What is Network Automation? A Complete Guide

Network automation has now become mandatory for the current IT environment in cases related to formulating a deep IT base or scheduled maintenance tasks.

This becomes apparent as the various networks become more complex and extensive; the IT systems’ overall management and setup cannot occur manually.

The solution is attained through network automation that automates numerous network application services including configuration, provisioning, monitoring, and diagnosing.

This also helps the organization to automate Operations, enhance efficiency, minimize mistakes at the IT technologies and upgrade security regardless of the kind of network – hybrid, cloud or physical infrastructure.

They have become famous because organizations require fast, flexible, and reliable business operations.

It enables organisations to set more time and priorities to concentrate on a complex and more significant problem that concerns the design of the network architecture than to employ much time and effort in performing routine and monotonous duties.

The organizations can also experience short deployment times, easier scalability, overall visibility of the networks, and the security improvements.

Here, we will describe what network automation software is, how it works, why it is vital, and for whom it is relevant.

We will also see its advantages and also look at the some of the best network automation tools. Well, let me introduce this world of unlimited opportunities in the details then.

What is Network Automation?

Network automation means implementing different tasks and operations affecting the IT infrastructure. Some of these tasks are; change management, configuration management, discovery and inventory management, device provisioning and many more.

Typically, all these tasks have been done by hands which is cumbersome, erroneous and also very time-consuming.

Outsourcing of repetitive jobs has enabled the organizations to slow down the frequency with which manual handling is being conducted, and as a result they lessen on the number of blunders that may occur.

This makes it easier for the network administrators to work more effectively by avoiding some of the repeated tasks and, therefore, save more time for other important activities.

Network automation software is incomplete without an automation platform. It about supplies the network entity with the necessary tools and capabilities to automate network tasks and processes.

Such software platforms can usually have components like Configuration Management, Security Management, Monitoring, and Provisioning.

Network automation solutions also find utility in IT departments which are the major users of this solution. They can use it to make their network management easier and efficient through the use of automation tools that enhances productivities while at the same time offering the networks a set standard that they need to meet.

When most processes are standardized, the IT staff has more time on their hands and can direct their attention towards more pressing business concerns and tactics.

How Does Network Automation Work?

They use software and technology to operate and perform on the network tasks and processes. It refers to processes of managing Network elements, provisioning, monitoring, and especially diagnosis and rectification of faults as and when they arise.

Routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers are those network devices that play the key role of implementing the automated network solution. In this case these devices help in transferring information in a given network and join diverse parts.

Through the automation of the management of these devices, organizations will be able to maintain set standards and standards in the network management of such devices across the entire organization without the need for developing new structures as the organization expands.

The platforms offer the means and capacity for influencing the network devices and perform specific tasks. These platforms tend to use APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to interact with the network devices in order to get details concerning their settings and status.

This information makes it easier for the automation platform to make decisions and to take specific actions given provided rules and policies.

Why Network Automation Software?

Here are its advantages that turn using it into an advantageous investment for various organizations. undefined

Repetitive processes: Network operations consist of routine and recurrent activities, For example, the alteration of configurations, provisioning of devices, and surveillance. When coordinated manually, these tasks can take significant time and effort and may include chances of inaccuracy. This kind of network automation lets out can reduce the need of the manual process and the time needed to accomplish these tasks.

Change management: Overseeing changes in a network can be difficult at times especially while working with the large complex networks. Provides enhanced network change management by automating routine change: configuration, device on-boarding, and compliance to the policy. This helps to minimize on errors that may be made when making changes due to misunderstanding the details by other workers the network.

Efficiency: It makes it easy for the IT departments to solve problems in much faster and efficient manner. This means that through the adoption of such repetitive tasks, IT teams can do other developmental projects and advanced work at the same time thus enhancing productivity.

Also Read: Enhanced Change Management in Motadata: 7 Tips To Simplify Your Change Implementations

Who uses network automation?

Large Enterprises with Complicated Networks

Large network enterprises possessing a large and intricate network structure will be able to gain a lot from the network automation solution. These organization usually have a vast network topology across the various facilities and handle a lot of traffic in the network.

These enterprises are in a position to automate some of the aspects essential for a proper network management, thereby assuring scalability, coherence, and security of the networks.

It makes the procedures of making several changes and setting numerous devices a lot easier and at the same time it minimizes the possibility of mistakes and disturbances in the network.

The use of network automation software will enable the improvement of the management and efficiency of the network as well as its scalability in enterprises. By it, they can manage risings in business requirements and extend their networks in terms of sizes without affecting the quality aspects.

Cloud Services and Data Centre

Cloud providers and data centers are handling large network infrastructure and services. In order words, they want to effectively identify and share their network resources to respond to their client’s needs.

