As problems arise within an enterprise network, resolving them consistently and accurately becomes critical. The high volume of network incidents increases the pace of an organization’s Business Operations Center (BOC) processes. The traditional ones, however, are becoming outpaced by pervasive automation and the increasing reliance on NOC Services.
The Benefits of Network Automation for NOC
Automation technologies ensure round the clock maintenance of uninterrupted service, security, and network efficiency by a NOC Shift Leader. This entails:
- Supervision of network performance on a 24 hour basis.
- Substantial incident and outage detection.
- Supervision of scheduled reporting through configuration changes.
- Supervision of alert control and escalation.
The Automation Division has designed the “NIS” Automated Incident Handling System to equalize these operations. This system is created to independently perform certain process operations, overcoming delays, errors, or the need to minimize fatigue within the workforce.
Key Advantages of Network Automation in NOC Operations
1. Issue Response and Detection Time Reduced Significantly
Network health automated systems can monitor troubleshooting workflows and initiate them when set parameters are breached (e.g., thresholds exceeded).
Examples of these workflows include:
- Ticket generation upon router interface failure
- Realtime triggering of failover procedures
- Network segment isolation and containment during DDoS attack
This improves the mean time to detect (MTTD) and the mean time to respond (MTTR) in automation—a critical metrics of NOC operations.
2. Consistency in Network Troubleshooting
Manual attempts to resolve issues differ from technician to technician. Automation makes sure SOPs are followed to the letter, thus cutting down on service errors and elevating service quality.
3. Increased Technician Productivity
In Schedule Maintenance, tedious tasks such as device restarts, configuration backups, or setting up alerts for bandwidth utilization are offloaded yielding a focus on complex infrastructure planning root cause analysis, which is a value-adding procedure.
4. Advanced Performance measurement with Enhanced Data Correlation and Root Cause Analysis
Automation tools coupled with SNMP traps have syslogs, telemetry feeds and performance counters provide data correlation to pinpoint root causes faster than manually slogging through logs.
5. Taking Steps to Prevent an Issue Before It Escalates
Thanks to automation tools with embedded infrastructure of predictive analytics, NOCs can now foretell issues such as link saturation and possible device failures, allowing NOCs to take preventative measures before problems become critical.
Automated Network Control Center Functions
Automated Alert Management
Filter out noise and escalate only actionable alerts using intelligent rules and thresholds.
Configuration Management of Devices
Across large environments, standardized configuration templates are pushed to routers, switches, and firewalls automatically.
Bandwidth Monitoring and Quality of Service Monitoring
Automatically implement traffic shaping or rerouting policies upon identifying unusual traffic spikes.
Firmware and Patch Update Management
Rollback capable critical device firmware automation rollouts across scheduled timelines.
Incident Escalation and Notification
Case-based and severity-based instant alerting systems integrated with ITSM tools send alerts to relevant personnel.
Tools and Technologies Enabling Network Automation
Modern NOCs use a combination of open-source and enterprise-grade tools to enable automation. Key technologies include:
Network Automation Platforms
- Ansible – Widely used for network device configuration and playbook automation.
- Cisco DNA Center – Offers policy-based automation for Cisco environments.
- Juniper Apstra – Intent-based networking platform for multi-vendor environments.
Scripting & Orchestration
- Python, Bash, and PowerShell for custom scripting
- Terraform for infrastructure as code (IaC)
- REST APIs for integrating with devices and platforms
Event Management & SOAR Tools
- Event correlation is done with Splunk, SolarWinds, and ManageEngine.
- Incidents managed with ServiceNow, PagerDuty, and Opsgenie.
- Incidents that are of a security nature are managed on a SOAR platform (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response).
Integrating Automation into Your NOC: Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Audit Current NOC Operations
Look into which tasks are repeatative, try to identify recurring problems, and processes that take longer than expected. Remember to select well-documented and rule-based procedures first.
Step 2: Define Automation Use Cases
Scoped use cases may start with:
- Auto-remediation for a failed BGP session
- Alerting and rebooting a flapping switch port
- Routine nightly device config backups
Considerable and verifiable outcomes should accompany each use.
Triggers, actions, and success metrics of the outcomes should be included.
There should be criteria for evaluating whether expected results were obtained.
Step 3: Build and Test Automation Workflows
Research has to be carried out before scripts and workflows are tested for execution on the validated heuristic. Check:
- Perform actions required accurately
- Handle unexpected failures
- Check the logging and alerting systems
Set automated alerts to trigger during specific events.
Step 4: Implement Role Based Access and Controls
Automation tools are to be governed by the principle of least privilege permissions, auditable, and must be within audit logic. Bad automation can result from ill-defined controls, an area wherein set boundaries are breached without invitation and wherein freedom is granted without limitation on some seemingly trivial constraints.
Step 5: Monitor Impact Gradually while Deploying
Automate in steps. Analyze the changes in the following:
- MTTR
- The number of manual tickets
- Network uptime
- SLA adherence
Continue improving based on feedback and analytics.
Challenges to Be Aware Of
Network automation might bring faster processes, but these challenges may arise:
Skill Shortages
Your staff might need reskilling in scripting, APIs, and other new platforms.
Outdated Technology
Older equipment might not be able to be automated using new age protocols like REST or NETCONF.
Reluctance towards New Age Techniques
Operations will likely be the first ones to feel that highly sensitive tasks should not be automated. Begin with tasks that won’t risk productivity to gain trust.
Mistake Repetition
A single bad script can lead to hundreds of devices being misconfigured without proper checks.
Tips for Making it Work
- Be sure to capture and document all workflows
- Create audit trails specific to automated acts of governance
- Capture audits using baseline methods, such as Git, and permanently store automated tasks
- Schedule proactive work and audits
- Allow direct user control over the outcomes of the decision until proven reliable
Real-World Use Case: Automated Actions in NOC Response
A major telecom company was inundated with alerts which related to the changing status of ports. Every day, their NOC staff wasted a tremendous amount of time trying to detect flapping ports and restarting them manually.
When service automation was added.:
- An Ansible playbook automated the detection of the specified ports.
- If a port flapped more than 3 times within 10 minutes, it automatically disabled and re-enabled itself.
- A log was saved and attached to a ServiceNow ticket.
- MTTR went from 45 minutes to under 5 minutes.
Screenshot: Significantly reduced the manual work effort required and enhanced SLA adherence.
Conclusion:
Network automation is essential for today’s NOC workflows. Automating repetitive processes while improving visibility and incident detection enhances an organization’s ability to shift from a reactive to proactive posture.
Automation, if deployed intelligently, allows NOC personnel to manage increasing operational complexities with agility, dependability, and confidence.