Network Automation
Network automation is the practice of using software tools, scripts, and frameworks to automate the configuration, management, testing, deployment, and operation of physical and virtual network devices. It replaces manual, repetitive tasks with programmable workflows to increase efficiency, reduce human error, and enable consistent network operations. This approach leverages technologies like APIs, configuration management tools, and orchestration platforms to treat network infrastructure as code.
Developers should learn network automation to streamline network operations in DevOps and cloud-native environments, where rapid provisioning and scalability are critical. It is essential for managing large-scale data centers, implementing continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines for network changes, and ensuring compliance through automated auditing and reporting. Use cases include automating firewall rule updates, deploying virtual networks in cloud platforms, and integrating network management with IT service management tools.