The complexity of modern networks has surged due to digital transformation, hybrid work models, and evolving security threats, making manual management increasingly unsustainable. Network automation addresses this challenge by streamlining operations and enabling networks to adapt and remain resilient in an ever-changing environment.
A recent Gartner study predicts that by 2026, 30% of enterprises will automate more than half of their network activities. This shift reflects the growing recognition among IT leaders that automation is no longer optional but a necessity for future-proofing network infrastructure.
This guide will take you through a structured approach to implement network automation successfully, transforming how your organization manages its network infrastructure.
Step 1: Understand your network’s baseline
Automation begins with clarity. Before implementing changes, you need a thorough understanding of your current network setup.
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Inventory management: Document all network devices, including routers, switches, firewalls, and their configurations.
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Identify pain points: Determine which tasks consume the most time or are prone to errors, such as repetitive configurations or compliance checks.
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Assess readiness: Ensure your hardware and software support automation capabilities, including APIs or scripting support.
By establishing a clear baseline, you can identify areas where automation will have the most immediate impact.
Step 2: Set clear automation objectives
Establish specific goals for what you aim to achieve with network automation. These objectives will guide your strategy and help measure progress.
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Improve operational efficiency: Reduce manual workloads by automating routine tasks.
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Enhance network security: Enforce configuration standards and monitor for unauthorized changes.
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Achieve compliance: Automatically align with regulatory standards to avoid penalties.
Having these goals ensures that automation efforts align with business priorities.
Step 3: Choose the right automation tools
Selecting the right tools is critical to your automation journey.
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Vendor-neutral support: Manage devices from multiple manufacturers seamlessly.
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Customizable workflows: Adapt prebuilt templates or scripts to fit your network’s unique needs.
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Compliance features: Ensure adherence to industry standards without manual intervention.
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Integration capabilities: Connect with other IT systems like monitoring and ticketing platforms.
Step 4: Create and test configurations
Automation thrives on consistency. Develop standardized templates for configurations to minimize errors and ensure uniformity across devices.
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Design templates: Use tools like configlets to create reusable scripts for tasks like VLAN configurations or firmware updates.
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Test in a lab environment: Simulate real-world scenarios to validate the scripts.
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Deploy gradually: Roll out changes to a small subset of devices before scaling.
Step 5: Start with high-impact tasks
Focus on automating tasks that offer the quickest returns.
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Scheduled backups: Automate configuration backups to prevent data loss.
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Firmware updates: Use scripts to ensure consistent firmware updates across devices.
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Real-time alerts: Set up notifications for critical events like unauthorized changes.
By addressing high-impact areas first, you’ll demonstrate the value of automation and build momentum for further initiatives.
Step 6: Monitor and optimize
Automation is an iterative process. Continuous monitoring and optimization ensure its long-term success.
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Analyze reports: Use analytics to measure the performance of automated tasks.
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Incorporate feedback: Gather input from your team to improve workflows.
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Adapt to changes: Update scripts to address evolving network demands or new technologies.
Leveraging ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager for automation
ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager is a powerful tool designed to simplify network automation for IT teams. Here are the key features and what they accomplish:
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Configlets: Reuse these command scripts to automate repetitive tasks like bulk configuration updates, firmware updates, and compliance enforcement.
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Compliance management: Define customized policies to ensure your network adheres to industry standards automatically.
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Real-time change monitoring: Detect and respond to unauthorized changes instantly.
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Scheduled backups: Safeguard your network configurations with automated backups.
Spotlight on configlets
Configlets are at the core of ManageEngine’s automation capabilities. These scripts empower network administrators to:
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Save time: Drastically reduce manual intervention for routine network configuration tasks.
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Enhance accuracy: Eliminate inconsistencies by standardizing configurations.
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Improve your network’s security posture: Ensure seamless firmware updates and compliance across multi-vendor devices.
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Scale operations: Seamlessly manage networks of any size with minimal effort.
For example, a single configlet can update access control lists across all routers in minutes, ensuring uniform security policies.
Network automation isn’t just about reducing workloads—it’s about building a resilient, scalable, and secure network infrastructure. By following this step-by-step guide and leveraging tools like ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager, your organization can unlock the full potential of automation.
With features like configlets, configuration change, and compliance management, ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager empowers IT teams to focus on innovation while maintaining network reliability. Start your automation journey today and redefine how your network operates by downloading a free, 30-day trial of ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager. You can also schedule a personalized demo with our product experts.
