SDN Node Collection and Network Modeling for Configuration Consistency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Network configuration processes are increasingly complex and error-prone, making it difficult to identify and rectify undesired network behavior, especially in software-defined networks (SDNs) like ACI, due to hardware errors, software bugs, configuration conflicts, and misconfigurations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for collecting node information from a network fabric to generate network models, performing consistency checks, and ensuring network assurance by modeling network behavior without packet data monitoring, using centralized network elements like APICs to encapsulate user intents into logical models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network configuration options are expanded to provide greater flexibility and control, then network adaptability and versatility improve, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network configuration into modular policy objects (access policies, forwarding policies, routing policies, security policies, QoS policies) that can be independently managed and applied to different network components. This segmentation allows operators to configure specific aspects of network behavior without being overwhelmed by the entire system's complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized network controller as an intermediary between network operators and the distributed network infrastructure. This controller abstracts the complexity of low-level configurations by providing high-level policy interfaces, automatically translating operator intent into detailed device-specific configurations across multiple network layers.
2Manufacturing precision
If network configuration becomes more detailed and comprehensive, then network control precision improves, but error probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements consistency checks that continuously verify configured policies against predefined rules and constraints. The system provides feedback to operators about potential conflicts, errors, or suboptimal configurations before they are deployed, allowing for correction before implementation and preventing erroneous configurations from taking effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs validation and consistency checks on network configurations before they are applied to the actual network infrastructure. By detecting and preventing errors in advance, the system avoids the need for complex troubleshooting after deployment and ensures that only valid, conflict-free configurations are implemented.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If network topology and configuration monitoring is enhanced, then problem detection capability improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a unified network model that serves multiple functions: it represents the network topology, stores configuration data, enables consistency checking, and supports troubleshooting operations. This single universal model replaces the need for separate monitoring systems, configuration databases, and troubleshooting tools, reducing overall system complexity while enhancing capabilities.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for collecting node information from a fabric and generating models based on the node information. In some examples, a system can obtain, from one or more controllers in a software-defined network (SDN), a logical model of the SDN, the logical model containing objects configured for the SDN from a hierarchical management information tree (MIT) associated with the SDN and representing configurations of the objects, the hierarchical MIT defining manageable objects and object properties for the SDN, the objects corresponding to the manageable objects. The system can obtain a topological model of a fabric associated with the SDN and, based on the topological model, poll nodes in the fabric for respective configurations at the nodes. Based on the respective configurations, the system can generate a node-specific representation of the logical model, the node-specific representation projecting the logical model on each node.