As of now, industries have understood the value and benefits of innovative technology like network automation. On an enterprise level, network automation tools help in automatic configurations that too in line with industrial compliance. Further, you can streamline your business operations with the help of IT automation Which, in turn, will enhance your business efficiency.
A repository is needed to ensure the correct source of data to boost the performance, security, and functionality of network automation solutions. Such a system to know the true source of data is referred to as a Network Source of Truth(NSoT). Such a system helps in inventory management and metadata of network entities for automation of a network infrastructure. In this article, we are going to learn about Network Source of Truth(NSoT) to benefit enterprises with enhanced security and better management.
Introduction to Network Source of Truth(NSoT)
NSoT is a centralized data repository in a network infrastructure to track inventory, configuration, and management of network lines. It acts as a helping hand to network automation tools for automating tasks. Further, NSoT is ideal for containing IP addresses, VLAN & Subnet mapping, VXLAN configuration, interface configuration, network adjacencies, routing protocol parameters, etc.
The primary objective of NSoT is to act as a data repository so that you can ensure the right and authentic source of data on the network. Both open-source and commercial systems, including NetBox, NSoT, Nautobot, Ansible, Gluware, and Itential can help install NSoT in your digital infrastructure.
Significance of NSoT
In a digital infrastructure, particularly non-private networking architecture, you cannot trust every source that transmits data. Maybe the source intends to corrupt your digital world and your enterprise data. Like, you can fetch a single kind of data from multiple sources too and multiple types of data from a single source of data. Sometimes the sources are authentic and sometimes, not.
It is important to understand the significance of real sources of information when you are handling data on an enterprise level. A faulty source can harm or manipulate your enterprise data.
NSoT in earlier times
A few years back, the concept of a network source of truth was not as popular and well-defined. Since the technology and cyber threats are not as innovative as today. So, the network administrators were able to identify and rectify data paths in the presence of any anomaly.
At that time, practices like manual documentation of network configuration with the use of spreadsheets, diagrams, flow charts, etc were prevalent. And, such practices were only denoted as NSoT. Moreover, it was a burden on network administrators to check on manual documentation for updates and maintenance.
NSoT in today’s time
If we talk about today, the technology has evolved so much. Network automation tools themselves involve the use of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Plus, you can see a new emerging cyber security threat with each passing day. Therefore, the manual documentation process can fail here and your entire enterprise network infrastructure can crash.
When do you need to deploy the network source of truth(NSoT)?
At this point, we can maintain a centralized and up-to-date data repository using advanced tools and techniques. Now, you can automatically or manually add your enterprise data to the central database. And, take help from a network automation vendor for accessing automation tools like Ansible, Chef, or Puppet. A vendor can help you define network configurations in a standardized version-controlled format for creating an NSoT. Moreover, you can deploy, manage, and upgrade network configurations automatically with their help.
If you have an enterprise that has a complex network structure with multiple workstations and anomalies with networking configurations. In addition, if you need multiple network administrators to manage your networking infrastructures, you should deploy NSoT for smooth functions of networks.
Benefits of NSoT
Let us read the benefits of network Source of Truth(NSoT) to understand more about it:
- Helps in smooth configuration
NSoT enables smooth, error-free, and easy configuration of network devices as you know the right and single source of information about it.
- Enhancement in security
When you know the correct source of information out of many available, your network lines seem more secure against cyber threats.
- Easy error identification
NSoT can notice a single, and minute deviation in the flow of data. Therefore, you can prevent application failure by rectifying bottlenecks in the traffic routes.
- Simple troubleshooting
You can target a single point of reference for rectification purposes if any error or glitch is found in the network pathway. So, troubleshooting is made simple with NSoT because you do not need to wander here and there in search of the possibility of error.
- Quick integration
What really bothers an entrepreneur is an exceeding budget for setting up a new technology. NSoT enables easy integration of network automation tools with the existing networking infrastructure. Due to this, an enterprise doesn’t need to bear overhead costs to establish a brand-new digital infrastructure.
- Reliable networking performance is achieved
Imagine all things bright and beautiful, but your networking architecture is under-performing. All your investment of time, money, and resources goes in vain. With an NSoT, your networking performance will be high. Plus, you will get an error-free path every time you send a data packet to its destination.
Summary
Current networking requirements include proper security protocols, highly performing routes, and easy functionality. Meanwhile, an automated system to know and analyze the true source of data & information transferring throughout the infrastructure is also essential. For this, you may need a reliable network automation vendor to set things up accordingly. With a reliable and reputed IT automation vendor like Infinity Labs, your security and automation goals in your enterprise’s network architecture can be accomplished.
FAQs:
- How is NSoT helpful for organizations?
Network Source of Truth helps in easy and automated configuration, updates, and management of network infrastructure.
- When should I hire a network automation vendor to deploy NSoT for my enterprise?
If you own an enterprise with a complex network with multiple devices, workstations, services, and connections, you really need to deploy NSoT to manage your networking infrastructure well.