A Domain Level Data Model for Automated Network Configuration

Emerging research activities and technologies such as NETCONF have been closing gaps in the realization of automated network management however they focus on individual network devices rather than the network domain as a whole. A robust model that maps a network domains aggregate properties to device-specific NETCONF entities would allow a service provider to abstract a networks design from the configuration of its devices. Furthermore, it would extend the automation capability of a network management system by enabling configuration operations in terms of high-level concepts such as aggregate policies, best practices, network topology, and service requirements. One community that would benefit from this paradigm is a joint tactical network service provider, who must configure networks consisting of heterogeneous subscriber bases, network devices, and organizational policies at moments notice.