Network automation software helps the cloud providers and data centers to manage the network with necessary resources and scalability. It is used in the deployment of new resources, in network devices and in the traffic of the network.

Members of the cloud providers and data center can see about the efficient use of the resources as well as the scalability of the services, and the improved network capabilities by the automatic control and management.

This enables them to quickly adapt to their clients’ requirements, implement new services in a shorter duration and enforce homogeneity in their network structures.

IT Departments Forged of All Sizes

Small and large IT departments can benefit for the application of the network automation solution. In every business, it assists IT staffs to manage their teams effectively, save time and minimize their efforts that are needed to perform various network management actions, no matter if the enterprise is small or large.

With regard to the IT administrators, the network automation solution enables the small IT teams to handle tasks that are recurrent and may take time, for instance, device provisioning and configuration update.

It relieves them of such work and can direct their efforts towards other significant matters concerning the business.

In large organizations more so in large IT departments, the network automation software bring a single interface where the management of the networks infrastructures can be done.

What are the Benefits of Network Automation

1. Increased Efficiency and Scalability

One of the primary advantages of network automation software is boosted functionality and capacity.

It points out that through the application of automation on the different segments, tasks and processes that are contained within the computer network, the amount of time needed to implement them will be cut down, hence the efficiency of the organization will be boosted.

By adopting this concept, it reduces the amount of its reliance on manual procedures with regard to recurrent and repetitive work so leaving more time for network administrators to perform more complex and imperative measures.

This results into cutting of operating costs and an improvement of efficiency and productivity.

Furthermore, creating automation assist organizations to develop the network infrastructure on a large scale. In large Networks, the capabilities of automation can be applied for faster provisioning of New devices, configuration updates or changes in the network.

It is relatively easy to manage and maintain since it eliminates inconsistencies and discrepancies within the network.

2. Lesser Chance Of Making Mistakes and More Uniformity

This disclose is imperative in eliminating negligence and producing cohesiveness in the network concern.

The conventional methods of network management are characterized by high likelihood of error due to human interference, this results to network downtime, security breaches and non-efficient functionality of the network.

The process of managing networks in organisations can actually be enhanced by eradicating human element by impoverishing networks in order to automate the various functional tasks and processes.

Automation also guarantees the right and correct change and meetings of settings are made and maintained all through the network while adhering to the approved standard and set policies.

A great deal of consistency is required in the management of networks, especially a huge and complicated one. Automation helps organizations guarantee standard configurations, security policies and settings on the network so as to create a standardized and secure network.

3. Better and Quicker Problem Solving

It has real-time reporting of alerts keying organizations in the identification of network problems, hence allowing faster and easier troubleshooting.

Manual network troubleshooting can also take a long time and is also very complicated leading to a lot of time wasted and services down for longer periods.

It creates a capacity to conduct autonomous surveillance of its network, the tendency of its performance, and automated alarms.

This makes it possible for the network administrators to perform diagnostics and find out issues before they gain much prominence which is a good thing to do since it would reduce the time that would be taken before work and essential services are interrupted.

Furthermore, automation gives control to automate the diagnosis procedures and give network masterminds an elective option to rapidly detect troubles and apply amendments.

4. Increase in Network Visibility and Performance

It software helps the organization to have better control of the network as well as the performance of the same.

Traditional manual operations of the network lead to lack of visibility into the performance and hence offer limited information.

First, automation results in realtime network supervision where organizations contain information concerning traffic, efficiency and device status.

This makes it possible for the network administrators to be able to see various problems that affects the network such as congestion, slow performances and other alarming issues such as invasions.

IT professionals and organizations as a whole can make better decisions, as well as improve their network’s performance by having a clearer view on it.

Automation tools have integrated reporting structures, which help the network administrators to have insights, trends, and patterns that would require fixing.

5. Improved Security

These are vital in enhancing the level of security in a network. Therefore, when companies implement some of the security procedures mechanically, there is more assurance of enhancing the identification of those with access rights and discourage the unauthorized personnel from getting access to such privileged areas, thus minimizing vulnerability of the company to exposing its secrets to wrong people.

Authenticated access facilities allow the network adapter to set rigid access standards such as multi-factor access to the resources within the network. This will help to eliminate cases of insiders who could otherwise sabotage the valuable network components.

Also, most of the network automation software have the feature of access control that defines the privilege of the user such as super user, admin, etc.

This assists in eliminating access by individuals who are not supposed to access sensitive data in the network or make some changes in it.

Types of Network Automation tools

Network automation tools come in different forms, each serving a specific purpose in automating various aspects of network management. These tools can be broadly categorized into three main types:

1. Configuration Management Tools

Configuration management system is one of the critical elements of the network automation systems. They allow the administrators to have control with handling and updating of the setting of the network devices.

