Introduction
Based on the 600+ takeaways mined from the recent Autocon 1 conference, here is one potential step-by-step guide to a network automation journey. There will be debate about some of this, for example some will say forgo the strategy and executive by-in, get started, and ask for forgiveness later. Prove the value first. Some might also say start with AI today. These are all worthy conversations to have, and I will for sure entertain some of these ideas in future blogs.
Preparation and planning
- Define clear automation strategy and goals.
- Identify impactful use cases that deliver business value.
- Secure management buy-in by articulating the value of automation.
- Allocate budget and resources for automation initiatives
Build foundation
- Start with device inventory management (e.g., using NetBox).
- Establish programmatic access to devices (e.g., using Netmiko)
- Implement version control for configurations and scripts.
- Create a trusted source of truth for network data
Skill development
- Upskill network engineers in basic programming (start with Python)
- Introduce agile practices and DevOps principles
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
- Encourage participation in network automation communities and forums
Start small
- Begin with automating simple, repetitive tasks
- Use configuration templates (e.g., Jinja) for consistency.
- Implement basic workflow automation (e.g., device queries, config checks).
- Focus on quick wins to demonstrate value
Expand scope
- Develop modular, reusable automation components
- Implement more advanced workflows and orchestration.
- Integrate with existing systems (monitoring, ticketing, etc.).
- Start automating more complex tasks (e.g., network provisioning)
Implement testing and quality assurance
- Develop a comprehensive testing strategy (unit, integration, system).
- Use tools like pytest for writing and parameterizing tests
- Implement pre-deployment and post-deployment testing.
- Create virtual lab environments for safe testing
Standardization and best practices
- Develop coding standards and best practices
- Implement peer review processes for automation code.
- Create documentation for all automation processes.
- Standardize APIs and data models across the network
Scale and optimize
- Implement CI/CD pipelines for automation code
- Develop a centralized automation platform or framework
- Optimize resource allocation and utilization.
- Implement network reconciliation and auto-checks
Advanced automation
- Explore AI and machine learning for network operations
- Implement intent-based networking principles
- Develop self-healing network capabilities.
- Integrate network automation with broader IT automation efforts
Continuous improvement
- Regularly review and update automation strategies.
- Gather feedback from users and stakeholders.
- Stay updated on new tools and technologies.
- Contribute to open-source projects and share knowledge with the community
What works for you
- Remember to adapt this plan based on your company's specific needs, existing infrastructure, and resources.
- Start small, focus on delivering value, and gradually expand your automation efforts as you gain experience and maturity.
