Abstract
This disclosure provides a memory-optimized model for simulating network elements (NEs) that expose YANG-based management interfaces such as Netconf and gNMI. Traditional simulators that run full device software in virtual machines or load YANG schemas consume multiple gigabytes of memory per device and cannot scale to the tens of thousands of devices needed to validate Network Management Solutions (NMS). Snapshot simulators reduce overhead but create disk I/O bottlenecks and lack flexibility.
The disclosed model represents device data using lightweight YangNode objects, which store all values as strings and avoid schema metadata entirely. This design reduces memory usage by ~99%, eliminates runtime file access, and tolerates imperfect real-world data. While this approach trades off strict typing (requiring type restoration for gNMI responses), it remains optimal for large-scale NMS testing where only character responses matter. The simulator enables creation of 100,000 or more unique interconnected devices that can respond realistically to NMS discovery, configuration, and telemetry queries. This provides a cost-effective method for validating NMS scalability and responsiveness, while full-featured device simulators or real hardware can be selectively combined for protocol-level or service-provisioning tests.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Anonymous, "Memory-Optimized Model for Simulating YANG-Based Devices Using Netconf and gNMI Interfaces", Technical Disclosure Commons, (September 22, 2025)
https://www.tdcommons.org/dpubs_series/8613