Predictive analysis in a software defined network

Abstract

An approach for a software defined networking manager to perform a predictive analysis of proposed modifications to a software defined network (SDN) is presented. A method comprises receiving entity logical associations that are captured in a set of rules implemented in a SDN. Once a proposed modification to the entity logical associations is received, without implementing the proposed modification and without modifying the set of rules, impacted entity associations, from the entity logical associations, are identified. Upon receiving input indicating that the proposed modification is to be accepted, an updated set of rules for the SDN is generated by updating the set of rules based on the proposed modification, and the updated set of rules is implemented in the SDN.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for a software defined networking manager to perform a predictive analysis of proposed modifications to a software defined network, the method comprising:
 receiving a plurality of entity logical associations that are captured in a set of rules implemented in a software defined network (SDN);   receiving a proposed modification to the plurality of entity logical associations for the SDN;   without implementing the proposed modification and without modifying the set of rules, identifying one or more impacted entity associations, from the plurality of entity logical associations, that would have been impacted if the proposed modification was implemented in the SDN;   generating, and displaying on a display device, a prediction that includes information about the one or more impacted entity associations;   receiving input indicating whether to accept the proposed modification or to reject the proposed modification;   determining whether the input indicates that the proposed modification is to be accepted;   in response to determining that the input indicates that the proposed modification is to be accepted:
 generating an updated set of rules for the SDN by updating the set of rules based on, at least in part, the proposed modification; and 
 implementing the updated set of rules in the SDN.