AutoCon2: The Network of the Future is Automated

AutoCon2, a premier event put on by Network Automation Forum (NAF) and dedicated to network automation, recently took place in Denver, Colorado. This three-day conference brought together industry experts, network engineers, and automation enthusiasts to explore the latest trends, challenges, and best practices in network automation. With a packed agenda featuring insightful talks, hands-on workshops, and engaging discussions, AutoCon2 offered a comprehensive look into the future of network automation. This conference is quickly becoming one of my favorite events of the year.

Key Themes and Highlights

One of the most prominent themes at AutoCon2 was the increasing importance of network automation in today’s digital age. As networks become more complex and dynamic, manual configuration and management are no longer sustainable. Network automation tools, techniques, and frameworks are essential for streamlining operations, reducing errors, and improving overall network efficiency.

Several key highlights from the conference included:

• Source of Truth (SoT): SoT emerged as a critical concept, emphasizing the need for a single, reliable source of information about the network. Attendees discussed the benefits of using SoT tools like NetBox, OpsMill, and Nautobot to maintain accurate and up-to-date network documentation.
• Orchestration: Orchestration frameworks are becoming key to each organizations automation success. There are both open source solutions like Ansible and commerical solutions like Itential. These were widely discussed, highlighting their role in automating complex network deployments and configurations.
• Observability: Observability tools were showcased, demonstrating their ability to monitor network performance, detect anomalies, and proactively address issues. You can not automate without the input data on what is going on in the network. Scott Robohn has made this point a number of times as part of his Total Network Operations (TNoPs) podcast. Just like with Orchestration, there are both open source and commercial tools that were highlighted at Autocon2.
• AI and Machine Learning: It’s 2024 so of course AI and ML were explored. Snark and sarcasm aside, Artificial Intelligence provides emerging technologies with the potential to revolutionize network automation. Attendees discussed how these technologies can be used for predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and automated troubleshooting.

Hands-on Workshops

AutoCon2 offered a variety of hands-on workshops on Monday and Tuesday that allowed attendees to gain practical experience with network automation tools and techniques. These workshops covered topics such as Ansible, Python scripting, integration with a Source of Truth (SoT), network observability, and network troubleshooting using Large Language Models (LLMs). I only wish I could have been in more than one place at a time. The workshops were broken into half-day sessions on Monday and Tuesday. In each block, there were four workshops being run in parallel. I heard only great things about all of the workshops.

Community

The conference also fostered a strong sense of community among network automation professionals. One of the key benefits of attending an event like this is learning from other practitioners on what is working for them in their organization. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and collaborate on projects. Social events, networking sessions, and Birds of Feather lunches further enhanced the community atmosphere.

Naffy

Every great organization has a great logo AND a great mascot. Network Automation Forum (NAF), launched a new cat mascot named Naffy, who quickly became a popular figure at the event. Here is a picture of Chris Grundemann announcing the mascot on the main stage:

The Future of Network Automation

As the networking industry continues to evolve, network automation will play an increasingly vital role. AutoCon2 provided a glimpse into the future of network automation, showcasing the latest trends and innovations. Key takeaways from the conference include:

• Embrace Automation: Network automation is no longer optional; it is essential for staying competitive in today’s digital landscape. The good news is you can start small and mature for simple automation of easy tasks.
• Prioritize SoT: A well-maintained SoT is crucial for efficient network operations and automation. The first step for a lot of organizations is building that SoT.
• Leverage Orchestration: Orchestration frameworks can significantly streamline network deployments and configurations. It essentially allows you to make your network automation a service that users within your organization can leverage.
• Invest in Observability: Robust observability tools are essential for monitoring network health and performance. Similar to SoT this is a great place to get started.
• Explore AI and ML: AI and ML have the potential to transform network automation and troubleshooting, enabling more intelligent and proactive network management.

Conclusion

AutoCon2 was a resounding success, providing a valuable platform for network automation professionals to learn, collaborate, and network. The conference highlighted the importance of network automation in today’s digital age and showcased the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of networking. By embracing automation, prioritizing SoT, leveraging orchestration, investing in observability, and exploring AI and ML, network engineers can drive innovation, improve efficiency, and ensure the reliability of their networks. The team at NAF will be cleaning up and posting the videos on YouTube as time allows. Keep an eye on their YouTube feed if you missed the event and start planning for Autocon3 in May in Europe!