Network Change Simulation for VPC Configuration Impact Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and scale of virtual private clouds (VPCs) require significant network configuration, and existing methods lack effective tools for simulating the impact of network parameter changes, leading to potential disruptions and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A network change simulator that builds a simulation model by incorporating proposed parameter changes into a production network model, simulates workflows, and analyzes impacts on network reachability, firewall rules, user intent, security compliance, and resource utilization, generating a report for user decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network configuration changes are implemented directly in the production VPC, then network functionality and adaptability are improved, but the risk of network disruptions and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a simulation environment that models the production VPC network before changes are implemented. The simulation allows configuration changes to be tested and validated in advance, identifying potential issues before they affect the actual production network, thus maintaining reliability while enabling adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the production network environment as a simulation model. This virtual copy replicates the network topology, resources, and configurations, allowing safe testing of changes without impacting the real production system, thereby resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stability.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive network simulation and analysis tools are implemented, then change impact assessment capability is improved, but system complexity and computational resources worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary simulation layer that acts as a mediator between the production network and the analysis tools. This simulation environment captures essential network characteristics and behaviors, providing sufficient measurement precision for impact assessment while abstracting away unnecessary complexity of the full production system.
3Measurement precision
If detailed network flow simulation is performed, then impact analysis precision is improved, but computational time and processing resources worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by simulating only the critical network flows and paths that are most likely to be affected by the proposed configuration changes. Rather than simulating every possible network flow, the system focuses computational resources on the most relevant scenarios, achieving sufficient precision while reducing processing time.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (100) for simulating network configurations includes data processing hardware (204) and memory hardware (206) in communication with the data processing hardware (204). The memory hardware (206) stores instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware (204) cause the data processing hardware (204) to perform operations. The operations include receiving one or more parameter changes (84) for a production network model (354) of a network (200). The operations also include generating a simulation network model (356) including the one or more parameter changes (84). Another operation includes analyzing a simulated network flow (362) within the simulation network model (356). The operations also include generating a report (332). The operations may also include simulating the production workflow of the production network log (322) within the simulation network model (356) to generate a simulated network log (366).