Network Device State Replay via Playback Decision Tree
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Solution Overview
Problem
In complex network deployments, identifying and correcting network flow issues is challenging due to the difficulty in pinpointing errors across multiple interconnected devices, leading to inefficiencies and resource consumption until the issue is resolved.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for replaying and debugging live network device states by capturing telemetry data and generating a playback decision tree, which allows for reproducing and debugging network flow issues, facilitating the identification of corrective actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional manual debugging methods are used in complex network deployments, then network devices can be configured to address diverse needs, but identifying and correcting network flow issues consumes excessive time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the network device state by capturing telemetry data and generating a playback decision tree that reproduces the exact network conditions when an issue occurred. This allows debugging in a replicated environment rather than requiring direct intervention in the live complex network, significantly reducing debugging time while maintaining configuration flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional manual debugging methods are used in complex network deployments, then network devices can be configured to address diverse needs, but determining corrective actions consumes excessive resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential debugging functionality by capturing only the necessary telemetry data and generating a simplified playback decision tree that isolates the network flow issue from the complex deployed network. This extraction reduces the resources required for debugging while preserving the ability to handle diverse network configurations.
3Reliability
If traditional debugging approaches are used, then network devices can operate independently, but network flow issues impair deployment functionality until identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by continuously capturing telemetry data and generating playback decision trees in advance, so when a network flow issue occurs, the debugging information is already prepared. This allows rapid reproduction and resolution of issues, minimizing the impact on deployment functionality while maintaining reliable network operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A disclosed method may include (1) collecting telemetry data that represents a state of a network device during a live operating session, (2) deriving, from the telemetry data, a set of steps for reproducing the state of the network device during the live operating session based at least in part on a set of rules, (3) generating, based at least in part on the set of steps, a playback decision tree that, upon execution, facilitates (A) reproducing the state of the network device during the live operating session and (B) debugging the state of the network device, and then (4) performing a debug operation that executes the playback decision tree via a network diagnostic tool such as a healthbot. Various other systems, methods, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.