Network Intent Provisioning via Resource Selector Criteria

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network management systems face challenges in efficiently provisioning and managing network intents across computer networks, as they require manual intervention and lack automated mechanisms for resource selection and configuration, leading to potential service degradation and inadequate service levels.

Innovation Solution

A network management system that uses resource selector criteria defined by extensible commands to automatically identify and configure resources, maintain resource status, and dynamically select replacement resources when existing ones fail to meet criteria, ensuring continuous intent assurance through automated provisioning and configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual configuration and resource selection is used in network management, then flexibility and control are maintained, but provisioning efficiency and service deployment speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprovisioning efficiencyVSAvoidmanual intervention requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The network management system enables self-service through automated resource selection and configuration. The system automatically identifies suitable network resources based on service requirements, selects appropriate resources without manual intervention, and configures them to fulfill network intents, thereby improving provisioning efficiency while maintaining system control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining resource selector criteria and maintaining a resource database with status information. When network intents are submitted, the system has already prepared the selection criteria and resource information, enabling rapid automated matching and provisioning without requiring manual configuration steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If automated resource selection is implemented, then provisioning speed improves, but system complexity and difficulty of managing resource criteria increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice deployment speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies universality by using a standardized resource selector criteria framework that can evaluate multiple different network resources (devices, interfaces, ports) against various service requirements. This universal selection mechanism handles diverse resource types and service intents through a single automated process, improving deployment speed while managing complexity through standardization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer in the form of the resource selector criteria and the translation component. This intermediary translates high-level network intents into specific resource selection criteria, automatically matching service requirements with available resources. This mediation simplifies the overall system by handling the complexity of resource evaluation internally while presenting a simple interface for intent submission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If dynamic resource monitoring is performed, then service level assurance improves, but computational overhead and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice level assuranceVSAvoidcomputational overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring resource status and comparing it against resource selector criteria. When resource conditions change or service levels are at risk, the system receives feedback and automatically triggers resource re-evaluation and replacement procedures. This feedback loop ensures service level assurance while optimizing computational overhead by only processing when necessary

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by monitoring resource status selectively based on service requirements and resource selector criteria. Rather than continuously analyzing all possible parameters, the system focuses on specific metrics relevant to each service intent, reducing computational overhead while maintaining adequate service level assurance through targeted monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Adaptability or versatility

If extensible resource selector criteria are used, then adaptability to different services improves, but configuration complexity and difficulty of management increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice model adaptabilityVSAvoidconfiguration ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making resource selector criteria configurable and adaptable to different service models. The criteria can be dynamically adjusted based on service requirements, resource types, and operational conditions. This dynamic configuration framework improves adaptability to various services while managing complexity through a structured, reusable criteria template system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the resource selection process into distinct components: resource selector criteria definition, resource status monitoring, matching logic, and configuration generation. This segmentation allows each component to be independently configured and managed, improving adaptability to different services while reducing overall configuration complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3620920B1Dynamic intent assurance and programmability in computer networks
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC
  • EP3620920B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3620920B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3620920B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In general, techniques are described for automatic intent provisioning and management in computer networks. A device comprising a processor, a memory, and an interface may perform the techniques. The processor may obtain a policy that includes high-level configuration data defining a service to be deployed within a network, the high-level configuration data including resource selector criteria that identifies one or more criteria for selecting a resource to support the service from a plurality of potential resources. The processor may also determine, based on the resource selector criteria, the resource to support the service from the plurality of potential resources, and translate the high-level configuration data to low-level configuration data specific to the determined resource. The memory may store the low-level configuration data specific to the determined resource. The interface may enable configuration, when provisioning the service, the determined resource using the low-level configuration data specific to the determined resource.