Intent-Based Networking (IBN) is a network management paradigm defined by a closed-loop system that translates high-level business intent into network configurations and continuously ensures the network state aligns with that intent. Its core characteristics are Abstraction (hiding network complexity from the operator), Automation (automating the entire network lifecycle), and Persistence (continuously monitoring and enforcing the desired state through assurance and analytics). While IBN systems frequently manage virtualized network functions and infrastructure, virtualization itself is a network architecture technology, not a fundamental characteristic of the IBN management system. An IBN can manage purely physical networks as well.

A. Abstraction: This is a core principle of IBN. It allows operators to define what they want (the intent) without needing to specify the low-level how (device-specific commands).

C. Automation: This is a key pillar of IBN. The system automates the translation of intent into policy, its deployment across the network, and any necessary remediation actions.

D. Persistence: This describes the outcome of the IBN's continuous assurance loop. The system ensures the network state persistently adheres to the declared intent, correcting any deviations automatically.

1. Afolabi, I., Taleb, T., Samdanis, K., Ksentini, A., & Flinck, H. (2018). "Intent-Based Networking: A Comprehensive Survey." IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 20(4), 3023-3057.

Reference: Section III, "IBN ARCHITECTURE" (pp. 3029-3033), details the main building blocks as Intent Translation, Mapping/Orchestration, and Assurance. The paper discusses virtualization (NFV) as a technology that IBN can manage, not as a core component of the IBN architecture itself.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/COMST.2018.2845433

2. Nokia. (2020). Nokia Network Services Platform (NSP) Intent-Based Networking for Dummies, 2nd Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Reference: Chapter 2, "Defining Intent-Based Networking" (pp. 11-13), outlines the key functions of an IBN system as translating intent, orchestrating services across domains, and optimizing the network through a closed feedback loop. These functions directly map to abstraction, automation, and persistence/assurance. Virtualization is not listed as a defining characteristic of the IBN system.

3. Clemm, A., Ciavaglia, L., Granville, L. Z., & Tsur, D. (2020). "Intent-Based Networking - Concepts and Definitions." Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Network Management Research Group (NMRG), draft-irtf-nmrg-ibn-concepts-definitions-03.

Reference: Section 3, "Key characteristics of an IBN system," lists characteristics such as "single source of truth," "abstraction," and "closed-loop operation." The closed-loop aspect ensures the persistence of the intended state. Virtualization is not identified as a key characteristic of the IBN system itself.