Topology Compiler for Network Management Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of managing network devices increases as the number of roles assigned to them grows, leading to potential errors in configuring network topologies, which can result in incorrect implementation of intents by administrators, affecting the reliability and efficiency of network fabric setup.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network management system with multiple topology compilers, each associated with a specific topology, allowing the system to automatically assign roles and generate device-level configuration information, reducing administrative interaction and improving reliability by auto-generating necessary configuration information based on chosen topologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If administrators manually assign roles and configure network devices, then flexibility and control are improved, but complexity and potential for errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the controller automatically discovers network devices, determines their roles based on topology, and generates configuration information without requiring manual administrator intervention for each device. The automated role assignment and configuration generation reduce complexity while maintaining administrative control through high-level intent specification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary controller that acts as a mediator between administrators and network devices. The controller translates high-level administrator intents into specific device configurations, automatically handling role assignment and configuration generation. This intermediary layer simplifies the interaction model while reducing errors associated with manual configuration.
2Manufacturing precision
If administrators manually configure each network device, then configuration accuracy may be improved, but time consumption and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically discovering network devices and pre-determining their roles based on topology analysis before configuration is needed. The controller proactively generates configuration information in advance, reducing the time required to implement network intents while maintaining accuracy through automated validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses template-based configuration generation where standardized configuration patterns are copied and adapted for different device roles and topologies. This copying approach ensures consistency and accuracy across multiple devices while significantly reducing the time required compared to manual configuration of each device individually.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system supports multiple topologies with a unified framework, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the topology support into distinct, modular topology compilers, each dedicated to a specific topology type (e.g., spine-leaf, 3-stage Clos, 5-stage Clos). This segmentation allows the system to support multiple topologies through independent, specialized components rather than a single complex unified framework, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements a universal interface and standardized role assignment mechanism that works across all topology types. This universal layer handles common operations consistently, while topology-specific compilers handle the variations. The combination of universality at the interface level and specialization at the implementation level enables multi-topology support without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An example controller device that manages a plurality of network devices includes one or more processing units implemented in circuitry and configured to receive, via an application programming interface (API) framework, an indication of an intent. The intent includes data indicating an update to a data structure including a plurality of nodes representing the plurality of network devices and a plurality of edges connecting the plurality of nodes. The one or more processing units are further configured to process the intent to select a topology compiler from a plurality of topology compilers and invoke, via the API framework, the selected topology compiler using a role of a network device of the plurality of network devices and an indication of the network device as input to generate abstract configuration information. The one or more processing units are further configured to configure the network device based on the abstract configuration information.