Abstract: In general, techniques are described for providing network device modeling in preconfigured network modeling environments. A device comprising a memory and a processor may be configured to perform the techniques. The processor may interface with a network device within the preconfigured network environment to iteratively adapt pre-defined configuration objects of the network device. The processor may conduct, for each iteration of the adaptation of the pre-defined configuration objects, a simulation to collect a simulation dataset representative of an operating state of the network device. The processor may generate, based on the operational data, a model representative of the network device that predicts, responsive to configuration parameters for the network device, an operating state of the network device. The memory may store the model.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for automated network device model creation using randomized test beds. A device comprising a processor may be configured to perform the techniques. The processor may generate, based on simulation configuration files, configuration objects for performing a plurality of simulation iterations with respect to the network device operating within a test environment. Each of the simulation iterations may be configured to randomly assign parameters within the test environment. The driver may conduct, based on the configuration objects, each of the simulation iterations within the test environment to collect simulation datasets representative of operating states of the network device. The analytics module may perform machine learning with respect to each of the simulation datasets to generate a model that predicts, responsive to configuration parameters, an operating state of the network device when configured with the configuration parameters for the network device.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for providing diversity in simulation datasets during modeling. A device comprising a memory and a processor may be configured to perform the techniques. The memory may store simulation configuration files for conducting simulations of the network device within a test environment. The processor may conduct, based on the simulation configuration files, each of the simulations with respect to the network device to collect corresponding simulation datasets indicative of an operating state of the network device. The processor may determine a level of similarity between the simulation datasets, and select, responsive to a comparison of the level of similarity to a diversity threshold, a subset of the simulation datasets. The processor may generate, based on the selected subset of the simulation datasets, a model representative of the network device that predicts, responsive to configuration parameters for the network device, an operating state of the network device.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for providing diversity in simulation datasets during modeling. A device comprising a memory and a processor may be configured to perform the techniques. The memory may store simulation configuration files for conducting simulations of the network device within a test environment. The processor may conduct, based on the simulation configuration files, each of the simulations with respect to the network device to collect corresponding simulation datasets indicative of an operating state of the network device. The processor may determine a level of similarity between the simulation datasets, and select, responsive to a comparison of the level of similarity to a diversity threshold, a subset of the simulation datasets. The processor may generate, based on the selected subset of the simulation datasets, a model representative of the network device that predicts, responsive to configuration parameters for the network device, an operating state of the network device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a network node configured to be included in a set of network nodes operatively coupled to a core network node. The network node is configured to receive a first packet and a second packet from a host device operatively coupled to the network node. The network node is configured to send the first packet to the core network node via a first path of a tunnel between the network node and the core network node. The first path of the tunnel has a first cost. The network node is configured to send the second packet to the core network node via a second path of the tunnel. The second path has a second cost different than the first cost.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for providing network device modeling in preconfigured network modeling environments. A device comprising a memory and a processor may be configured to perform the techniques. The processor may interface with a network device within the preconfigured network environment to iteratively adapt pre-defined configuration objects of the network device. The processor may conduct, for each iteration of the adaptation of the pre-defined configuration objects, a simulation to collect a simulation dataset representative of an operating state of the network device. The processor may generate, based on the operational data, a model representative of the network device that predicts, responsive to configuration parameters for the network device, an operating state of the network device. The memory may store the model.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for automated network device model creation using randomized test beds. A device comprising a processor may be configured to perform the techniques. The processor may generate, based on simulation configuration files, configuration objects for performing a plurality of simulation iterations with respect to the network device operating within a test environment. Each of the simulation iterations may be configured to randomly assign parameters within the test environment. The driver may conduct, based on the configuration objects, each of the simulation iterations within the test environment to collect simulation datasets representative of operating states of the network device. The analytics module may perform machine learning with respect to each of the simulation datasets to generate a model that predicts, responsive to configuration parameters, an operating state of the network device when configured with the configuration parameters for the network device.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for providing diversity in simulation datasets during modeling. A device comprising a memory and a processor may be configured to perform the techniques. The memory may store simulation configuration files for conducting simulations of the network device within a test environment. The processor may conduct, based on the simulation configuration files, each of the simulations with respect to the network device to collect corresponding simulation datasets indicative of an operating state of the network device. The processor may determine a level of similarity between the simulation datasets, and select, responsive to a comparison of the level of similarity to a diversity threshold, a subset of the simulation datasets. The processor may generate, based on the selected subset of the simulation datasets, a model representative of the network device that predicts, responsive to configuration parameters for the network device, an operating state of the network device.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for providing diversity in simulation datasets during modeling. A device comprising a memory and a processor may be configured to perform the techniques. The memory may store simulation configuration files for conducting simulations of the network device within a test environment. The processor may conduct, based on the simulation configuration files, each of the simulations with respect to the network device to collect corresponding simulation datasets indicative of an operating state of the network device. The processor may determine a level of similarity between the simulation datasets, and select, responsive to a comparison of the level of similarity to a diversity threshold, a subset of the simulation datasets. The processor may generate, based on the selected subset of the simulation datasets, a model representative of the network device that predicts, responsive to configuration parameters for the network device, an operating state of the network device.

