Autonomic Networking Integrated Model and Approach
charter-ietf-anima-00-10
Document | Proposed charter | Autonomic Networking Integrated Model and Approach WG (anima) Snapshot | |
---|---|---|---|
Title | Autonomic Networking Integrated Model and Approach | ||
Last updated | 2014-10-07 | ||
State | Start Chartering/Rechartering (Internal Steering Group/IAB Review) Rechartering | ||
WG | State | BOF | |
IESG | Responsible AD | Mahesh Jethanandani | |
Charter edit AD | Benoît Claise | ||
Send notices to | anima@ietf.org |
Autonomic networking refers to the self-managing characteristics (configuration, protection, healing, and optimization) of distributed network elements, adapting to unpredictable changes while hiding intrinsic complexity from operators and users. Autonomic Networking, which often involves closed-loop control, is applicable to the complete network (functions) lifecycle (e.g. installation, commissioning, operating, etc). An autonomic function works in a distributed way across various network elements, but allowing central guidance and reporting, and co-existence with non-autonomic methods of management. The general objective of this working group is to enable the progressive introduction of autonomic functions into operational networks, as well as reusable autonomic network infrastructure, in order to reduce the OpEx.
This work build on definitions and design goals, as well as a simple architecture model undertaken in the Network Management Research Group (NMRG) of the IRTF.
Elements of autonomic functions already exist today. However, all such functions today have their own discovery, node identification, negotiation, transport, messaging and security mechanisms as well as non-autonomic management interfaces.
There is no common infrastructure for distributed functions. This leads to inefficiencies. Additionally, central configuration, management and optimisation of operational device configurations is expensive, tedious, and prone to human error. A simple example is assigning address prefixes to network segments in a large and constantly changing network. Similarly, repair or bypassing of faults requires human intervention and causes significant down time.
This WG is intended to mitigate this duplication of similar mechanisms and heavy dependency on human actions, in particular by facilitating secure closed-loop interaction directly between network elements to satisfy management intent.
This motivates the introduction of a control paradigm where network processes, driven by objectives (or intent), coordinate their local decisions, autonomically translate them into local actions, and adapt them automatically according to various sources of information including external information and protocol information bases.
While a complete solution for full autonomic networking is an ambitious goal, the initial scope of this working group's effort is much more modest: the specification of a minimum set of specific reusable infrastructure components to support autonomic interactions between devices, and to specify the application of these components to one or two elementary use cases of general value. Practically, these components should be capable of providing the following services to those distributed functions:
o a common way to identify nodes
o a common security model
o a discovery mechanism
o a negotiation mechanism to enable closed-loop interaction
o a secure and logically separated communications channel
o a consistent autonomic management model
Where suitable protocols, models or methods exist, they will be preferred over creating new ones.
It is preferred that autonomic functions would co-exist with traditional methods of management and configuration, and the initial focus would be on self-configuration. Future work may include a more detailed systems architecture to support the development of autonomic service agents. The ANIMA working group will initially focus on enterprise, ISP networks and IoT. Like traditional network management, the topological scope of autonomic functions is expected to be limited by administrative boundaries.
The goals of this working group are below. The were selected to according to the analyzed technical gaps in draft-irtf-nmrg-an-gap-analysis:
o Definition of a discovery protocol for autonomic nodes
o Definition of a negotiation protocol for autonomic functions
Starting point: draft-jiang-config-negotiation-protocol
o Definition of a solution to bootstrap a trust infrastructure
Starting point: draft-pritikin-bootstrapping-keyinfrastructures
o Definition of a solution for a separated Autonomic Control Plane
Starting point: draft-behringer-autonomic-control-plane
Each proposal should have its own motivation and complete workflow as autonomic process. The design of these proposals should clearly target reusability in other use cases.
In addition, the WG will develop solutions for the following two use cases:
o A solution for distributed IPv6 prefix management within a network.
Although prefix delegation is currently supported, it relies on human
action to subdivide and assign prefixes according to local requirements,
and this process could become autonomic.
o A solution for always-on, data plane independent connectivity between network elements (i.e., stable in the case of mis-configurations), which can be used for call home, network provisioning, or simply trouble-shooting.
It is essential that these components and solutions fit together as an integrated whole. For this reason, an overview document will be developed in parallel with the individual specifications.
The initial set of work items is limited to the above list to stay focused and avoid "boiling the ocean". Additional documents concerning other autonomic infrastructure components, policy intent, use cases or autonomic service agents are strongly encouraged, as individual submissions, or as submissions to the IRTF Network Network Management Research Group. Additional work items may only be added with
approval from the responsible Area Director or by re-chartering.
Milestones
Nov 2014 - WG formation and adoption of initial drafts (see "specific goals")
- Mar IETF 92nd -
Apr 2015 - adoption of solution draft(s) (see "use cases")
Jun 2015 - WGLC for discovery and negotiation protocol
- Jul IETF 93rd -
Aug 2015 - submit discovery and negotiation protocol to IESG (standards track)
Aug 2015 - adoption of overview draft
Oct 2015 - WGLC for trust bootstrap draft
Oct 2015 - WGLC for solution draft
- Nov IETF 94th -
Dec 2015 - submit trust bootstrap draft to IESG as Proposed Standard
Dec 2015 - submit solution draft(s) to IESG as Proposed Standard
Jan 2016 - WGLC for autonomic control plane draft
Jan 2016 - WGLC for overview draft
- Mar IETF 95th -
Apr 2016 - submit autonomic control plane draft to IESG as Proposed Standard
Apr 2016 - submit overview draft to IESG as Informational RFC
Jul 2016 - recharter if needed, or close