Abstract: Systems and methods for normalization of physical interfaces having different physical attributes are provided. According to one embodiment, information regarding multiple network devices is presented to a network manager. The network devices have substantially identical function. Two physical interfaces of two network devices that are to be normalized are identified. The physical interfaces are normalized by creating a virtual interface (VI) to which both correspond. A policy applicable to the VI is received. Configuration files, in which policies or rules contained therein are expressed in terms of the VI, are created for the network devices while they are offline. Physical interface configurations for the physical interfaces are resolved during installation of the network devices by resolving references to the VI in the configuration files into the respective physical interfaces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for normalization of physical interfaces having different physical attributes are provided. According to one embodiment, information regarding multiple network devices is presented to a network manager. The network devices have one or more different physical attributes. Two physical attributes of two network devices that are to be normalized and that are among the one or more different physical attributes are identified. The physical attributes are normalized by creating a virtual attributes to which both correspond. A policy applicable to the virtual attribute is received. Configuration files, in which policies or rules contained therein are implemented in terms of the virtual attribute, are created for the network devices while they are offline. Physical attribute configurations for the physical attributes are resolved during installation of the network devices by resolving references to the virtual attribute in the configuration files into the respective physical attributes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for normalization of physical interfaces having different physical attributes are provided. According to one embodiment, information regarding multiple network devices is presented to a network manager. The network devices have substantially identical function. Two physical interfaces of two network devices that are to be normalized are identified. The physical interfaces are normalized by creating a virtual interface (VI) to which both correspond. A policy applicable to the VI is received. Configuration files, in which policies or rules contained therein are expressed in terms of the VI, are created for the network devices while they are offline. Physical interface configurations for the physical interfaces are resolved during installation of the network devices by resolving references to the VI in the configuration files into the respective physical interfaces.