Abstract: Techniques for extending network elements to inspect, extract, and complement tracing information added to L7 flows by application distributed tracing systems. The techniques may include receiving a Layer-7 (L7) message of an L7 flow associated with a distributed application and determining that the L7 message includes tracing information. In some examples, the tracing information may be mapped to a marking that is to be included in a Layer 3 (L3) or Layer-4 (L4) packet carrying the L7 message, and the L3 or L4 packet including the marking may be sent to an L3 or L4 network element. In some examples, the L3 or L4 network element may be configured to utilize the marking to determine a network decision for the L3 or L4 packet.

Abstract: An example method for facilitating network control and management using semantic reasoners in a network environment is provided and includes generating a fully populated semantics model of the network from network data according to a base network ontology of the network, mapping the fully populated semantics model to a network knowledge base, feeding contents of the network knowledge base to a semantic reasoner, and controlling and managing the network using the semantic reasoner. In specific embodiments, generating the model includes receiving the network data from the network, parsing the network data, loading the parsed network data into in-memory data structures, accessing a manifest specifying binding between a network data definition format and ontology components of the base network ontology, identifying ontology components associated with the network data based on the manifest, and populating the identified ontology components with individuals and properties from the corresponding data structures.

Abstract: An example method for facilitating multi-stage convergence and intent revocation in a network environment is provided and includes sending an intent support request for an intent to a plurality of targets in a network, receiving intent pre-commits from a portion of the plurality of targets and intent pre-aborts from a remaining portion of the plurality of targets, each intent pre-commit indicative of ability to support the intent, and each intent pre-abort indicative of inability to support the intent, determining whether the intent is to be added to the domain in view of potentially impacted intents, and instructing the plurality of targets to commit to the intent if the intent is to be added to the domain.

Abstract: An example method for facilitating network control and management using semantic reasoners in a network environment is provided and includes generating a fully populated semantics model of the network from network data according to a base network ontology of the network, mapping the fully populated semantics model to a network knowledge base, feeding contents of the network knowledge base to a semantic reasoner, and controlling and managing the network using the semantic reasoner. In specific embodiments, generating the model includes receiving the network data from the network, parsing the network data, loading the parsed network data into in-memory data structures, accessing a manifest specifying binding between a network data definition format and ontology components of the base network ontology, identifying ontology components associated with the network data based on the manifest, and populating the identified ontology components with individuals and properties from the corresponding data structures.