CLI Configlet Validation via Parse Graph Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods fail to accurately validate Command Line Interfaces (CLIs) and configlets on image files without running them on a device, making it difficult to determine if a CLI configuration will be accepted by an upgraded image, especially across various Internet Operating System (IOS) platforms and releases.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that extract and compare CLIs/configlets from image files using self-describing data constructs and a parse graph, allowing validation without device execution, utilizing a universal set of CLIs/configlets for validation, and employing a web interface for input validation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If CLI validation is performed by running the image on a device, then accurate validation can be achieved, but device resources are consumed and the process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalidation accuracyVSAvoidvalidation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and validates CLI commands from the image file before the image is run on a device. By performing the validation action in advance on the image file itself, the system avoids the need to consume device resources and time during actual device operation, while still achieving accurate validation results

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If CLI validation is performed offline without device execution, then device resources are preserved and validation is faster, but accurate validation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalidation efficiencyVSAvoidvalidation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates and validates a copy of the CLI command structure extracted from the image file, rather than requiring the original image to run on a device. The extraction process creates a representative model of the CLI functionality that can be validated independently, preserving validation accuracy while enabling offline operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical execution of the image on hardware device with a computational process that extracts and validates CLI commands from the image file's data structure. This substitution uses software-based analysis instead of hardware-based execution, achieving both efficiency and accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a universal set of CLIs is used for validation across multiple IOS platforms, then compatibility is improved, but platform-specific variations may be overlooked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatform compatibilityVSAvoidplatform-specific validation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the validation process adaptive to different IOS platforms. While using a universal set of CLI commands for broad compatibility, the system can adjust the validation criteria and expected behaviors based on the specific platform and image version being validated, ensuring both versatility and platform-specific accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7707275B2Method and system for validating a CLI/configlet on a given image

Publication Date: 2010.04.27 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A method and system for validating a Command Line Interface (CLI) configlet on an image is provided. The method includes creating a parse graph using a plurality of self-describing data constructs, identifying a plurality of parse chain data constructs in the parse graph, deriving at least one CLI/configlet from the image file based on the plurality of self-describing data constructs; and comparing the at least one CLI/configlet derived from the image file with a plurality of CLIs/configlets.