Using synthetic packets to validate forwarding and control implementation on network systems

A method for managing a network includes obtaining network flow data corresponding to a network device in the network, determining, based on the network flow data, configuration coverage associated with forwarding control configuration of the network device, identifying, using the configuration coverage and the forwarding control configuration, non-coverage, generating a plurality of synthetic packets based on the non-coverage, transmitting the plurality of synthetic packets to the network device, obtaining a set of results associated with the plurality of synthetic packets, making a determination, based on the set of results, that the network device is not implementing at least a portion of the non-coverage correctly, and based on the determination, performing a remediation action on the network device.