The first set of "network" software bots from Juniper Networks

    Modern enterprise networks often span multiple cloud services. To simplify work with networks, companies resort to software automation methods.

    However, the creation of such software requires qualified developers, who, according to a recent survey among customers and partners of Juniper Networks, lack 43% of companies.

    Therefore, Juniper introduced a set of software bots that will automate network maintenance work. More about this under the cut. / photo Andrew Hart CC




    How do bots help


    For each type of device (server and network equipment, storage) located in the racks of the data center, a separate team of administrators is usually responsible. This approach is effective in most cases, but with the advent of virtual infrastructure , the server configuration process has changed. Now automated solutions are used for this, such as a single control panel of the IaaS provider. It allows you to independently create and clone virtual servers, work with the network configuration, install the OS and publish applications.

    The automation trend is beginning to affect all processes related to managing data center resources, in particular, setting up network infrastructure. Manual network configuration may takeseveral days, depending on the workload of specialists. If you transfer at least part of this work to the software components, excluding the human factor, routine operations will be implemented much faster. This will reduce network maintenance costs and increase the percentage of its resources.

    For this, Juniper Networks introduced several software bots. They are part of an ecosystem of applications that can automatically reconfigure networks to meet business requirements.

    Juniper announced the following systems:

    • Contrail PeerBot. Automates the dynamic routing process over BGP and simplifies the process of implementing network policies.
    • Contrail TestBot. Helps network operators implement DevOps for continuous system integration and deployment. It also automates the process of auditing changes to the network.
    • AppFormix HealthBot. A bot based on machine learning technology from AppFormix (a company acquired by Juniper), which collects network data in real time and provides them in an understandable form for the operator.

    According to Juniper Marketing Director Donel Jones-Williams (Donyel Jones-Williams), this is only the "first batch" of the planned "library of bots", which will create a full-fledged "self-managed network."

    In addition to this project, Juniper is also working on improving the API for the Juniper Extension Toolkit (JET). Now developers will have the opportunity to create applications with direct access to data on vMX and MX Series routers .

    Alternative development from Cisco


    Other IT giants are also developing in the field of automating the functioning and deployment of networks. For example, this is done at Cisco. In June 2017, at a conference in San Francisco, company representatives announced they were working on an “intuitive network” that would self-learn and automatically eliminate threats.

    According to Cisco, 50% of cyber attacks are “hiding” in encrypted traffic. Using the capabilities of the MO, the network is able to detect attack signatures without decrypting the information. According to the company, the accuracy of threat detection is 99%.

    The complex of intent-based (intent-based) network solutions also allows you to automate individual administrator tasks: configuring and debugging networks, drawing up policies, etc. During technology testing, a decrease in network deployment time by 67% and a reduction in operating costs by 61% were noted.

    The solution from Cisco already tested 75 companies, among which are NASA, Jade University of Applied Sciences, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Scentsy.

    About Juniper

    Juniper Networks - an American company engaged in the production of telecommunications equipment, primarily for Internet service providers and the state. organizations. It was founded in 1996. IT-GRAD works with all lines of Juniper Networks equipment.



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