Intent-Based Network Management System for Configuration Automation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing and automating network configurations to align with business intents, leading to complexity, manual errors, and inefficiencies in network operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an intent-based networking (IBN) system that uses a management system to translate high-level business policies into specific network configurations, automate network management, and ensure continuous validation and enforcement of network intents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual network configuration and management methods are used, then network operators have direct control over configuration details, but this leads to increased complexity, manual errors, and inefficiencies in network operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intent-based network management system that acts as an intermediary between operators and the complex network infrastructure. Operators express high-level business intents, and the system automatically translates these into specific network configurations, thereby reducing manual complexity while maintaining control.
Solution Approach 2:
The network management system performs self-service by automatically translating operator intents into configuration actions without requiring manual intervention in complex technical details. The system autonomously handles configuration generation, validation, and deployment, reducing manual errors and improving efficiency.
2Productivity
If traditional network management approaches are used, then detailed configuration control is maintained, but this results in reduced network agility and increased operational time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-validating and preparing network configurations before actual deployment. The intent-based approach allows configurations to be validated against business requirements in advance, reducing implementation time and improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors network state and compares it against intended configurations. This closed-loop feedback enables rapid detection and correction of deviations, improving network agility and reducing the time required for operational adjustments.
3Reliability
If manual network configuration methods are used, then configuration accuracy can be verified step-by-step, but this leads to increased potential for manual errors and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-validation of configurations against business intents and technical constraints before deployment. This automated verification process eliminates manual checking errors while maintaining configuration accuracy, thereby improving reliability without compromising ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration processes with automated electronic validation and enforcement mechanisms. The system automatically verifies configurations against predefined rules and intents, eliminating human error while improving both reliability and operational ease.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Various example embodiments for supporting intent-based networking within a communication network are presented herein. Various example embodiments for supporting intent-based networking within a communication network may be configured to support a management system configured to support various network deployment scenarios, including greenfield deployment scenarios for enabling customers to deploy and activate new networks, brownfield deployment scenarios for enabling customers to apply intent-based networking to existing networks based on intelligent reconstruction of the original intent(s) of the network and configuration of the network to ensure satisfaction of the original intent(s) of the network, or the like, as well as various combinations thereof.