Network Configuration Validation Across Layers 1 to 3

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complex computer networks face challenges in accurate and efficient error detection and configuration validation due to their intricate configurations, leading to difficulties in troubleshooting and ensuring proper behavior.

Innovation Solution

The system and method for network assurance involve receiving a global logical model, converting it into a local model, and comparing it with software and hardware models to validate accuracy, generating events for inconsistencies, and storing prior configurations to identify potential flaws, thereby ensuring proper deployment and operation of network configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network configuration options are expanded to provide greater flexibility and control, then network adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A validation system acts as an intermediary between network configuration and deployment. The system receives configuration data, validates it against predefined rules and policies, and only allows deployment if validation succeeds. This mediator approach enables complex configuration options while preventing errors through automated validation, thus maintaining adaptability without proportionally increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary validation of network configuration data before deployment. By checking configuration integrity, consistency, and compliance with network policies in advance, the system prevents erroneous configurations from being deployed. This preliminary action reduces troubleshooting complexity while preserving configuration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If network configuration options are expanded to provide greater flexibility and control, then network adaptability is improved, but error proneness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The validation system provides feedback mechanisms that check configuration data against rules and policies before deployment. When configuration errors or inconsistencies are detected, the system generates validation failure notifications that provide actionable feedback to operators. This feedback loop maintains configuration flexibility while improving reliability by preventing erroneous configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by validating configuration data before it can cause problems. By checking for errors, inconsistencies, and policy violations in advance, the system prevents potential configuration failures rather than reacting to them after deployment. This approach enables flexible configuration options while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Adaptability or versatility

If network configuration complexity increases, then network adaptability is improved, but troubleshooting difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork controlVSAvoiderror detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual troubleshooting mechanisms with automated validation systems. Instead of relying on operators to manually detect and diagnose configuration errors in complex networks, the system automatically validates configuration data against predefined rules and policies. This substitution of mechanical (manual) processes with automated validation reduces troubleshooting difficulty while preserving network control flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The validation system serves as an intermediary that simplifies error detection in complex networks. By inserting this validation layer between configuration and deployment, the system automatically identifies issues before they propagate through the network. This mediator approach maintains configuration flexibility while significantly reducing the difficulty of detecting and measuring errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11595257B2Validation of cross logical groups in a network

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

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.