Intent-Based Networking and Why You Need To Care
Almost always there is a “newest factor” in networking… 5 years ago, it had been Ethernet Fabrics within the data center, then came SDN, and presently it’s SD-WAN. As SD-WAN adoption grows and shifts from bleeding to innovative, the following big factor around the networking horizon offers to be Intent-based Networking. Whether you’ve probably heard about the idea of “intent-based networking” or otherwise, the approach is a we’ll unquestionably be hearing much more about within the coming several weeks and years. Not only a particular technology it is the ultimate goal of networking. A drastically new approach that allows the network to continuously align itself towards the disparate demands from the organization. It includes all of the latest networking innovations including SDN, virtualization, machine learning, model-based APIs, and lots of securities related innovations right into a closed loop system able to identifying, predicting, and answering small business. Intent-based networking system incorporates these four key things:
Translation and Validation – The machine requires a greater-level business policy (what) as input from finish users and converts it towards the necessary network configuration (how). The machine then generates and validates the resulting design and configuration for correctness.
Automated Implementation – The machine can configure the right network changes (how) across existing network infrastructure. This really is typically done via network automation and/or network orchestration.
Understanding of Network Condition – The machine ingests real-time network status for systems under its administrative control, and it is protocol- and transport-agnostic.
Assurance and Dynamic Optimization/Removal- The machine continuously validates (instantly) the original business intent from the product is being met, and may take corrective actions (for example blocking traffic, modifying network capacity or notifying) when preferred intent isn’t met.
Do you know the benefits?
Intent-based networking offers to bring benefits to organizations of any size. All IT managers want better access control, massive scalability, security and multi-vendor device management and also the most compelling-the opportunity to manage hundreds to a large number of heterogeneous devices on the network being an aggregate, and achieve this with speed, automation and ease.
Is intent-based networking a rehash of software defined networking?
Software defined networking or SDN is a number of network objects (switches, routers, firewalls) all deployed inside a highly-automated manner. Intent-based networking leverages the abilities of SDN but marries it to intelligence.
Do you know the risks involved?
Intent based networking needs a fair quantity of re-skilling and process change that aren’t without their very own risks. Furthermore, as with all major technology transition, you will find technology and process risks connected with implementation. You will have to carefully plan your migration, to be able to rapidly reap the rewards without having affected existing service levels.