Large Language Models for Zero Touch Network Configuration Management

Abstract: The Zero-touch Network & Service Management (ZSM) paradigm, a direct response to the increasing complexity of communication networks, is a problem-solving approach. In this paper, taking advantage of recent advances in generative Artificial Intelligence, we introduce the Network ConFiguration Generator (LLM-NetCFG) that employs LLM and architects ZSM configuration agents by LLMs. LLM-NetCFG can automatically generate configurations, verify them, and configure network devices based on intents expressed in natural language. We also show the automation and verification of network configurations with minimum human intervention. Moreover, we explore the opportunities and challenges of integrating LLM in functional areas of network management to fully achieve ZSM.