1. 1 Copyright © Ciena Corporation 2015. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary Intent Abstraction Spectrum David Bainbridge February 16, 2015

2. 2 Copyright © Ciena Corporation 2015. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary High level Definition of an Intent Interface  Abstraction layer to express desired network state to a controller What to connect When to connect How to connect  But, it is all along a spectrum from abstract to precise  A single request can be both abstract and precise Precise where it is required and abstract where flexibility is allowed

3. 3 Copyright © Ciena Corporation 2015. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary Example  The man visited the park The man from California took the bus to the park on the south side John Doe walk to the corner and took the bus to Rubino Park, San Jose John Doe got dressed, walked to the corner of 1 st and Main Street, took the number 12 bus to the South Street stop, and then walked to Rubino Park, San Jose  But, the request could have started with John Doe got dressed, walked to the corner of 1 st and Main Street, and took the number 12 bus to visit the park on the south side

4. 4 Copyright © Ciena Corporation 2015. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary Keys to Intent  Grammar and Syntax Need a stable way to express intents that is adaptable from abstract to precise usage Recursive rendering from abstract to precise Decomposition from abstract to precise Variable (negotiated) values in terms of constraints Rendering influenced from “sideways” inputs  Engine not a provisioning system

5. 5 Copyright © Ciena Corporation 2015. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary Keys to Implementation  Start simple, build “ability” to add complexity Pick core capabilities to deliver in phase one (Lithium) Smaller feature set that can be delivered, better than broad promise

6. 6 Copyright © Ciena Corporation 2015. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary Intent through Pictures

7. 7 Copyright © Ciena Corporation 2015. All rights reserved. Confidential and Proprietary Thank you