CPC H04L 41/0806 (2013.01) [G06F 9/455 (2013.01); H04L 41/06 (2013.01); H04L 41/0893 (2013.01); H04L 41/20 (2013.01); H04L 43/50 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A device comprising:
a processing system including a processor; and
a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations comprising:
instantiating a first network element in a communication network, the communication network comprising a plurality of operational elements; and
configuring a mutable network element in the communication network to simulate a second network element in the communication network resulting in a simulated network element, wherein the mutable network element comprises a dedicated network element separate from the plurality of operational elements, wherein the mutable network element comprises a server, a router, or a combination thereof with a configurable structure, wherein the simulated network element is configured as a temporary node in the communication network,
wherein in accordance with the configuring, the mutable network element assumes an identity of the second network element to perform a test of the first network element in the communication network prior to the first network element becoming operational in the communication network, wherein the first network element is isolated from the plurality of operational elements until a configuration of the first network element is verified.
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