The DX NetOps Suite supports several automation features that enhance network management efficiency. Below are the key automation options available across the different tools within the suite:
Automated Discovery
Purpose: Automatically discover and onboard new devices in the network.
Functionality:
- Integrates NetOps Spectrum and NetOps PM where Spectrum acts as the inventory (Source of Truth) provider to PM inventory.
- Network Flow Analysis (NFA) and Virtual Network Assurance (VNA) contribute inventory once they are added as data sources within the NetOps Portal.
- Uses predefined rules and schedules to scan the network, identify new devices, and add them to the monitoring system without manual intervention.
Polling and Data Collection
Purpose: Regularly gather performance and status data from network devices.
Functionality:
- Configures automated polling intervals and schedules to collect SNMP, ICMP, and other relevant data from network devices.
Alerting and Notifications
Purpose: Automatically generate threshold-based alerts and notifications based on predefined thresholds and conditions.
Functionality:
- Fault management is handled by NetOps Spectrum.
- Performance management is handled by Performance Management (PM).
- Traffic analysis is handled by Network Flow Analysis (NFA).
- Modern network monitoring is handled by Virtual Network Assurance (VNA).
- Sets up automated alerts for specific events (e.g., device down, high CPU usage) and notifies the relevant personnel via email or other communication channels.
Event Correlation and Root Cause Analysis
Purpose: Automatically correlate events and identify the root cause of network issues.
Functionality:
- Utilizes advanced algorithms to analyze event data and pinpoint the underlying causes of network problems, reducing the time required for manual analysis from a Spectrum perspective.
Configuration Management
Purpose: Automate the management of device configurations using Spectrum Network Configuration Manager (NCM).
Functionality:
- Deploys automated scripts and tools to apply configuration changes, backups, and restores across multiple devices in a consistent and error-free manner.
Performance Reporting
Purpose: Generate regular performance reports automatically.
Functionality:
- Configures automated generation and distribution of performance reports, providing insights into network health and performance trends without manual report creation.
API Integration
Purpose: Enable seamless integration with other systems and tools.
Functionality:
- Uses RESTful APIs to integrate DX NetOps with other IT and network management systems, facilitating automated workflows and data exchange between platforms.
Example Use Case of Automation in DX NetOps
Scenario: A network operations team wants to ensure that any new device added to the network is automatically discovered, monitored, and reported.
Automated Discovery:
- The system is set to scan the network every 24 hours to discover any new devices.
Automated Polling:
- Once a new device is discovered, the system automatically configures polling intervals to start collecting performance data from the device.
Alerting:
- If the new device shows high CPU usage or is unreachable, the system automatically generates an alert and notifies the network operations team via email.
Performance Reporting:
- The system automatically includes the new device in weekly performance reports that are sent to network management.
