Network Verification Using a Unified Device-Independent Data Model
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network simulation software lacks scalability, leading to delayed updates of data models for new network devices, preventing simulation of networks with these devices until after a significant time lag, and requiring separate verification of different data attributes in various YANG models.
Innovation Solution
A network verification method using a general data modeling language to describe configuration data of multiple devices, integrating common and extensible attributes, and employing a tree structure similar to YANG, allowing for direct generation of routing forwarding entries and verification of data links, independent of specific device models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional network simulation software provides separate data models for each network device type, then device-specific configuration can be verified, but scalability deteriorates as updates for new devices are delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal data model structure that can accommodate multiple network device types and configurations through a standardized schema. This universal model allows the system to verify configurations for new device types without requiring separate update cycles for each device, thereby improving adaptability while reducing time lag.
Solution Approach 2:
The data model is segmented into hierarchical components (device-level, interface-level, protocol-level attributes) that can be independently configured and updated. This segmentation allows incremental adoption of new device types by adding only the necessary segmented components rather than requiring complete model updates, thus improving scalability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate YANG models are used for different data attributes, then comprehensive configuration coverage is achieved, but device complexity increases due to multiple verification processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate YANG models into a single integrated data model schema that encompasses all configuration attributes. This unified model allows comprehensive coverage of device configurations while simplifying the verification process to a single operation, thereby reducing the complexity of managing multiple separate verification processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated data model serves multiple functions simultaneously: it defines device configuration structures, validates configuration attributes, and enables verification across different device types. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate verification processes for different attribute types, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a network verification method and an apparatus. The method includes: A network verification system obtains configuration data of a plurality of network devices, where a data model of the configuration data is described by using a general data modeling language independent of the network devices; and the network verification system verifies data links between the plurality of network devices based on the configuration data of the plurality of network devices and a topology structure between the plurality of network devices. In the foregoing method, the network verification system verifies the data links between the plurality of network devices based on the topology structure between the plurality of network devices and the configuration data described by using the general data modeling language independent of the network devices. This helps improve scalability of the network verification system, and avoids relatively poor scalability of network simulation software that occurs when conventional network simulation software provides a template for configuration data of each type of network device.