In today’s digital era, many companies are starting to use advanced technology to make it easier for them to develop their business. One of these technologies is Network Automation. So what is Network Automation and what are the advantages of using Network Automation in your company? Let’s look at the following article.
Table of Contents
Explanation of Computer Network
Before discussing Network Automation, we should know what the basis of Network Automation is, namely the computer network itself.
A computer network is a system that connects several computers with other devices so that they are integrated, centralized, and become one unit.
So that a computer network is a collection of computers and other equipment that are connected in a single unit.
Computer Network Purpose
The purpose of this computer network is none other than to provide benefits in human life, one of which is to facilitate work in terms of business activities, education, health, government, and so on.
Resource sharing
This computer network can be used to share resources, for example, computers want to print files using printers on the same network.
Information
With a computer network we can access information on the internet that is useful for science, for example using web browsing.
Communication Means
Computer networks that are connected using the internet network can make it easier for humans to do telecommunications. For example using email, chatting, video conferencing, and much more.
Computer Network Topology
The computer network itself is divided into several types based on the layout of the connected devices. This network topology is divided into several basic types
In computer networking, topology refers to the layout of the connected devices. Computer network topology can be regarded as a form or virtual network structure. This shape does not always correspond to the actual physical layout of the devices on the network.
- Bus
- Ring
- Star
- Tree
- Mesh
Bus
This bus computer network topology uses cables to connect between computers. This cable serves as a communication medium.
Devices that want to communicate with devices that communicate with other devices in sending messages, using printers, and sharing files.
Ring
In a ring network this is a network of at least two computers for communication purposes.
If there is damage to the cable then all networks will be damaged and cannot be used to communicate.
Star
This star topology has a center or hub node that may be a network hub, switch, or router.
When compared to the bus, the star network usually requires more cable, but if the failure in the star network cable will only reduce one network access.
Tree
This tree topology is a combination of star topologies to form a bus topology.
In its simplest form, only these hub devices are connected directly to the tree bus, and each of these hubs serves as a network root in the tree topology.
Mesh
The mesh topology introduces the concept of routes which, unlike the previous topologies, are messages that can be sent on a mesh network that takes one of several possible paths from source to destination. Usually this mesh topology is used in WAN networks, especially the internet.
Devices in a Computer Network
As for some of the devices in a computer network that can build a computer network, the following are some of the types of devices that can be used as a computer network:
Hubs and Switches
Hubs and switches are two different devices that can have one common purpose which is to connect computers in the same network.
Network Cable
To be able to connect the client with a server or other device, which can be required with a network cable.
Each cable has its own advantages and disadvantages such as coaxial cable, fiber optic, and twister pair.
Router
Router is a network device in the role of connecting a wired LAN network with a wireless WAN network and managing data traffic in a network.
Network Interface Card (NIC)
This NIC or LAN card, which has a function to connect a computer to a network. Most modern computers usually have an embedded NIC.
This NIC has speeds that vary between ethernet (10 Mb/s), fast ethernet (100 Mb/s), gigabit ethernet (1000 Mb/s), and high (10000 Mb/s).
Modem
Modem is a device that serves to connect a computer to the internet network using an internet service provider or ISP.
Wireless Card
Wireless Card is a device that can transmit signals and connect to wireless network devices.
Repeaters
Repeater is a network that has a function to strengthen the signal of a wireless or wireless network.
Servers
Servers fight as data storage media and to manage computer networks. Usually the server has a higher specification than the client computer.
Benefits of Computer Network
There are several factors that influence the use of computer networks for companies with large-scale businesses.
This computer network has various benefits that can benefit its users. The following are some of the benefits of computer networks, including:
Communication Process
This computer network can make it easier for us to communicate and connect with each other without worrying about distance. This way of communicating can be in the form of text messages, images, audio, or video.
Simplify the Process of Sending Data
This computer network can make it easier for people to send data via the internet or other devices.
Allow Others To Access Data
Computer networks can make it easier for people to access data that was previously allowed to be shared and accessed from anywhere and anytime.
Reducing Fund Expenditure
Computer networks can reduce costs, for example, no need to spend money to print files or make calls, and so on.
Maintain Data Security
This computer network has protection so that the data that can be owned can be guaranteed security.
Network Automation in a Company
Network automation or network automation is able to simplify human work and life. What are the benefits and reasons for using network automation? Let’s look at the following explanation.
Know What is Automation
Automation is important in human life, especially in facilitating work. Besides that, network automation was created to make network management easier and has several benefits that can reduce costs, reduce expertise, and speed up work.
Automation is
What is automation? Automation is the creation and application of technology in producing and delivering goods and services that reduce human work.
The application of technology, engineering and process automation increases the efficiency, speed and reliability of performing many tasks at once that was previously done by humans.
