Network Assurance System for Layer 3 Subnet Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex computer networks face challenges in accurate and efficient problem discovery due to their large and intricate nature, leading to difficulties in identifying configuration errors and ensuring proper network behavior.
Innovation Solution
The system and method for network assurance involve creating and comparing logical models across different formats to validate network configurations, generating events based on inconsistencies, and performing checks at various layers (Layer 1, 2, and 3) to ensure proper deployment and operation, using a platform that models network behavior without monitoring traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network configuration flexibility and control options are increased to meet diverse user needs, then network adaptability improves, but network complexity increases making configuration more error-prone and troubleshooting more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between network operators and the complex network configuration. This intermediary automatically validates configurations, checks for errors, and ensures consistency across network policies, thereby maintaining high adaptability while reducing the complexity burden on operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors network configurations, validates them against defined policies, and provides immediate feedback on configuration errors or inconsistencies. This feedback loop enables operators to correct issues before deployment, maintaining adaptability while reducing operational complexity.
2Device complexity
If manual network configuration and validation processes are used, then device complexity remains low, but time consumption for configuration validation and error identification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing configuration validation and consistency checks automatically before network configurations are deployed. The system pre-validates policies, checks for errors, and ensures consistency across the network, thereby reducing the time required for manual validation and troubleshooting without requiring complex post-deployment intervention.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive network monitoring and validation systems are implemented to improve error detection accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and focuses validation and monitoring functions into a dedicated, specialized system rather than distributing complex monitoring capabilities across all network devices. This extraction approach improves error detection accuracy by concentrating validation resources while keeping individual device complexity low.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer-readable media for assuring tenant forwarding in a network environment. Network assurance can be determined in layer (1), layer (2) and layer (3) of the networked environment including, internal-internal (e.g., inter-fabric) forwarding and internal-external (e.g., outside the fabric) forwarding in the networked environment. The network assurance can be performed using logical configurations, software configurations and/or hardware configurations.