Intent-based networking is a network that can recognize and ingest intent from users configured and adapt itself to achieve those intended outcomes without specifying the detailed technical steps for how to do so. IBN systems include functions that ingest intent, model it, and translate it into device configurations, networks, and policies.
Define Your Intent
Intent-based network translates high-level business objectives into network policies and configurations. It then continuously monitors and adjusts to ensure the network infrastructure aligns with business goals.
It automates many manual tasks for network administrators, enabling them to spend less time on non-value-adding activities. It also slashes errors and risks and improves operational efficiencies.
Define Your Policies
Intent-based networking companies offer software that translates a business’s goals into network configuration settings. Network administrators can then use the system to review and choose from vetted options quickly.
The system also monitors and verifies that the configured network meets its original intent. Analytics can help identify performance issues, allowing for faster root-cause identification and remediation. It reduces the amount of manual work that network administrators must do. It also frees up resources that could be better spent on more strategic projects. The software also enables a more agile and responsive network.
Define Your Infrastructure
If you are considering adopting an intent-based network, it is important to understand the different types of infrastructure this type of system utilizes. IBN systems reinterpret high-level business goals into policies and deploy these policies on a device-by-device basis.
These goals are then verified and adjusted over time. Traffic priorities may be prioritized differently for different locations and during specific times of day. IBN software can do this automatically. It reduces the amount of manual work required by administrators. It also eliminates human-induced errors and speeds up troubleshooting times.
Define Your Applications
Using machine learning, intent-based networking translates high-level business objectives into network configuration. It automates time-consuming tasks and enables faster troubleshooting and resolution.
Intent-based software acts like the sound preset on a graphic equalizer, prioritizing one type of traffic over another. It increases network performance without requiring a large IT staff.
Intent-based systems can ingest diagnostic information from many devices, including Layer 3 routers, SD-WAN appliances, and WAN optimization controllers. This information is used to verify that the desired network goals are being met and provide visibility into any potential deviations from those goals.
Define Your Devices
An effective intent-based network transforms business goals into configuration for the entire device network. It eliminates the need for administrators to deploy policies device-by-device.
It also frees IT talent from time-consuming manual tasks like capacity planning, ensuring best practices are followed, and providing proactive notifications about bandwidth consumption. In addition, it detects and resolves issues faster, reducing human-induced troubleshooting times.
An IBN can ingest information from various sources, including your monitoring system and network telemetry. It can then analyze this information and proactively make changes to the network.
Define Your Security Policies
Intent-based network security translates business intent into policies and configuration settings to achieve stated outcomes. It allows NetOps to confirm configuration settings across the network, ensure compliance, and remediate any threats automatically.
It also lets computers validate best practices and prioritize traffic like a stereo system’s graphic equalizer. It frees IT professionals from time-consuming manual tasks and speeds up problem resolution. IBN eliminates human error, reduces risk, and improves operational efficiencies. It’s a powerful new ally for SecOps.
Define Your Network Policies
Intent-based networks translate business goals into network configurations to meet those goals. They continuously monitor traffic to ensure best practices are in place and identify security threats—even in encrypted traffic.
IBN software translates business intent into vetted configuration options, eliminating the need for manual tasks and reducing misconfigurations. It enables faster troubleshooting and slashes operational costs by increasing performance.
It’s important to note that intent-based networking differs from software-defined networking (SDN). SDN focuses on how the device should function, while IBN works on achieving a service request.
Define Your Network Configuration
Supporting network infrastructure is one of the biggest responsibilities of any IT department. That is why network engineering is one of the most in-demand jobs in the IT industry.
Using an intent-based network is the best way to reduce manual tasks and misconfigurations. This type of network ingests information from devices, enabling faster root-cause identification when things go wrong. It also helps ensure the network continually aligns with business objectives throughout the service lifecycle. This is accomplished through continuous monitoring and automated adjustments of the network.
Define Your Network Policies
An intent-based network constantly monitors itself and addresses issues automatically. It reduces the need for business employees to perform health checks manually and allows them to focus on more important tasks.
Intent-based networking software translates high-level operational goals into network configurations that support them. It saves an extraordinary amount of time compared to traditional network management approaches.
It’s like sound presets on a graphic equalizer that lets you prioritize different ranges of audio signals. IBN systems do the same for your network. It means you can quickly review vetted configuration options and meet your goals faster.
Define Your Network Configuration
Network configuration refers to the settings for all the devices in your business’s computer system. It determines your network’s topology, how your switches are arranged, and how they communicate.
IBN software converts intent commands into network configuration changes and automatically applies them across the existing infrastructure. It reduces errors and enables faster root-cause detection.
IBN also constantly monitors the network for its current state and compares it to its intended form, proactively identifying and resolving issues. This frees up IT staff from time-consuming administrative tasks.