nmrg

Summary

The Network Management Research Group (NMRG) session featured presentations on network digital twins, knowledge graphs for network management, and network systems for AI services. The session covered ongoing work, challenges, and potential future directions for research in these areas.

Key Discussion Points

Network Digital Twins:
- Challenges in designing and operating network digital twins were discussed, including scalability, accuracy, diverse user needs, and parallelism.
- A prototype static test system based on SDN was presented, demonstrating snapshot-based network modeling.
- The importance of model verification, especially for AI-based models, was highlighted.
- Debate over whether to keep the implementation example in the NDT Architecture document or move it to a new document
- Security aspects of NDTs, including potential threat vectors and the need for a holistic, system-level approach, were emphasized.
Knowledge Graphs for YANG-based Network Management:
- Knowledge graphs were proposed as a way to integrate heterogeneous data sources in network management.
- Key challenges identified included ontology development, scalability, and real-time use cases.
- Potential applications included service assurance, network digital twins, and data manifests.
Network Systems for AI Services:
- The presentation focused on the network system aspects of providing optimal AI services.
- Considerations for hardware characteristics, model characteristics, and communication methods were discussed.
- Use cases included self-driving cars and integration with network digital twins.
- Debate over whether the scope of the document should remain the same.
General Items
- The group was urged to provide feedback on the ongoing surveys being conducted in the mailing lists, and specifically related to 'green networking'
- The Applied Network Research Workshop (ANRW) that would take place tomorrow was announced
- Participants were reminded of the IETF's intellectual property rights disclosure rules, privacy policy, and code of conduct.

Decisions and Action Items

NDT Architecture Document:
- The chairs will initiate a call for research group consensus on the future of the NDT Architecture document, including whether to split the document or not. Timeline will be in advance of the next IETF.
Action Items:
- Authors of the NDT papers to collaborate further on feedback to the work presented today.
- Participants to share experience on scalability and other issues regarding NDTs on the mailing list.
- Participants to submit reviews of the current draft of the NDT Architecture document.
- Jungen to link the AI in Network Systems draft to the main research challenges document
- Chairs to investigate feedback and interests from the groups, in particular in light of existing references in other document, and the timeline, and to come back with feedback

Next Steps

Continued discussion and feedback on the mailing lists.
Further development of prototypes for knowledge graphs and network digital twins.
Addressing the challenges identified in the presentations and discussions.
The second NMRG session this week will discuss intern-based networking, as well as discuss the research agenda.

Session Date/Time: 25 Jul 2024 20:00

nmrg

Summary

The Network Management Research Group (NMRG) meeting at IETF 120 focused on several key areas, including updates on ongoing drafts, discussions about an upcoming IAB workshop on network management operations (Nemops), and a detailed review of the NMRG's research agenda. Presentations were given on intent-based networking use cases, specifically concerning green services and interconnection, and the group discussed methodologies for building intent-driven networking systems. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to evaluating the group's research direction, the types of outcomes it produces, and potential improvements to its working methods.

Key Discussion Points

IAB Workshop on Nemops: Benoit presented information about an upcoming IAB workshop focused on the next era of network management operations (Nemops). The workshop aims to update RFC 3535 by collecting updated operator requirements for IETF network management solutions. The discussion highlighted the need for outreach to operators and documenting their needs.
Intent for Green Services: Luis presented a draft on intent for green services, allowing customers to express their design intents in terms of green service objectives. Attributes discussed included energy consumption, energy efficiency, carbon emissions, and the use of renewable energy.
Interconnection Intent: Luis provided an update on the interconnection intent draft, extending the notion of interconnection beyond simple IP traffic interchange to include resource and function trading. This draft included scenarios for the Edge-Cloud continuum and lessons learned from implementations.
IBM Use Cases: John presented an update on the use cases draft, which consolidates use cases from NMRG and other groups like OPSA WG. It summarizes practical learnings and identifies research directions for intent-driven networking.
Research Agenda Discussion: The group discussed the NMRG's research agenda, including topics like AI, digital twins, green networking, and IBM. The discussion focused on the type of outcomes the group produces (drafts vs. other forms), the approaches used, and how to increase the research focus. The group agreed that it should act less like a working group and focus more on understanding and experimentation.

Decisions and Action Items

IAB Workshop on Nemops: Participants encouraged to contribute to the workshop and engage with operator and researcher colleagues.
Green Services Intent: Solicit feedback on the draft and explore synergies with other green networking efforts.
IBM Use Cases: Refine the use cases document, incorporating practical learnings from individual cases. Consider adding an appendix with examples of intent-to-policy mapping engines.
Research Agenda: A revised research agenda will be circulated for further input, with a focus on identifying clear research questions and priorities.
Future Meeting Topics: Call for topics for IETF 121, with an emphasis on emerging areas and external participation.

Next Steps

Circulate the revised research agenda draft for further input.
Continue implementation work on intent-based networking use cases.
Plan outreach activities for the Nemops workshop.
Explore potential collaborations with academic journals and conferences to increase visibility and attract researchers.