Self-driving networks – The next step in network management.
Networks play an increasingly critical role in day-to-day business operations. Employees work from multiple locations, more and more applications are hosted in the cloud, and organisations are placing greater demands on both security and availability. As a result, managing a network is becoming increasingly complex.
As IT environments become more complex, IT teams don’t always have the time or resources to investigate every issue manually. When a user experiences a slow connection, identifying the root cause can be time-consuming. Is the problem with the device, the wireless network, an access point or the application itself?
That’s why HPE is placing increasing emphasis on self-driving networks. In this article, we explain what that means, the role AI and automation play in making it possible, and how the combination of Aruba and Juniper is helping to accelerate this development.
What is a self-driving network?
In a self-driving network, AI and automation take over an increasing share of day-to-day network management. The network continuously collects data on the performance of connections, devices and applications. When an issue arises, the system helps pinpoint the cause more quickly and accurately.
For example, the management platform may detect that a slow connection only affects users at a specific location or devices with a particular configuration. Based on that information, it can identify a likely cause and recommend a solution. In some cases, the system can even take corrective action automatically, resolving issues before users notice any impact.
That doesn’t mean network administrators will become redundant. Their role is simply evolving. Instead of spending time troubleshooting recurring issues, they can focus on tasks that require specialist expertise and strategic decision-making.
The role of Aruba and Juniper.
The development of self-driving networks is gaining further momentum as HPE continues to advance its networking technologies. Following HPE’s acquisition of Juniper Networks, the company has increasingly integrated Juniper’s capabilities with those of HPE Aruba Networking. Aruba already has a strong position in network management, cloud solutions and security, while Juniper brings technologies such as Mist AI into the portfolio. Mist AI uses artificial intelligence to identify network issues more quickly and provide administrators with deeper insight into the user experience.
Another valuable addition is Apstra, Juniper’s data centre networking solution. It helps organisations monitor and automate their data centre environments more effectively, extending the benefits of automation beyond the campus and workplace network. As a result, organisations can increasingly manage their networks through a single, unified approach, covering the entire environment, from the data centre to the workplace, and from office networks to remote locations.
From reactive to proactive network management.
The biggest shift lies in the way organisations deal with network issues. Traditionally, investigations only begin once a user reports a problem. Administrators then have to gather information from multiple sources to determine what is causing the disruption.
AI-supported network management makes it possible to identify issues much earlier. The system detects anomalies, highlights potential causes and helps administrators resolve problems more quickly. As a result, network management becomes less reactive and more proactive.
In practice, this delivers a range of benefits. Administrators gain faster visibility into issues and spend less time on manual troubleshooting. Problems can be resolved sooner, reducing the impact on users, while the additional insight also provides a clearer understanding of overall network performance.
Security is playing an increasingly important role.
Of course, a network needs to perform well, but it also needs to be secure. That is why network management and security are becoming ever more closely integrated within HPE’s portfolio. New capabilities for network access control, segmentation and monitoring help organisations maintain better visibility of the devices and users connected to the network. When the system detects unusual behaviour, administrators can assess more quickly whether action is required.
This combination of visibility, automation and security is becoming increasingly important. The number of connected devices continues to grow, while employees access the network from a variety of locations. As a result, it is no longer enough to know whether someone has access to the network. You also need to understand whether that access is appropriate for the user’s role and behaviour.
What does this mean for your business?
The shift towards self-driving networks is well underway, and the technology is becoming increasingly practical and accessible. That doesn’t mean you need to redesign your network overnight. However, it is worth taking a closer look at the areas where network management consumes the most time. Where do issues occur most frequently? Which parts of the environment still require significant manual effort? How quickly can you identify the cause of a problem? And where are the opportunities to automate more effectively?
With ARP’s data centre MOT, we assess your IT environment as a whole. We look at your servers and storage, as well as how your network is being used and managed. The result is a clear view of potential bottlenecks and practical recommendations to help make your network more reliable, secure and easier to manage.