CLI/TUI for SDC

Introduction: Modern networks consist of many interconnected devices from different vendors, all of which must be configured correctly to ensure reliable communication. Today, this configuration work is often done manually, directly on the device using command line interfaces (CLIs) or using vendorspecific solutions. As illustrated in Figure 1, these approaches are time-consuming, error-prone, and make it difficult to maintain a consistent overview across heterogeneous network environments. Schema Driven Configuration (SDC) aims to improve this situation by defining the desired configuration of devices in a structured and vendor-neutral way, see Figure 2. Rather than configuring devices step by step, engineers specify the desired end state of the network in a vendor-independent way, by writing the configuration into a file.

Problem: However, in practice, working with SDC is still challenging. Configuration files are usually written by hand, require detailed background knowledge, and the relevant information is spread across multiple systems, which limits usability.

Result: This project addresses these challenges by introducing a generic Terminal User Interface (TUI) for working with SDC, shown conceptually in Figure 2. The TUI is a text-based interface that combines command-line interaction with visual structure inside a terminal, see Figure 3. The interface combines a familiar command-line style input with a visual representation of available configuration options and the current device state. By presenting this information side by side, the tool allows engineers to explore configurations, understand their impact, and define configuration intents within a single, vendorindependent interface. The TUI also supports autocompletion to reduce typing effort and common mistakes. Using this interface, engineers can generate configuration files within a single tool and apply them through SDC. The result is a minimum viable product that demonstrates how a unified TUI/CLI can simplify and standardize network configuration workflows across different vendors.