Network Topology Verification via Automated Emulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network emulation solutions lack the ability to automatically establish network topology, making it difficult to realize network emulation verification, especially in large-scale environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for network topology-based verification that automatically determines target network devices and extended network devices across hierarchical layers, constructs an emulated network topology, and establishes an emulation runtime environment for verification, eliminating the need for manual setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operation is used to establish network topology, then flexibility and control are maintained, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate significantly in large-scale environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically discovers network devices, retrieves their configuration information, and constructs the network topology without requiring manual input. The verification platform self-services by autonomously interacting with network devices via protocols like SNMP to gather topology data and build the emulation environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated software-based processes. Instead of manual configuration and topology building, the system uses automated scripts, APIs, and software components to discover, retrieve, and construct network topologies programmatically.
2Loss of time
If manual topology establishment is used, then accuracy can be controlled, but time consumption increases significantly for large-scale networks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically discovering network devices and retrieving their configuration information before the verification process begins. This preliminary automated topology construction eliminates the need for time-consuming manual setup during verification tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification platform continuously monitors and updates network topology information automatically, ensuring the emulation environment remains synchronized with the actual network state without requiring intermittent manual interventions that would disrupt the verification workflow.
3Productivity
If automated topology construction is implemented, then productivity improves, but device complexity and system requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The verification platform is designed as a universal system that can handle multiple verification scenarios and network types through a single unified architecture. It provides multi-functional capabilities including topology discovery, configuration retrieval, emulation environment construction, and verification execution, reducing the need for multiple specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification platform that mediates between the user's verification needs and the complex network infrastructure. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of network device interactions, providing simplified interfaces while handling the underlying complexity automatically.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a method, an apparatus, an electronic device and a storage medium for network topology-based verification. The method comprises: obtaining a network verification request which comprises device change information for a physical network; determining a target network device changed in the physical network using the device change information, and obtaining extended network devices from network devices in each of the hierarchical layers in the physical network, the extended network devices obtained in each of the hierarchical layers corresponding to different providers; constructing an emulated network topology based on the target network device and the extended network devices; and establishing an emulation runtime environment corresponding to the emulated network topology, and performing emulation verification on the emulated network topology based on the emulation runtime environment to obtain an emulation verification result.