Network Topology Testing via XML Data Files
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for representing and accessing network topology are not readily portable between network owners and service providers, leading to inefficiencies and errors in creating test-beds for resource testing, as they often require manual drawing and are not compatible with test environments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a topology-related data file in XML format, along with APIs, to create, access, and modify network topology information, facilitating the creation of a test-bed that replicates the operational environment, allowing for automated and efficient resource testing across different networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network topology is described in a specific format for each network, then the topology information can be tailored to functional capabilities and requirements, but the topology information becomes incompatible with test-beds and requires manual drawing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal topology data file format using XML that can represent network topology information in a standardized, portable manner. The XML structure defines elements for devices, interfaces, and communication links that can be universally interpreted across different networks and test-bed environments, eliminating the need for format-specific manual conversions while maintaining adaptability to various network configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary topology data file in XML format that acts as a bridge between the original network topology representation and the test-bed environment. This intermediary format enables automated extraction and replication of topology information without requiring manual drawing or format conversion, solving the incompatibility problem between specific network formats and test-bed requirements
2Reliability
If manual drawing of network topology is performed to create test-beds, then topology information can be customized for testing, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables automated copying of network topology information from the original network to the test-bed environment through XML data files. The topology data, including devices, interfaces, and communication links, can be extracted from the production network, stored in XML format, and automatically imported into the test-bed, eliminating manual drawing while ensuring accuracy through direct data replication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of drawing topology diagrams with an automated electronic data processing system. XML-based topology files can be programmatically generated, parsed, and imported into test-bed configurations using software tools, substituting manual drawing operations with automated computational processes that are both faster and more accurate
3Loss of information
If unified network topology is used to share topology information across multiple networks, then information sharing is improved, but the topology remains incompatible with test-bed environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of topology representation from network-specific formats to a universal XML-based format. By transforming the data structure, encoding, and representation parameters into XML with standardized elements for devices, interfaces, and links, the topology information becomes both shareable across networks and compatible with test-bed environments simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems have been provided for testing network topologies. A network management system converts multiple types of static and dynamic network hardware data sources into a single unified format and provides a uniform mechanism for data access. The network management system identifies attributes of the topology of a network that are required for testing. The network management system further compares the identified attributes, optional and required, with the attributes of a test network. Based on the comparison, a test-bed is created in the test network for testing the resources.