Transform network management with a network automation strategy

Command-line scripting. For years, network engineers have used command-line scripting for network management. The purpose was to make more sophisticated, independent or foolproof configurations. But those engineers still rely on copy and paste for configurations, which is highly susceptible to mistakes. Ultimately, Carney said, this approach is still manual.

Roll-your-own scripting. Formal scripting, or roll-your-own scripting, has become more popular as another network automation strategy. In a roll-your-own approach, network engineers learn a scripting language, catalog the scripts and create playbooks to follow for processes. While this strategy enables engineers to tweak configurations, it’s highly specific to each device, Carney said.

“You’re going to have to make a playbook for every device, and they’re all different,” he said. “You have to consider different functionalities, and creating all those playbooks is going to take a lot of time.”

Further, those playbooks require constant maintenance to ensure the script is still correct. This effort is still manual, even though it enables automation, he added.

Off the shelf. An approach that starts to break the insanity cycle is choosing off-the-shelf automation options, Carney said. This strategy enables engineers to work with ready-made configurations, which they can customize and change as needed. This strategy, however, has a learning curve where engineers figure out the process and gain experience, Carney said.

“The difference here from rolling your own is the knowledge network engineers gain from the first time they do this to the second time they create configurations — it’s going to be transferable,” he said. “They’ll have a better understanding of what needs to happen in the future.”

GUI. The final option Carney discussed is the use of a GUI that provides a recognizable format for automation processes, which is also beneficial for training staff. Instead of a reactive approach, the GUI becomes “more of an ongoing capability,” he said.

Vendors will change features, which drives engineers to modify their playbooks and configurations. With the GUI format, engineers can “add a simple parameter” for the modification, he said. This strategy also provides a database that acts as the source of network knowledge, further supporting the ongoing capability.

“It can be fed by your applications, and it can feed your applications. So, you have this information, and you can use it in different ways,” he said.