Understanding Nokia's Event Driven Automation (EDA)

IT professionals have discussed the automation of data center networks for nearly two decades, yet widespread adoption has been slow. The advent of AI has introduced new complexities to data centers but also offers opportunities for greater efficiency. Automation, which accelerates the provisioning and management of data center infrastructure, can be intimidating to traditional network engineers. Nokia’s Event-Driven Automation (EDA) presents a modern approach to automation, focused on triggering actions based on events, resulting in smoother and more efficient operations. EDA is based on an intuitive UI that allows operators to easily provision network functions with just a few clicks. It also provides a safeguard with a live copy, or digital twin, of the network that is always running and allows operators to test?the results of any change they want to make. If the change meets the operator’s needs, they can push that transaction into production. Let’s explore EDA in more detail and examine how it differs from other controller-based automation methods in data center networks.

What is Event-Driven Automation?

Event-Driven Automation refers to a system where actions are triggered by specific events or changes in the environment, rather than relying on scheduled tasks. This means that the automation responds dynamically to the system's current state, enhancing performance and reliability. With advancements in streaming telemetry, EDA leverages real-time data from devices and systems, enabling swift responses to issues as they arise.

Vendor Agonistic EDA

Nokia’s traditional operating system is Nokia Service Router Operating System (SR OS). Service Router Linux (SR Linux) is Nokia’s modern, extensible network operating. EDA is a Nokia Network Operating System tool that runs as a standard Linux app inside a Kubernetes cluster.?? EDA currently supports SR OS and SR Linux and will soon support SONiC. EDA can manage additional hardware and operating systems through open standards and protocols such as NETCONF/YANG, REST APIs, or gRPC.

?The Shift Back to On-Premises Infrastructure

AI is reshaping how businesses view data management. After a trend toward cloud solutions, many organizations are now returning to on-premises infrastructures. AI applications often require tailored models that handle sensitive data without exposing it to public clouds. On-premises infrastructure allows corporations to control costs, which is difficult to achieve utilizing public cloud for AI projects. This shift creates a demand for robust data centers. Compute, GPU, and network resources are now integrated into a cohesive system. EDA can automate these interconnected components for better performance while reducing human error.

Nokia's EDA incorporates several features that make it an up-and-coming platform for data center networks now and in the future.?

Declarative Abstractions: Users can define what they want the system to achieve without specifying the exact steps to get there. This simplifies the automation process and reduces complexity.?

Flexible User Interfaces: Nokia's EDA works with complex tools, including Kubernetes and also offers a clean, point-and-click UI that is form-based for those network engineers with little to no automation experience.

?State Management: EDA emphasizes the importance of understanding the current state of the infrastructure. By integrating state information into the automation process, operators can make informed decisions based on real-time data.

Independent Upgrades: EDA allows users to upgrade individual components without disrupting the entire system. This modularity enables organizations to adapt to new technologies as they emerge.

Open-Source Approach: The platform promotes transparency and flexibility, enabling users to customize and extend the automation capabilities according to their specific needs.

Nokia's Event-Driven Automation (EDA) is a forward-thinking solution that addresses the modern challenges data center operators face. By leveraging real-time data, minimizing human error, and promoting flexibility, EDA enhances the reliability and efficiency of data center operations. As organizations continue to adapt to evolving technologies and workforce dynamics, EDA stands out as a powerful tool for navigating the complexities of network management.

In the fast-evolving technology landscape, embracing forward thinking new technologies in the data center networking space. This will be an exciting company to watch moving into 2025. 诺基亚 #NokiaEDA #TechFieldDay #NFD