Dynamic Heuristic Packages for Network Assurance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network assurance services rely on static, expert-defined heuristic packages that do not generalize well across networks and require manual revision with changes, such as new equipment deployments or configuration changes.

Innovation Solution

A deep fusion reasoning engine (DFRE) that learns resource utilizations and dynamically selects and deploys heuristic packages based on network telemetry data, adjusting monitoring rules and subservices to evaluate network operation effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If static, expert-defined heuristic packages are used for network assurance, then the monitoring rules and subservices can be clearly defined, but the system cannot adapt to network changes and requires manual revision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to network changesVSAvoidmanual revision requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static heuristic packages to dynamic, automatically generated monitoring rules. The system continuously learns from network telemetry data and adapts monitoring parameters in real-time, allowing the heuristic package to evolve with network changes without manual intervention. This resolves the contradiction by making the system both adaptable to changes and automated in its updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service through automated machine learning models that generate and update heuristic packages autonomously. The system uses unsupervised learning to identify patterns in network data and automatically creates monitoring rules without requiring expert intervention. This eliminates manual revision requirements while maintaining adaptability to network changes through continuous self-learning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If static heuristic packages are deployed, then the monitoring configuration is stable, but it varies from network to network and does not generalize well

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeneralizability across networksVSAvoidconfiguration variation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a standardized automated heuristic generation framework that can be deployed across diverse network types. The machine learning models learn universal patterns from multi-vendor network data and generate applicable monitoring rules for different network configurations. This enables the system to generalize across networks while maintaining appropriate local adaptations through automated parameter tuning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by allowing the system to automatically adjust monitoring thresholds, metrics, and rules based on learned network characteristics. The machine learning models dynamically modify heuristic parameters to match specific network conditions while maintaining a consistent underlying framework. This resolves the contradiction by enabling generalizability through standardized methods while accommodating network-specific variations through automated parameter adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If manual revision of heuristic packages is performed, then the monitoring accuracy can be maintained, but the response time to network changes is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring accuracyVSAvoidresponse time to changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through continuous monitoring of network telemetry data and automated evaluation of heuristic package effectiveness. The system uses unsupervised learning to detect when current monitoring rules become ineffective and automatically generates updated rules. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains monitoring accuracy while eliminating the time delay associated with manual revision cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by proactively generating updated heuristic packages before performance degradation occurs. The machine learning models continuously analyze network patterns and prepare updated monitoring rules in advance, deploying them automatically when changes are detected. This prevents accuracy loss before it happens and eliminates reactive manual intervention delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11687798B2Dynamic heuristic packages and metrics for network assurance using a deep fusion reasoning engine
Publication Date: 2023.06.27 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • US11687798B2 patent drawing
  • US11687798B2 patent drawing
  • US11687798B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In one embodiment, a deep fusion reasoning engine receives network telemetry data collected from a network. The deep fusion reasoning engine learns resource utilizations for different heuristic packages that can be used in the network to evaluate operation of the network. The deep fusion reasoning engine selects one of the heuristic packages based on the resource utilizations learned for the different heuristic packages. The selected heuristic package comprises a subservice and a set of rules to be evaluated. The deep fusion reasoning engine deploys the selected heuristic package for execution by a device in the network to evaluate operation of the network using the set of rules.