This automation is usually used in several fields including manufacturing, transportation, utilities, defense, facilities, operations, and information.
Why Use Automation
Why use automation, there are several main reasons for using automation, among others, to minimize the use of labor or replace operations in the most menial or repetitive tasks.
For example, in a company or factory that uses automation in the form of a robot assembly line. Human input is needed in determining the process and supervising it, while the assembly of various components is left to machines, which automatically turn raw materials into finished goods.
Examples of Automation Examples
The simplest to the most complex applications must have automation in them. The most common example is air conditioning or room air conditioning which has an automation system that can adjust the room temperature to match the desired temperature.
There are many more examples such as boilers, telephone switchboards, GPS systems, to the most sophisticated self-driving cars.
Home Automation
Using a combination of hardware and software technology that has the function to manage and control the devices in the house.
Network Automation
Network Automation can automate the configuration, management, and operation of computer networks.
Office Automation
Office automation involves multiple computers and software to store, digitize, process, communicate in most of the routine tasks and processes in the company.
Automated Website Testing
Automated website testing can simplify and standardize website testing parameters in making configuration changes that occur during the development phase.
Data Center Automation
This data center automation can make it possible to enable most data center operations to be carried out only with software programs. Also included in the automatic system operation.
Test Automation
This type of automation is aimed at using software to perform automated quality assurance tests by scripts and other automation tools.
Network Automation Explanation
Network Automation is a method by which software can automatically configure, provision, manage, and test network devices.
Network Automation is commonly used by companies and service providers to increase efficiency, reduce human error and lower operating costs.
These network automation tools are capable of supporting functions ranging from basic network mapping and device discovery to more complex workflows, for example in network configuration management to provisioning virtual network resources.
Network automation can also play a key role in the network that can be done by software, network virtualization, enabling the provision of virtual network functions.
Some Benefits of Network Automation
There are several benefits in Network Automation, namely to make work more reliable to facilitate human life. The following are some Network Automation namely:
Reducing Human Error (human error)
As said earlier, Network Automation can reduce human error. It is undeniable that humans can make mistakes in doing work. Therefore Network Automation is expected to reduce these errors.
Operating costs
Network Automation can reduce operational costs. These businesses can operate with greater speed and reliability by eliminating certain manual tasks around network device provisioning and network management. So you can reduce operating costs significantly.
Increase Efficiency
Network Automation can improve the efficiency of network devices. In short you no longer have to do tasks that could take you longer.
Network Automation Type
Network Automation can be performed on all types of networks, including local area networks, WANs, data center networks, cloud networks, and wireless networks.
In short, network resources can be controlled using a CLI or an API can be automated.
Script-driven Network Automation
Network Automation can use scripts and programming languages to execute tasks, which should use the right triggers and consistent procedures. For example, the programming language used is Perl and Tcl which are most often used.
For today’s increasingly complex network, newer open source programming languages such as Ansible, Python and Ruby, are increasingly being used because the languages are easier to understand and flexible. There are also other programming languages that can do Network Automation including Bash and Go.
Software-based Network Automation
Software-based network automation, often referred to as Smart Network Automation. This type can eliminate the need to use scripts manually. These platforms usually provide templates for creating and executing tasks based on simple language policies.
Intent-based Network Automation
This type of Network Automation is the latest type that includes the use of artificial intelligence AI and machine learning to understand user and business intent and automatically changes the way network policies are implemented based on data.
Network admins can improve the network automatically adapt for better and improve application performance for businesses.
Main Reasons to Use Network Automation
The main reasons for using Network Automation include:
Finance
Finance is very crucial in building a business. You can use automation which can reduce operating costs by tracking network device inventory and only need to incur device maintenance costs which can significantly save company finances.
Network Topology
We previously discussed this network topology, namely the physical geographical layout of a network.
Choosing a topology that suits your needs and is very important is very important to prevent network outages and network planning.
Process Scaling
In managing the network there are several processes that are carried out regularly in order to have a network that runs smoothly with minimal downtime.
However, by using Network Automation, this process can be done regularly so as to reduce the risk of unexpected network failures.
Network Analysis
Network analysis is a process of taking all the related data in the network which is then collected and analyzed to identify problems and their potential.
Usually network analysis relies on the Network engineer with the data that has been collected. This work is certainly not small, it limits what he can do. To make identification easier you can use Network Automation in the absence of a network engineer.
Conclusion
Network Automation in the increasingly advanced digital era is indeed very helpful for human work, especially in terms of networks.
Especially for a company that is just starting to use a network that has many branches. So that with Network Automation it will be able to save costs, and increase the effectiveness of network operations.
For those of you who want to implement Network Automation in your company, NetData will be ready to help you. Visit the nds.id website to see various network technologies that you may need.
