High Fidelity Network Emulation via Virtualized Sandboxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network emulators fail to accurately mimic large, complex networking environments, particularly in the control plane, and cannot account for bugs in routing software or subtle interoperability issues between vendors, leading to unforeseen disruptions and human errors in large-scale networks.
Innovation Solution
A high-fidelity network emulator that runs real network device firmwares in virtualized sandboxes, interconnected with virtual links to mimic the production network topology, allowing for planned changes and failure scenario validation using the same tools and workflows as production networks, with features like on-demand scalability and transparent emulation of external networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If network emulators use simplified models to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and reliability of emulation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of production network devices that replicate their exact behavior, configuration, and software bugs. These virtual devices are instantiated as software entities that mirror the production infrastructure, allowing high-fidelity emulation without physical hardware complexity. The copying principle enables the emulator to achieve manufacturing precision by replicating the exact digital twin of the network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical hardware-based network devices with software-based virtual devices. Instead of using actual network equipment for testing, the system substitutes mechanical/physical systems with software implementations that run on general-purpose computing infrastructure. This substitution maintains emulation fidelity while reducing the complexity and cost of the emulation platform.
2Reliability
If network emulators replicate full production topology to improve reliability, then emulation fidelity increases, but resource consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network emulation into modular virtual devices that can be independently instantiated, configured, and managed. Each virtual network device operates as an independent software entity that can be scaled and distributed across multiple physical hosts. This segmentation allows the system to replicate large network topologies by distributing virtual devices across clusters of computers, reducing the resource burden on any single system while maintaining overall emulation fidelity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal virtualization platform that can emulate multiple types of network devices and protocols through software. The same infrastructure can dynamically instantiate different virtual device types (routers, switches, firewalls, etc.) based on emulation needs. This multi-functionality allows a single resource pool to serve diverse emulation scenarios, improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining the ability to replicate complex production networks.
3Ease of operation
If network emulators use static configurations to simplify operation, then ease of operation improves, but adaptability to dynamic network changes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration capabilities where virtual network devices can be modified, updated, and reconfigured during runtime without requiring system shutdown or complex manual intervention. The emulation platform supports dynamic topology changes, configuration updates, and software version transitions that mirror real network operations. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to changing network conditions and test scenarios while maintaining ease of operation through automated management interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the emulated network state and automatically adjust configurations based on observed behavior and performance metrics. The system can detect anomalies, validate configuration changes, and provide feedback to operators about the impact of modifications. This feedback loop enhances adaptability by enabling the emulation to respond dynamically to network events while simplifying operation through automated validation and guidance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-executable instructions for emulating a network are disclosed. A network topology and an indication of devices to emulate are received. A safe static boundary within the network that comprises each device in the indication of devices to emulate is determined. The safe static boundary is based upon the network topology. For each device to emulate, a unified container and a device container are instantiated. An emulated device is based on the unified container and the device container. Data links between the emulated devices are created based upon the network topology. An emulated network is created using the emulated devices.