It is no longer feasible to manually validate the configuration and connectivity of huge, dispersed enterprise networks. With continued migration to cloud-based data centers, remote workers being brought into enterprise networks at a rapid pace, ongoing changes to the configuration of most enterprise networks, and the risk that even a small configuration error can cause a significant impact on the network’s uptime or result in a security vulnerability; consequently, the IT Managers have shifted their strategy to use automated network validation to verify their configuration and connectivity accurately and rapidly.
A recent survey conducted by Gartner in 2024 reported that the cause of nearly 40% of network outages worldwide was due to configuration errors. In addition, the Cisco 2024 report showed that companies that implemented automated validation reduced the average time to troubleshoot network issues by nearly 50%. Both studies explain the trend from network validation in a periodic manner to continual network validation that is supported by automated validation technology as per Netpicker.
What Automated Network Validation Provides
Automated Network Validation checks that devices and routing behavior match design expectations, security policies, and compliance requirements. Previously, engineers would validate network configuration by reviewing device output, performing manual configuration comparisons, or using Excel spreadsheets to store and reference network design parameters. This method is no longer feasible based on the rate at which today’s enterprise networks change.
Through Automated Network Validation, organizations can overcome four critical challenges:
- Reduced human error while making configuration changes.
- Identifying and remediating unintended routing path drift.
- Reduced time to diagnose incidents.
- Ensuring configuration policy consistency across all enterprise environments.
Due to the increasing complexity of enterprise networks, Automation of it is now a viable option as per Netpicker.
How Automated Network Validation Works
Automated Configuration Validation validates the configuration of each device against a defined standard, such as security Policies, compliance frameworks, or internal standards of architecture.
1. Identify Configuration Drift
Configuration Drift refers to the Modeled and Approved State of a device changing to a New or Unapproved State. Configuration Drift occurs due to either an emergency fix, manual configuration changes, or unintentional drift due to policy.
Automated Validation Tools can identify configuration drift by using API Calls or Scripts.
The scripts perform the following actions:
- Identify and store the device’s running configuration.
- Compare the current configuration with a controlled template, also known as a Golden Template.
- Trigger alerts upon identification of deviations.
2.Automatically Ensuring Compliance with Security Policies
Most Security Incidents start with a small misconfiguration. Examples of Security Policy Misconfigurations include management port being open, encryption settings being Outdated, overly permissive Access Control Lists, etc. The means used to Automate Validation of Security Policies against all devices within a Network include:
- Authentication and Password Policy
- SSH and SNMP Configuration
- Firewall Rules
- Logging and Monitoring
- Firmware and OS Version Validation
3. Validating Template Based Deployments
The Automation of Security Policy Validation will provide an Enterprise with Consistency while Protecting Data Centers; Cloud Environments; Branch Office, etc. from commonplace Security Policy Misconfigurations. Automated validation of Template based deployments will save on time when bringing new Devices up and also eliminate deviations from required Templates.
How Automated Connectivity Validation Helps IT Teams
1. Continuous Testing of Critical Services
Automated Validation Scripts will validate Services, such as: DNS; DHCP; VoIP; VPN Tunnels. If a Service were to fail, Automated Validation Scripts will notify the responsible Teams of the Failure Instantly. This prevents Services from going down without anyone knowing until Users notice.
2. Cloud Validation
Cloud Validation will be required, as the Cloud is rapidly taking over as the preferred method to host Applications. The Enterprise will have to validate:
- Traffic Path between Branch Office to their Cloud Provider,
- Cloud Firewalls and Routing Tables,
- VPC Connectivity,
- Hybrid Connectivity via VPN or Direct Circuits.
Automated Cloud Validation will ensure Continuous Performance across Cloud Environments, No Matter How Quickly they change.
Why Automated Validation Reduces MTTR and Improves Resilience
Automated Validation will Help Decrease MTTR and Increase Resilience, by providing insight into what changed, the fastest way to determine what changed. Through Automated Validation, IT Teams will have access to a historical record of network configuration state, historical connectivity behavior history, and how networks were configured as per Netpicker.
1. More Rapid and Accurate Root Cause Analysis, due to:
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- The Automated Validation will show Historical Device Level Comparisons of Current and Previous Configurations; and
- All Deviant Policy; and
- Snapshot of Entire Network State Before and After Changes Were Made.
2. Accurate Impact Assessment Provided to the Executive Team, for example:
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- Which Devices and/or Paths Were Impacted;
- Which Applications are Alerted to an Impacted Path;
- Are There Redundant Resources; What Redundant Resources.
Typical Capabilities Associated with Network Validation for Business Leaders
Business leaders typically do not care about only simplistic checks of expected results from a network validation solution; they want solutions that provide long-term operational sustainability. Let’s see what most common expectations include here at Netpicker :
- Ability to discover and monitor all devices within your environment in Real-time.
- Compatibility with all Multi Vendor platforms and tools.
- Ability to enforce compliance without fail automatically.
- Role-Based access to important devices.
- Ability to provide Predictive insights based on network activity.
- Ability to integrate with Security Information & Event Management (SIEM) tools via ticketing tools.
- The ability to provide Audit ready reporting to support compliance.
The benefits of these capabilities support both the operational efficiencies and compliance requirements of both the organization and the user community.
1. Define validation priorities.
Focus first on high-impact areas to start. For example, Firewalls, Routing, Configuration Drifting and connectivity to Cloud Resources, as well as Identity & Access will provide opportunities for small wins to build confidence.
2. Create a reliable device inventory.
Knowing what devices are out there is crucial to successful validation. Without a complete device inventory, successful automated validation cannot occur.
3. Set a template and policy for how validation is to occur.
By creating a uniform way of validating, it reduces complexity for teams and allows them to concentrate on validating rather than the complexity of validating.
4. Validate incrementally.
Start with Read-Only testing first before implementing Remediation testing. Incremental steps reduce the risk of failure.
5. Integrate Validation into your Existing change process.
Validation should complement your Change Management rather than replace it. It is important that validation be included in your Workflow to give it context to its use.
Validation of the Network is a key factor in creating Resilient, Scalable Infrastructure. Enterprises that invest now will create Resilient, Scalable Infrastructure while eliminating the need for Human Intervention, reducing Outages and increasing Security, thus supporting Growth. For more information, contact us at Netpicker!