System and method for modeling a system that comprises networks connected across a third party external network based on incomplete configuration data

• US 8,743,742 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2012
• Issued: 06/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Riverbed Technology, LLC (Riverbed Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Riverbed Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Singh, Pradeep K., Barathan, Venuprakash
• Primary Examiner(s): Elliott, IV, Benjamin H
• Application Number:
  US13/448,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20120201168A1
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 370/254, 370/255, 709/220, 709/221, 709/223, 709/224, 709/227, 709/228
• US Class Current: 370/255
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0853 by actively collecting configuration information or by backing up configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/145 involving simulating, designing, planning or modelling of a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

The present system includes a system, method and device for inferring connectivity between network devices across a third party network. Configuration data related to the network devices is examined and configuration data about the network is inferred. The inferred configuration data may be related to a communication protocol, network bandwidth, and the like. A model representing the network is then created to indicate inferred interfaces and connections through the external network between network devices. The representation may be rendered in various forms, such as a display or data exported to another system. Various studies may also be performed using the model, such as traffic, routing, or planning studies.

Claims

1. A method of creating a computer-readable model of a network based on configuration data received from the network, wherein the network comprises at least a first device connected across at least one third party network to a second device, the method comprising:

receiving, at a processing device, configuration data from the first and second devices;

determining, by the processing device, respective interfaces for the first and second devices to the at least one third party network based on the received configuration data;

creating, by the processing device, the computer-readable model that includes representations of the respective interfaces, a routing protocol for the respective interfaces, and a representation of the at least one third party network between the first and second devices;

storing the computer-readable model in a memory device, and

outputting data for rendering a visualization of at least a portion of the model.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a response of the model to a user-specified change in one or more of the interfaces to the at least one third party network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving configuration data about the first and second devices comprises receiving a configuration data file.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining respective interfaces comprises inferring an interface to the at least one third party network based on autonomous system protocol information in the configuration data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining respective interfaces comprises inferring an interface to the at least one third party network based on border gateway protocol information in the configuration data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining respective interfaces comprises inferring an interface to the at least one third party network based on virtual routing and forwarding information in the configuration data.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining respective interfaces comprises inferring an interface to the at least one third party network based on bandwidth information in the configuration data.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining respective interfaces comprises receiving input from a user indicating an interface to the at least one third party network.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein creating the model of the at least one third party network comprises receiving input from a user via a graphical user interface.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein creating the representation of the at least one third party network comprises inferring an operating speed of the at least one third party network.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein creating the representation of the at least one third party network comprises inferring a physical layer topology of the at least one third party network.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein creating the representation of the at least one third party network comprises inferring network layer routing protocols employed in the at least one third party network.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting data for rendering the visualization of at least a portion of the model comprises outputting data for visually depicting at least a portion of the model on a display.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the respective interfaces comprises identifying an autonomous system for the at least one third party network indicated in the received configuration data.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the respective interfaces comprises identifying an external routing protocol interface indicated in the received configuration data.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the respective interfaces comprises receiving a user input via a graphical user interface.

17. A system configured to model a network based on configuration data received from the network, wherein the network comprises at least a first device connected across at least one third party network to a second device, the system comprising:

an input for receiving configuration data from the first and second devices;

a processor, configured by executable program code, for

creating a computer-implemented model, based on the received configuration data,

determining respective interfaces for the first and second devices to the at least one third party network based on the received configuration data,

creating, in the computer-implemented model, representations of the respective interfaces, a routing protocol for the respective interfaces, and a representation of the at least one third party network between the first and second devices, and

outputting data for rendering a visualization of at least a portion of the computer-implemented model.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the input is configured to receive configuration data files about first and second edge devices in the network.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the input is configured to receive network configuration data files.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the input is configured to receive routing protocol information about the first and second devices.

21. The system of claim 17, further comprising a display, coupled to the processor, for displaying the visualization of at least a portion of the computer-implemented model.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the processor is configured to provide a user interface on the display for interacting with the computer-implemented model.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to output data for rendering at least a portion of the computer-implemented model based on exporting data to another system.