Network automation has become the most progressive step an enterprise can take to innovate and update itself. Network automation technology gives a user the flexibility to work in distributed locations, regardless of location or timezone. In addition, network automation tools ensure the security of the entire networking and database architecture. Further, network automation constantly uses improvisation to enhance its features. Like, a new concept of Intent-Based Networking is introduced that utilizes techniques like Artificial Intelligence(AI) and Machine Learning(ML). In this article, we are going to learn how Intent-Based Networking (IBN) provides benefits to enterprises.
Introduction to Intent-Based Networking
Intent-Based Networking (IBN) is giving new directions to network automation features. IBN is basically an amalgamation of the concepts of machine learning and artificial intelligence to automate network configuration and management processes.
IBN is a revolutionary measure that enhances automation in network design, management, and optimization. This technique is meant to define network policies in such a way that they could benefit the purpose of your business. To date, it is the most perfect technique to handle and manage the complex networking infrastructures in enterprises that embrace digital transformation.
Key Components of Intent-Based Networking
IBN is constituted of some key components that are necessary for its formation. Let’s walk through them:
Define the intent
First, the intent or the purpose of network infrastructure for your business is to be set. It means you need to analyze performance metrics, security requirements, and regulatory norms.
Automate the network
The network needs to be automated to achieve the intent of the organization. In addition, specific network configurations and policies are to be made with the help of machine learning and AI tools. In order to make the network infrastructure more flexible, scalable, and agile, unnecessary hardware is removed from the current digital infrastructure.
Set a monitoring system for the network automation infrastructure
A real-time monitoring system needs to be developed in the digital infrastructure. Additionally, the defined intents must adhere to the compliance norms. Moreover, required orchestration tools should be deployed among multiple devices and workstations to allow seamless workflow at distinct locations.
Set a feedback system to predict deviations
A deviation from the intent can hamper the purpose of establishing an IBN on an enterprise level. So, a feedback system must be deployed to analyze whether the infrastructure is working as it was intended. Here, the IBN plays a vital role in alerting the network administrators. In addition, with the help of AI and ML tools, it can make necessary adjustments and modifications in the network infrastructure to reduce the complexities.
Benefits of Intent-Based Networking
Having studied the key components of IBN, let us move forward to learn its spectacular benefits:
Improvement in agility and scalability
IBN allows faster adaptations according to the network requirements with changes in business nature and growth. When you define intents, you do not require manual configurations, new services and applications are deployed automatically.
Enhanced efficiency in operations
IBN plays the greatest role in minimizing manual intervention. Rather than modifying the settings manually, routine maintenance operations, updates, and troubleshooting take place automatically. In this way, the operational overheads of employees can be reduced easily. Now, your tech team can focus on more productive tasks rather than investing their efforts in troubleshooting or maintenance purposes.
Regular enforcement of policy
Policy reinforcement for security and scalability is made easy with IBN. Moreover, you will see regular upgradation of your network automation infrastructure, and security protocols without any manual intervention. Therefore, the risk of human errors and cyber attacks is also reduced.
Proactive management of networks
IBN allows proactive management of networks even in the most complex and giant digital infrastructures. IBN allows streamlining critical data packets on a priority basis. The feedback mechanism of IBN ensures real-time insights into network performance. So, the network administrators can easily identify and prevent issues before they appear as bottlenecks on the network routes.
Ensures data protection
IBN is based on ML and AI advancements. Therefore, you get to know about the upcoming threats, breaches, viruses, malware, or any other kind of cyberattack even before they appear. Moreover, the security policies help the network infrastructure handle most of the errors automatically. The network administrators can thus act accordingly to rectify any security issue.
Why Intent-Based Networking is becoming so popular?
The combined features of machine learning and artificial intelligence help IBN to become the most proactive network automation tool. Such techniques ensure maximum security, optimum performance, and extremely high efficiency on an enterprise level. So, enterprises are keen to experience the bonafide features of IBN and get benefitted by them.
In addition, IBN can enhance the functionality of a multi-cloud environment. Today’s enterprises rely on a hybrid work environment and have multiple enterprises at multiple locations. Hence, a multi-cloud environment is established to simplify enterprise operations. And, IBN is the best way to enhance the performance of operations in such an environment.
Further, IBN adopts open standards. If open standards are allowed, then clashes like inoperability and vendor lock-in issues among multiple network automation vendors can be resolved easily. Moreover, IBN allows building more flexible network automation infrastructures.
Conclusion
It is a great thing that enterprises are deploying innovations to improve their operational efficiency and performance. It helps them to stay ahead of the competition. IBN is such a fantastic network automation tool. IBN is always welcomed by enterprises as it always solves their purpose or intent. And, IBN has respected the warm gesture of enterprises by providing them with high security, automated threat detection schemes, and automatic traffic routing.
FAQs:
- What does it mean by IBN?
IBN refers to Intent-Based Networking. As the name suggests, this networking tool is developed to enhance the specific operations or intent of a particular enterpise.
- How can you deploy IBN?
You must your network automation vendor about it. Or, choose a network automation vendor like Infinity Labs who provide all round information and advanced processes to you, if you require it.