MINDFul.jl: A Framework for Intent-driven Multi-Domain Network coordination

TL;DR

MINDFul.jl is a Julia library designed to facilitate intent-driven multi-domain network coordination research by providing modular network modeling, simulation tools, and visualization, addressing the lack of standardized tools in this emerging area.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive Julia framework that enables architectural and algorithmic exploration of intent-based multi-domain network coordination.

Findings

Provides a modular, stateful network modeling library

Enables event-based simulations with visualization support

Accelerates research in intent-driven network coordination

Abstract

Network coordination across multiple domains is a complex task requiring seamless communication between network entities. Network operators target to minimize costs while ensuring the requirements of the user requests. Such efforts are highly challenging in decentralized environments with diverse network operators, where only partial knowledge of the complete network is available. Intent-driven multi-domain coordination offers various benefits, some inherent to Intent-Based Networking (IBN) and others stemming from the standardization of the Northbound Interface (NBI). As standardization is still missing, there has not been a substantial initiative to develop tools that leverage this paradigm. MINDFul.jl is a Julia library that fills this gap and provides the means to accelerate research in this area, both at the architectural and the algorithmic level. It provides a stateful, modular representation of common metro/core IP-optical network equipment as well as the common intent operations. Finally, it facilitates event-based simulations with a hackable interface and offers visualization support.