| Abstract: | Embodiments of network testbed creation and validation processes are
described herein. A "network testbed" is a replicated environment used to
validate a target network or an aspect of its design. Embodiments
describe a network testbed that comprises virtual testbed nodes executed
via a plurality of physical infrastructure nodes. The virtual testbed
nodes utilize these hardware resources as a network "fabric," thereby
enabling rapid configuration and reconfiguration of the virtual testbed
nodes without requiring reconfiguration of the physical infrastructure
nodes. Thus, in contrast to prior art solutions which require a tester
manually build an emulated environment of physically connected network
devices, embodiments receive or derive a target network description and
build out a replica of this description using virtual testbed nodes
executed via the physical infrastructure nodes. This process allows for
the creation of very large (e.g., tens of thousands of network elements)
and/or very topologically complex test networks. |