Intra-Priority Class Shadowing Analysis for Network Intent Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex computer networks face challenges in configuring and troubleshooting due to numerous configuration options, leading to increased complexity and error-proneness, making it difficult to identify the root cause of undesired network behavior.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of systems and methods for performing intra-priority class shadowing analysis on Reduced Ordered Binary Decision Diagrams (ROBDDs) to mitigate the effects of different intra-priority class orderings during semantic analysis, enabling reliable determination of whether constituent rules of a single priority class are shadowed by other rules within the same priority class.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If numerous configuration options are provided to network operators for tailoring the network, then flexibility and control over the network are improved, but device complexity and error-proneness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex network configuration into multiple priority classes (e.g., priority class 1, priority class 2, etc.) and further divides rules within each class. This segmentation allows operators to manage configurations in manageable chunks rather than dealing with all options simultaneously, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining full flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a priority class parameter to organize and hierarchize configuration options. By assigning different priority levels to different sets of configuration rules, the system transforms the overwhelming array of configuration options into a structured hierarchy, making it easier for operators to navigate and configure without losing flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If numerous configuration options are provided to network operators, then flexibility and control over the network are improved, but error-proneness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary ordering of rules within each priority class before execution. By pre-establishing a deterministic order (e.g., based on rule identifiers or explicit ordering parameters) for rules with equal priority, the system eliminates runtime ambiguity and potential errors that could arise from non-deterministic rule evaluation, thereby improving reliability while maintaining configuration flexibility.
3Productivity
If traditional semantic analysis is performed without considering intra-priority class ordering, then analysis speed is improved, but measurement precision of rule shadowing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rule set into priority classes and further segments analysis within each class. By focusing shadowing analysis on individual priority classes separately and using the predetermined intra-class ordering, the system achieves precise shadowing detection without requiring exhaustive cross-class analysis, thus maintaining analysis speed while improving precision.
4Ease of operation
If rule ordering within priority classes is not predetermined, then ease of configuration is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring rule shadowing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an explicit ordering parameter for rules within the same priority class. This parameter change transforms the rule evaluation process from ambiguous to deterministic, enabling precise shadowing detection. The ordering parameter can be automatically assigned (e.g., based on rule creation time or identifier) or manually configured, maintaining ease of operation while solving the detection difficulty.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for identifying intra-priority class shadowed rules. A network intent model that is based at least in part on a priority-ordered listing of rules representing network intents is received, wherein each rule comprises a Boolean function of one or more packet characteristics and a corresponding network action. Each rule is sorted into a priority class, and for each priority class, it is determined whether each of its constituent rules are intra-priority class shadowed, wherein an intra-priority class shadowed rule can be constructed from the set comprising the remaining rules of the given priority class, and a non intra-priority class shadowed rule cannot be constructed from the set comprising the remaining rules of the given priority class. An indication of the determined intra-priority class shadowed rules is transmitted, such that the number of possible intra-priority class orderings can be reduced to account only for the relative ordering of the intra-priority class shadowed rules.