Network Intent Equivalence Checks for Root-Cause Event Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network configuration processes are increasingly complex and error-prone, making it difficult to identify and troubleshoot root causes of undesired network behavior, particularly in software-defined networks where there is often a lack of congruence between software-defined logical intents and hardware-rendered intents.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating events based on equivalence failures between software-defined logical and hardware models of network intents, allowing for intelligent network assurance by modeling network behavior and performing consistency checks without packet data ingestion, enabling foresight, insight, and hindsight into network health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network configuration complexity increases to provide more flexibility and control, then network customization capability is improved, but configuration error rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary equivalence checks between software-defined logical intents and hardware-rendered intents before network operations are executed. By validating the consistency of network configurations in advance and generating events for detected failures, the system prevents configuration errors from propagating, thus maintaining reliability while allowing complex customized configurations.
2Ease of operation
If network configuration complexity increases, then network control flexibility is improved, but troubleshooting difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring the equivalence between software-defined logical intents and hardware-rendered intents. When inconsistencies are detected, the system generates events that provide immediate feedback about configuration failures, enabling operators to quickly identify and resolve issues without manually troubleshooting complex network configurations.
3Reliability
If equivalence checking is performed between software-defined logical intents and hardware-rendered intents, then network assurance is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The equivalence checking is performed as a preliminary action during network configuration deployment, before traffic is routed or services are activated. By conducting the validation in advance and generating events for any failures, the system ensures network assurance without causing time loss during critical network operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for receiving an indication of an equivalence failure, the equivalence failure corresponding to one or more models of network intents. The indication of the equivalence failure is analyzed and one or more constituent intents that caused the equivalence failure are identified, wherein the one or more constituent intents are associated with a model of the one or more models of network intents. The granularity of the equivalence failure and the identified one or more constituent intents is determined, and an event for external consumption is generated, the event based at least in part on the equivalence failure, the granularity of the equivalence failure, and the identified one or more constituent intents.