Explaining SDN Failures via Axiomatisations
This work introduces a concept of explanations with respect to the violation of safe behaviours within software defined networks (SDNs) expressible in NetKAT. The latter is a network programming language that is based on a well-studied mathematical structure, namely, Kleene Algebra with Tests (KAT). Amongst others, the mathematical foundation of NetKAT gave rise to a sound and complete equational theory. In our setting, a safe behaviour is characterised by a NetKAT policy which does not enable forwarding packets from ingress to an undesirable egress. Explanations for safety violations are derived in an equational fashion, based on a modification of the existing NetKAT axiomatisation.
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