Hybrid Virtual Network Simulation Using Operational Forwarding Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network simulations often fail to accurately replicate the forwarding tables of physical networks due to incomplete topology or non-standard protocol behaviors, leading to discrepancies between simulated and actual network behavior.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid approach that populates forwarding tables in virtual networks by combining simulated routing protocol behavior with operational forwarding data from physical nodes, ensuring high fidelity in network simulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional simulation methods are used to populate forwarding tables in virtual networks, then the simulation can be performed with standard protocols, but the fidelity of the simulation decreases when non-standard protocol behaviors or incomplete topology are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two approaches to populate forwarding tables: (1) simulating routing protocol behavior in the virtual network environment, and (2) importing operational forwarding data from physical network nodes. This combination allows the simulation to achieve high fidelity by using actual operational data while maintaining the ability to simulate non-standard behaviors, thereby resolving the contradiction between simulation accuracy and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that collects operational forwarding data from physical network nodes and makes it available to the virtual network environment. This intermediary layer enables the virtual network to access real-world forwarding data without requiring direct integration with physical nodes, thus improving simulation fidelity while minimizing the complexity of data collection infrastructure
2Measurement precision
If operational forwarding data is imported from physical nodes, then the simulation accuracy improves, but the complexity of data collection and integration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual network environment that serves multiple functions: it can simulate routing protocols, import and apply operational forwarding data, and maintain flexibility for various simulation scenarios. This multi-functional design improves forwarding table accuracy while avoiding the need for separate specialized systems for each function, thereby reducing overall data collection system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid approach to populating forwarding tables in a virtual network obtains forwarding data both by simulating routing protocol behavior in the virtual network to build forwarding tables, and by importing operational forwarding data from corresponding physical nodes in a physical network. The use of operational forwarding data improves the fidelity of the simulation by closely conforming forwarding behavior in the simulation to that which occurs in the physical network.