While companies have made great strides to automate the deployment, provisioning and configuring of end user devices, too many enterprises rely on manual intervention for these processes when it comes to the network. Unfortunately, in their race to digitally transform, companies can no longer tolerate networks that are slow and unresponsive to the demands placed on them due to these manually driven bottlenecks.
So who out there enjoys conducting device discovery and inventory of your enterprise? Dumb question. No one does. It’s time-consuming, error-prone and an example of manual toil. These are what make it a perfect candidate for automation. The fact is that there are many labor-intensive network tasks that must be performed every day. These include device provisioning, backups and configuration management.Â
Benefits of Network Automation
Automation brings standardization as automated processes are now uniformed. The fat fingering of data input is negated, and neglectful acts of human error are eliminated, resulting in improved reliability and resiliency. Operational efficiency is greatly enhanced as mandatory tasks are completed faster while demanding far fewer costs and resources. Scalability is greatly expanded as the number of performed processes is no longer restricted to the size and proficiencies of available staff. This is especially critical for cloud-first enterprises. As manual task lists are automated, workloads are reduced, allowing personnel to focus on tasks that garner a much greater ROI and inherent profitability.
Despite all of the advantages, there is one big problem. Most networks were designed and created during a time in which automation was but a pipe dream. As a result, networks lack the foundation required to inject automation innately. Instead, automation must often be bolted on as an afterthought.
Learn More: SMBs: Understand the ‘Why’ & ‘How’ Behind Network Automation
Traditional Automation
The traditional manner in which networks were automated were through the command-line interface (CLI). While processes were automated, it required personnel to have some basic knowledge of programming languages or scripting. This approach also restricted the scope of automation to a single device which limited its scaling potential. It also compounded its complexity by creating a disparate assortment of tools that were often proprietary in nature. The route to automation was not easy, which is probably why so many failed to see it through.
Modern Network Automation
Rather than carrying a tool for every need, enterprises can use a comprehensive system that utilizes a configuration management database (CMDB). The CMDB serves as a repository of information that relates to the components found within the enterprise. It tracks the state of your network assets and their current configurations to bring all devices to their desired state. Some type of event triggers the automation process. The system then checks the appropriate policies and rules that dictate what needs to be done in reaction to that event. The system then performs a series of workflow instructions, and some delegated action is performed.Â
The road to network automation is full of twists and turns but is a lot smoother ride than it once was. Those who proceed to navigate down the congested road towards their automated destination will find a fork in the road. At this nexus, enterprise leaders must then choose between the divide of open vs. closed source. Both have their inherent advantages and disadvantages, as detailed below.
Closed Source
The term closed source denotes a prepackaged solution that is commercially available from an active vendor. Preferably this means a “best-of-breed†solution created by leading experts in the industry. You don’t have to understand how it was created; you only have to know how to use it as the vendor will provide its deployment team to implement it into your environment. You also have the peace of mind that a team of experts is always available to support it and help you out of a bind now and then. Commercially supported solutions are considered more secure as any responsible vendor will strive to release patches and updates quickly once a vulnerability is discovered. Best of all, if you have the money to buy it now, you can have it up and running quickly.
Of course, all of this comes with a steep price tag, and the sticker shock can put it out of reach for some. While there is some level of customization available, customers cannot simply add extra functionality when needed. Some vendors do offer some level of customization, but this comes at a more significant cost. It is pretty much a certainty that the package you purchase will be bundled with features you probably won’t need.Â
Some of the leading solutions providers include Cisco, Juniper and VMware. Note that all of these solutions slant towards their vendor environments. VMware’s NSX, for example, is designed to manage virtualized network deployments. Paragon Pathfinder by Juniper is a native cloud solution that automates the provisioning, management and monitoring of segment routing and IP/MPLS flows across networks. Cisco has an entire portfolio of network automation tools, each accommodating a different solution set.
Learn More: Automation Projects Could Drain Your Finances. Here’s How to Get It Right
Open Source
The biggest differentiator of an open-source solution is the initial price. Don’t be lulled into thinking that it will result in substantial savings in the long run. While the initial price tag might be substantially lower, the programmers you will need to expand and customize your open source solution don’t come cheap. The window to implement an open-source automation project can be quite substantial, and then there is the issue of support. It isn’t always easy to find experts who can help you troubleshoot issues. You may opt to contract with an open-source support provider, which of course increases the overall cost.
However, it might all be worth it because in the end, shouldn’t you get what you really want? Organizations can customize open-source solutions as per their unique requirements. This enables solutions to evolve in sync with changing environments.
Some examples of open source solutions include Ansible AWX, Salt and StackStorm. Ansible AWX is an open-source community project that is sponsored by Red Hat. Salt, also referred to as SaltStack, is a Python-based open-source solution that can manage your deployment, configuration and remediation tasks. Like Ansible AWX, StackStorm is geared towards Linux environments and is used to streamline basic IT-driven business processes.
Conclusion
As is so often in IT, there is no absolutely correct choice, only the choice that best fits your needs. In the end, it depends on the size of your budget, the knowledge base of your personnel and your current network environment. No matter which fork you take, though, the destination is one that is bound to be worth the endeavor.
Let us know if you enjoyed reading this news on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We would love to hear from you!