what network automation is for and needs
Targets
| common goals | examples for large-scale network |
|---|---|
| device & link provisioning | - demand forecasting and capacity planning - high-level network design - detailed network design - ordering materials - racks, switches, cables, etc. - installing physical network (for human operators) |
| configuration changes | configuring devices and controllers |
| monitoring/probing | monitoring the state of all components of the network |
| troubleshooting | diagnosing problems |
Data must be precise and accurate
- high-level plans for connectivity (future)
- low-level details of connectivity (soon/current)
- device and controller configuration
- access control policies
- routing policies
- IP assignments
1: Experiences with Modeling Network Topologies at Multiple Levels of Abstraction, Zotero