network automation

Network automation removes the manual steps needed to manage networks — such as access to routers, switches, load balancers, and firewalls to change the configuration manually before exiting. Network automation depends on the chain-bound scripts set at the command-line interface (CLI) level of the operating system (OS) or previously used software.

Why use networks?
Although technologies have developed, network management has remained very similar for decades. Networks are built, operated and maintained by hand. However, traditional, hand-crafted network configuration and renewal methods are very slow and tend to make the mistake of successfully supporting the need to quickly change the workload requirements. Performing network resources and service management allows network operations teams to adapt quickly and efficiently and effectively support modern business needs.

How does network automation work?
There are many ways to change the network, and there are many network options that can be automated. Many flexible network solutions exist between 2 extremes: command line automation and automation software.

At the most basic level, you can automate network items using standard CLI commands and arguments. For example, Linux® system administrators can use Bash operators to compile events based on previous command success (&&) or failure (||). Alternatively, users can combine the order list into text files - known as shell scripts - which can be repeated multiple times at the same time with a single action command.

Automated software products can integrate network functions into pre-installed programs that can be selected, programmed, and executed from the end of the app. For example, the Red Hat Ansible® Automation Platform can be used to create network and network permissions by packing an application interface (APIs), plug-ins, inventories, and modules in playbooks that users can browse, customize, and work on to make network configuration automated, secure, orchestration, provision, and more for service providers such as AWS, Microsoft, and Cisco.