Abstract: Network management systems and associated methods are described for providing intent-driven management of networks. A transaction journal of intents for a network may be maintained to define intended behavior of the network. A proposed intent may be received and verified, and the transaction journal may selectively be updated to include the proposed intent based on the verification. Changes for network devices and/or services may be propagated to control the network to adhere to the intents of the journal, including the proposed intent when verified. The network may be monitored to identify and mitigate violations of the intents of the journal or other issues.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes creating a catalog of service function (“SF”) profiles, wherein each of the profiles is associated with an SF and indicates a type of the associated SF; storing the catalog of SF profiles in a memory device of a service controller associated with the DVS; creating a service profile group template (“SPGT”) that includes at least one SF profile from the catalog of SF profiles, wherein the SPGT includes a service chain definition identifying at least one service chain comprising the SF associated with the at least one SF profile to be executed in connection with a service path and at least one policy for classifying traffic to the at least one service chain; deploying a first SPG instance based on the SPGT; and deploying an additional SPG instance based on the SPGT in accordance with a scaling policy included in the SPGT.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes creating a catalog of service function (“SF”) profiles, wherein each of the profiles is associated with an SF and indicates a type of the associated SF; storing the catalog of SF profiles in a memory device of a service controller associated with the DVS; creating a service profile group template (“SPGT”) that includes at least one SF profile from the catalog of SF profiles, wherein the SPGT includes a service chain definition identifying at least one service chain comprising the SF associated with the at least one SF profile to be executed in connection with a service path and at least one policy for classifying traffic to the at least one service chain; deploying a first SPG instance based on the SPGT; and deploying an additional SPG instance based on the SPGT in accordance with a scaling policy included in the SPGT.