Network Validation Manager for Hosted Network Change Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face challenges in automating network configuration and update processes without adequate monitoring and assessment of network state information, leading to potential faults during scaling and modifications.
Innovation Solution
A network validation manager component generates and utilizes network change templates to simulate and monitor changes in hosted networks, recording state information and validating potential fault conditions, allowing for informed decision-making on change implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated tools are used to implement network configurations and updates, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but the ability to monitor and assess network health deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary simulation of network changes before actual implementation. A virtual network model is used to predict the impact of proposed changes, allowing the system to assess potential faults and validate configurations in advance, thus maintaining reliability while enabling automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy (simulation environment) of the physical network to test changes safely. This virtual replica allows automated tools to experiment with configurations without risking the actual network, while still providing monitoring and assessment capabilities through the simulation framework.
2Productivity
If network changes are implemented without simulation, then productivity is maintained, but fault conditions may go undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The system executes preliminary simulations of proposed network changes before implementing them in the physical network. This allows potential fault conditions to be detected and addressed in advance, preventing issues from arising during actual deployment while maintaining efficient change implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation system provides feedback about potential faults and impacts of network changes. This feedback mechanism allows operators to review predicted outcomes and make informed decisions about whether to proceed with changes, thereby detecting faults before they affect the actual network.
3Reliability
If network simulation is performed for every change, then network health is ensured, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs simulation only when necessary based on change type and network state. Rather than simulating every possible change unconditionally, the system applies partial simulation to critical changes and uses heuristics or simplified validation for less critical changes, reducing overall time consumption while maintaining adequate health validation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed which facilitate the management of changes to a hosted network. In one aspect, a resource optimization manager obtains an identification of one or more changes to be implemented on a hosted network. The network validation manager component simulates the implementation of the identified changes and records state information associated with the monitored simulation. The network validation manager component generates a network change template that includes the information recorded from the simulation of the change to the hosted network. In another aspect, the network validation manager component can utilize network change templates to monitor the implementation of changes to the hosted network. The network change templates can then be utilized to determine whether to proceed with implementation of the change to the hosted network or whether to revert the hosted network to a condition prior to the implementation of the identified change.