Vendor and Technology independent Network Automation (NCCM)

Vendor- & Technology-Independent Network Automation: A next-generation, unified solution to automated Network Configuration & Change Management (NCCM)

See how StableNet^® continues to set the industry standard for secure network automation by offering a vendor-independent NCCM solution that is both automated and customizable.

Network Configuration and Change Management is the backbone of any dedicated Network Management Software. It addresses the fundamental need for network operators to make proactive changes (for example, when equipment or software is nearing the end of its lifecycle) or reactive changes to their networks.

The primary benefit that NCCM software seeks to deliver is automation of these redundant activities. Automation not only reduces the risk of human error, but can lead to reductions in costs and inconsistencies, as well as improvements in KPI-performance and delivery of your Service Level Agreements (SLAs). However, as there is no standardized syntax for network element configurations, even first-level engineering teams have to be proficient in a number of vendor-specific implementations and terminologies in order to achieve even the simplest of tasks.

As the name implies, NCCM incorporates those processes that impact changes to the network infrastructure. This starts with identifying relevant information about the devices, modules and software. Modern enterprise and telco networks are built atop multiple technologies from a variety of vendors. Since we can only change and manage what we can see, it is critical to find a flexible platform that not only integrates these technologies and vendors, but can enrich the kinds of information that we are able to extract through the integration of external databases.

With StableNet^®, the entire logic for configuration generation and maintenance is automated and steered by discovery templates. Pre-defined command line building blocks – so called snippets – can be even enriched by variables to include external data sources. Those components comprise the NCCM framework, making every configuration change a reliable and repeatable process. A powerful Configuration Difference Analysis tool visualizes comparisons and tracks every modification that has been made. StableNet^® NCCM templates, snippets, workflows and audit logs are maintained and stored in a central database repository together with version control, role-based access, and tracking updates. User-friendly Configuration Jobs deploy required changes or updates to one device or countless devices in your network quickly and with relative ease.

The consolidated solution that StableNet^® offers to NCCM goes far beyond automated configuration changes. The graphic „StableNet^® Automated NCCM Solution“ shows an overview of what really sets it apart.

Network configuration and change encompasses a wide variety of critical, security-related tasks that must be performed regularly in order to ensure that companies can achieve excellence in their day-to-day business operations. StableNet^® has been designed from the ground as an automated, customizable management platform which enables your network infrastructure to be reliably managed in today’s multi-vendor and -technology environment. It is an integral part of any organization’s management infrastructure and a critical step in the StableNet^® Service Assurance and Fulfillment Solution.

As important as it is, NCCM is but one piece in a larger puzzle that makes up network & service management. Discovery, Fault Management, and Performance Management, along with NCCM, are best achieved when they are seen holistically as deriving from the same infrastructure and database. StableNet^® stands apart from the crowd by offering a unified solution which is built upon a single code base and is accessible from a single GUI. This facilitates workflows, frees up critical resources and gives you the peace of mind in knowing that you have found a single solution to your network and services management needs.

• Customizable templates for integration of firm-specific requirements
• Reliable, consistent StableNet® support for End-of-Life and Vulnerability Updates
• Simplified process of change management with predefined Configuration Jobs
• The ability to define compliance policies in order to identify security weaknesses