network element configuration model and the network element basic attribute library independent of the brand / model, and generate a network element configuration plan related to the 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 the 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 group of network element configuration models independent of the brand / model, with one configuration model corresponding to each type of network element constituting the test network; A network element basic attribute library, configured to manage and maintain the basic attribute data of each network element constituting the test network; Configure a command template library, which is configured to manage and maintain a set of network element configuration command templates related to brands / models. Each network element model for constructing a test network corresponds to a configuration command template.

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: Network element configuration model code, which serves as the globally unique identifier of the network element configuration model; Network element type, that is, the network element type corresponding to the network element configuration model; Configuration attribute set, which is configured as a set of second-level data nodes. Each second-level data node is a configuration attribute, and each configuration attribute includes a configuration attribute code, a configuration attribute name, and a configuration attribute parameter table.

5. The test network configuration system for 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, 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 as a set of second-level data nodes. Each second-level data node is an interface number and its interface type, and each second-level data node includes the interface number and interface type information; The personalized configuration parameter mapping table is configured as a set of second-level data nodes. Each second-level data node records a set of mapping relationships. One side of the mapping relationship is the personalized configuration parameter value in the configuration command of a certain 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; 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 for a large-scale network test bed according to claim 1, characterized in that, The configuration command template includes the following first-level data nodes: Configuration command template code, which serves 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, which is configured as a set of second-level data nodes. 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 configuration command set, for the parameters in the configuration command script, parameter placeholders based on the parameter name are used for placeholder.

7. 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 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 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 it is 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 it is 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 proxy embedded in network element P one by one; S10. The configuration proxy 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 proxy 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.

8. A test network configuration method applicable to a large-scale network test bed according to claim 7, 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 for each configuration item I, execute the loop body from step S508 to step S509; 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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