These tools offer such elements as version control, change controls, and the ability to back up and recover each network configuration.

Many software tools are available for configuration management, one of which is Ansible, an automation platform for networks that network engineers can use for declaring their networks as code.

Still, it worth mentioning that with Ansible, administrators can weave automation for routine tasks, configuration deployment across the devices, and the standardization of the network configuration.

2. Scripting Languages

Scripting languages are therefore very essential in the network automation software. They allow the network engineers to develop scripts that perform preprogrammed actions and activities. Python is one of the most used scripting language in network automation solutions.

The application of scripting languages like the Pythons makes work easier by cutting the time and energy needed to perform several tasks manually. It also reduces the probability of people’s mistakes and guarantees the uniformity of networks’ settings and work.

3. Network Monitoring and Analytics

Other components are the network monitoring and analysis because they are helpful for real-time with the network and its performance as well as for managing or solving problems as they appear.

These tools help to analyse the protocols of the devices in the network, traffic characteristics, and the performance indicators to give an indication of delays or abnormalities and security threats.

Through these tools, lots of information is gather and analyzed with respect to the condition of the particular network, current usage of bandwidth, and availability of the connected devices.

Read Also: 7 Best Network Monitoring Software in 2024 and Beyond

4. API and Networks and program abilities

Network API and network programmability are some of the critical aspects of using automation in a network. They allow the administrators to manage and communicate with network devices and perform several network tasks using scripts.

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) represent the means through which applications and systems in a common network can interact with network devices, thus helping the administrators in tasks such as device formation, configuration distribution or monitoring.

Programmability in the context of a network is the use of application programming interface (API) that controls and manages the different network devices making it convenient to plan complex network functionality.

Best Practices for Network Automation

When implementing network automation solution, following best practices to ensure successful deployment and operation is essential. Some key best practices include:

1. Planning and Scoping

A key requirement for doing network automation right is planning and defining the scope of the project. To be able to achieve organisational automation objectives a number of recommendations which should be followed in planning and defining the scope of a project are include:

It is assumed that the project goals, objectives and time frame for completion could be set prior to the actual beginning of the project. This guarantees that the automation drive is in contact with the general organizational goals and objectives of the entity and helps to monitor progress.

Scope definition entails determination of the areas in a network that would require automation of its management and functioning. The scope must necessarily be defined in order to better focus on the automated actions and in order not overburden the organization.

2. Choosing the Right Tools

In this context, the selection of tools is critical for the corporate networks’ correct automation and functioning. Consider the following factors:

1. Tool selection: When comparing one tool to another, consider the set functionality offered, compatibility with the current and future network infrastructure. One should determine the peculiarities of a given network and chose tools which would fulfill its needs most suitably.

2. Vendor support: Make sure that the selected instruments have trustworthy support which implies frequent update and maintenance. This is something that will require vendors’ support most especially for the troubleshooting of issues that may affect the automation platform.

3. Network tasks: Think about the particular functions regarding the computer network, which should be automated at all, and measure whether the chosen instruments can accomplish these functions. Some instruments can be more or less effective in automating some network procedures.

3. Scripting and Development

Network automation solution is majorly based on scripting and development to automate functions in Network infrastructure. Automating in this context is a process of creating scripts or programs that will perform certain tasks.

These scripts can comprise any programming languages such as Python, PowerShell, or even Ansible. While, on the other hand, development is the creation of tailor-made applications or software that perform process across the network.

This can range from creating SDN applications that work on the control plane, creating network management systems, or scripts. scripting and development can be implemented in network administration thus enabling the creation of workflows that give efficient results with lesser provisions of human errors.

4. Testing and Validation

Testing and validation are crucial components of network automation software. Before implementing any automation scripts or workflows, it is important to thoroughly test and validate them to ensure they function as intended and do not introduce any vulnerabilities or errors into the network.

This can involve testing the scripts in a controlled environment or using virtual network simulations. Validation verifies that the automated processes meet the desired outcomes and adhere to the organization’s policies and standards.

This can include conducting audits or compliance checks to ensure network automation solution processes align with industry best practices.

Choosing the Right Network Automation Tool

Choosing the right network automation tool is crucial for its successful implementation. Organizations should consider their specific requirements and enterprise needs when selecting a tool.

Some key factors to consider include the tool’s capability to automate the desired network tasks, its compatibility with existing network infrastructure and technologies, ease of use, scalability, vendor support, and cost.

Evaluating the tool’s features, functionalities, and integration capabilities ensures it aligns with the organization’s goals and objectives. Organizations should also consider the tool’s support and training offerings to ensure they can effectively implement and utilize it.

Organizations can optimize their network operations, improve efficiency, and reduce human errors by carefully selecting the right network automation tool.

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