Abstract: One example method includes receiving, by a central analytics system, a query for traffic flow data associated with a geographically distributed network of network devices, outputting, by the central analytics system, the query to a plurality of analytics pods, wherein each of the plurality of analytics pods is coupled to a storage unit of a network device within the geographically distributed network, and, responsive to outputting the query, receiving, by the central analytics system and from the plurality of analytics pods, results of the query, wherein the results include at least the traffic flow data from the plurality of analytics pods based on the query.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a network node configured to be included in a set of network nodes operatively coupled to a core network node. The network node is configured to receive a first packet and a second packet from a host device operatively coupled to the network node. The network node is configured to send the first packet to the core network node via a first path of a tunnel between the network node and the core network node. The first path of the tunnel has a first cost. The network node is configured to send the second packet to the core network node via a second path of the tunnel. The second path has a second cost different than the first cost.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a network node operatively coupled within a network. The network node is configured to send a first authentication message upon boot up, and receive, in response to the first authentication message, a second authentication message configured to be used to authenticate the network node. The network node is configured to send a first discovery message, and receive, based on the first discovery message, a second discovery message configured to be used by the network node to identify an address of the network node and an address of a core network node within the network. The network node is configured to set up a control-plane tunnel to the core network node based on the address of the network node and the address for the core network node and receive configuration information from the core network node through the control-plane tunnel.

Abstract: Subscriber management and network service integration for an access network is described in which a centralized controller provides seamless end-to-end service from a network to access nodes. For example, a method includes dynamically establishing a control channel between the centralized controller and an access node, and establishing a transport label switched path (LSP) transport network packets between the access node and the network node. The access node sends, via the control channel, an endpoint indication message that indicates that an endpoint that has joined the network at the access node. The access node receives a pseudo wire request message via the control channel to install forwarding state for creating a pseudo wire for providing one or more network services to the endpoint. The access node receives a direct switch message via the control channel to configure the access node to map traffic received from the endpoint to the pseudo wire.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a core network node and a control module within an enterprise network architecture. The core network node is configured to be operatively coupled to a set of wired network nodes and a set of wireless network nodes. The core network node is configured to receive a first tunneled packet associated with a first session from a wired network node from the set of wired network nodes. The core network node is configured to also receive a second tunneled packet associated with a second session from a wireless network node from the set of wireless network nodes through intervening wired network nodes from the set of wired network nodes. The control module is operatively coupled to the core network node. The control module is configured to manage the first session and the second session.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a network node operatively coupled within a network. The network node is configured to send a first authentication message upon boot up, and receive, in response to the first authentication message, a second authentication message configured to be used to authenticate the network node. The network node is configured to send a first discovery message, and receive, based on the first discovery message, a second discovery message configured to be used by the network node to identify an address of the network node and an address of a core network node within the network. The network node is configured to set up a control-plane tunnel to the core network node based on the address of the network node and the address for the core network node and receive configuration information from the core network node through the control-plane tunnel.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a network node operatively coupled within a network. The network node is configured to send a first authentication message upon boot up, and receive, in response to the first authentication message, a second authentication message configured to be used to authenticate the network node. The network node is configured to send a first discovery message, and receive, based on the first discovery message, a second discovery message configured to be used by the network node to identify an address of the network node and an address of a core network node within the network. The network node is configured to set up a control-plane tunnel to the core network node based on the address of the network node and the address for the core network node and receive configuration information from the core network node through the control-plane tunnel.

Abstract: A mesh network of wired and/or wireless nodes is described in which a centralized controller provides seamless end-to-end service from the edge of the mesh network to mesh nodes located proximate to subscriber devices. The controller operates to provide a central configuration point for configuring forwarding planes of the mesh nodes of the mesh network, so as to set up transport data channels to transport traffic from the edge nodes via the mesh nodes to the subscriber devices.

Abstract: One example method includes receiving, by a central analytics system, a query for traffic flow data associated with a geographically distributed network of network devices, outputting, by the central analytics system, the query to a plurality of analytics pods, wherein each of the plurality of analytics pods is coupled to a storage unit of a network device within the geographically distributed network, and, responsive to outputting the query, receiving, by the central analytics system and from the plurality of analytics pods, results of the query, wherein the results include at least the traffic flow data from the plurality of analytics pods based on the query.

Abstract: Dynamic control channel establishment for an access network is described in which a centralized controller provides seamless end-to-end service from a core-facing edge of a network to access nodes. For example, a method includes receiving, by the centralized controller, a discover message originating from a network node, which includes an intermediate node list that specifies a plurality of network nodes the discover message traversed from the network node to an edge node, determining, based on the plurality of nodes specified by the discover message, a path from the edge node to the network node, allocating each of a plurality of Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) labels to a respective outgoing interface of each of the plurality of network nodes, and outputting one or more control messages for configuring the network node, wherein the control messages are encapsulated within a label stack comprising the allocated plurality of labels.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a core network node and a control module within an enterprise network architecture. The core network node is configured to be operatively coupled to a set of wired network nodes and a set of wireless network nodes. The core network node is configured to receive a first tunneled packet associated with a first session from a wired network node from the set of wired network nodes. The core network node is configured to also receive a second tunneled packet associated with a second session from a wireless network node from the set of wireless network nodes through intervening wired network nodes from the set of wired network nodes. The control module is operatively coupled to the core network node. The control module is configured to manage the first session and the second session.