Network Device FIB Snapshot Acquisition for Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network verification technologies face inefficiencies in obtaining forwarding information bases (FIBs) from devices, leading to inaccurate verification results due to the long time required for data collection, which results in inconsistent entries and delayed detection of network changes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a verification system sends request messages to devices to obtain FIBs or snapshots at specified times, allowing devices to provide FIBs or snapshots based on a specified period, ensuring that the verification system receives consistent data for accurate network failure detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the verification system obtains FIBs from devices using conventional methods, then the verification system can collect forwarding information, but the collection process takes a relatively long time causing inconsistency with device-learned entries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having devices prepare and cache FIB snapshots in advance, so that when verification is needed, the system can retrieve pre-prepared data instantaneously rather than performing time-consuming real-time collection operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating FIB snapshots that replicate the forwarding information base state at specific moments, allowing the verification system to work with copies of the data rather than continuously accessing live data structures, thus eliminating timing inconsistencies
2Reliability
If the verification system collects FIB data in real-time, then the data reflects current network state, but the collection process is time-consuming and causes inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
Devices perform preliminary action by pre-computing and caching FIB snapshots at consistent intervals or event triggers, so that when verification occurs, the data is already prepared and consistent, eliminating the trade-off between real-time accuracy and collection speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where devices monitor network events and automatically update their FIB snapshots accordingly, ensuring that the cached data remains consistent with actual network state without requiring continuous verification system intervention
3Ease of operation
If the verification system uses conventional FIB acquisition methods, then the process is simple to implement, but the verification results become inaccurate due to timing inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates FIB snapshots that are copies of the forwarding information base at specific moments, allowing the verification system to retrieve consistent data without complex real-time synchronization mechanisms, thus maintaining implementation simplicity while improving accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
By having devices pre-prepare and cache FIB snapshots in advance, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time data collection synchronization, maintaining operational simplicity while ensuring verification accuracy through pre-computed consistent states
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a method for obtaining a FIB of a device on a network. The network includes a verification system and a plurality of devices, and a first device is one of the plurality of devices. The first device receives a request message sent by the verification system, where the request message carries a command for obtaining a FIB of the first device that is generated at a specified time. The first device obtains the FIB or a FIB snapshot of the first device that is generated at the specified time. The first device adds the obtained FIB or FIB snapshot to a response message, and sends the response message to the verification system. According to the foregoing method, the verification system can accurately and efficiently obtain a FIB of a device.