Inferring and querying the past state of a Software-Defined Data Center Network

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Date
2022-03-17
Authors
Sherwin, Jonathan
Sreenan, Cormac J.
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Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Published Version
10.1109/SDS54264.2021.9731853
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Abstract
Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is used widely in Data Center Networks (DCNs) to facilitate the automated configuration of network devices required to provide cloud services and a multi-tenant environment. The resulting rate of change presents a challenge to a DCN operator who needs to be able to answer questions about the past state of the network. We describe our work in addressing this need, and how an ontological approach was taken to build a topological and temporal model of a DCN, which could then be populated using control-plane data captured in a message log. Sophisticated queries applied against the populated model allow the DCN operator to gain insight into the effects of historical automated configuration changes. We have tested our model for accuracy against a network from which a message log was captured, and we have demonstrated how queries have been formulated to retrieve useful information for the DCN operator.
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Keywords
Software-Defined Networking , Data Center Networks , Network management , Ontologies , OpenFlow
Citation
Sherwin, J. and Sreenan, C. J. (2021) 'Inferring and querying the past state of a Software-Defined Data Center Network', 2021 Eighth International Conference on Software Defined Systems (SDS), Gandia, Spain, 6-9 December, pp. 1-8. doi: 10.1109/SDS54264.2021.9731853
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https://hdl.handle.net/10468/12963
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Computer Science - Conference Items
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