Network automation technology has come a long way and transformed the future of enterprise applications into a better one. Now, no enterprise can imagine its digital infrastructure without having IT automation solutions integrated with it. However, what we see today as network automation tools is its modernized version. It started by reducing manual efforts in small enterprise application functions to automating everything else.
From defining basic script-driven tasks, networking architecture has turned into intelligent and smart networking infrastructures. Now, network complexity has increased due to the rise in distributed workstations. Plus, the demand for speed and scalability has increased rapidly. In this article, we are going to learn about the key milestones in network automation technology.
Exploring the history of networking
Before automation hit the world, network administrators were there to manage, maintain, and configure networking devices. For each of the networking devices, be it routers, switches, firewalls, etc, the task of configuration and maintenance was performed by IT teams. And, you know, it led to so many errors made by human personnel. Further, error-resolving and combatting ever-evolving cyber threats is damn difficult and time-consuming. Also, the IT team of an enterprise is constantly disengaged with core business functions.
Limitations of manual networking modes
Chances of errors
Manual configurations can produce a lot of errors. Especially, in the case of large and complex infrastructures, the chances of human errors are more in provisioning, configuration, and maintenance.
Difficulty in troubleshooting
Troubleshooting can be very difficult when it comes to combatting cyber security threats in large and complex networking infrastructures.
Lacks scalability
Manually operated networking infrastructures lack scalability. This is because it is difficult to manage and configure new networking devices manually on a large scale.
Inconsistent network connectivity
Seamless network connectivity can be a dream in manually managed networking infrastructures.
Rise of automation in networking
Phase 1: Scripting and CLI automation
During the initial phases of network automation orchestration, scripting, and CLI were automated first. It was in the early 2000s when tools like Pearl, Python, and PCL were utilized to write customized scripts to interact with networking devices. These scripts help the users customize scripts using command line interfaces(CLIs). Networking administrators facilitated these CLIs to automate repetitive tasks like software upgrades, maintenance, configuration, provisioning, etc.
Phase 2: Network Management Solution
In the mid-2000s, the complexity of networks grew at a fast pace. Just automating repetitive tasks is not sufficient. So, there comes a need to automate more functions and provide your networking staff a chance to engage with core business operations.
Therefore, Network Management Systems(NMSs) were introduced to benefit enterprises by simplifying general network management stuff like network monitoring, fault detection, and configuration processes. NMS gives a holistic view of networking infrastructure. NMS tools like SolarWinds, HP OpenView, CiscoWorks, etc enhance the automation in digital infrastructures by offering centralization features to it.
Centralized management in networking infrastructures helps network administrators by offering them a single glass pane vigilance. Functions like device discovery, alerting, network monitoring, etc are seamlessly automated with the help of NMS.
Phase 3: Software Defined Networking (SDN) & Intent Based Networking(IBN)
Post 2010, Software Defined Networking(SDN) & Intent Based Networking(IBN) came into existence. SDN allows seamless designing, operations, and management of networks by shifting the network control plane from the data plane. SDN enables centralized control over networking resources and devices. So, it becomes easy for a network administrator to manage and automate large-sized networking infrastructures.
Further, SDN architecture enables simple and standardized management of networks. SDN based networking architecture is flexible to scale as per transforming business requirements.
In addition, Intent Based Networking(IBN) allows networking administrators to specify their desires with a particular business application. IBN enables high level centralized control in a networking infrastructure. Moreover, IBN adds a self-adjustment feature to networking infrastructures. Thus, high-level business goals can be met easily with IBN. Network automation solutions lead to automated handling of complex and modern networking infrastructures.
Phase 4: Cloud computing and virtualization
Cloud computing and network function virtualization (NFV) techniques have transformed the entire networking infrastructure. These techniques have transferred the hardware enabled networking devices to software-based platforms. In addition, cloud computing-based workstations are emerging day-by-day due to evolving business functions. Here, tools like Terraform, Ansible, Puppet, etc help in prompt management of automated networking infrastructures.
Phase 5: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Network Automation
Talking about the present business requirements, it becomes essential to create a real-time network monitoring system. AI and ML tools add an intelligent feature to the network automation solutions. These smart tools happen to enhance self-optimizing, self-healing, and auto-transforming capabilities in the networking infrastructure of enterprises. AI and ML-enabled networking infrastructures can make the networking systems proactive in identifying, detecting, and preventing cybersecurity threats.
As a futuristic approach, 5G and edge computing are introduced in networking infrastructures. These innovations are reshaping networking infrastructures with agility, flexibility, scalability, and efficiency. Moreover, quantum computing is also a very advanced approach that can be blended with network automation solutions to give a new direction to networking infrastructures.
At Last
This article has reviewed the history and contemporary evolution of networking infrastructures. Network automation tools are perfect for enhancing the capabilities and functions of digital enterprise applications. We hope this article provides you with sufficient information to choose the right network automation technology for your enterprise.
FAQs:
- What are the benefits of modern network automation solutions?
Modern network automation solutions can enhance the agility, security, scalability, and efficiency of enterprise applications.
- Can modern network automation solutions enhance the efficiency of enterprise applications?
Modern enterprise applications can definitely be proactive and efficient with the integration of AI & ML-enabled network automation solutions. An intelligent and automated networking infrastructure can lessen the burden of network administrators.
- How does network security is enhanced with modern network automation solutions?
Intelligent network automation tools can identify cybersecurity threats and prevent their access to the system. Thus, the attackers can not even enter the networks, damaging them is a long way to go.