By activating the Virtual Operator feature in the NMIS opConfig module, IT managers can empower their team to proactively address common network issues, ensuring optimal performance, security, and compliance.

 

The virtual operator can:

• Troubleshoot common issues automatically. No more sifting through logs or waiting for expert assistance. They can diagnose and resolve common network problems instantly.
• Always follow best practice procedures for network security. Because they follow a script that you create, compliance with industry standards and regulations is pre-defined by you, removing human error and leaving you confident in your network’s safety.
• Help your team move from reactive to proactive network management. Reduce errors, increase performance, and free up valuable time for strategic initiatives.

 

The Evolution of Network Operations – from Manual to Virtual

 

The landscape of network operations has been undergoing a radical transformation.

Traditionally, managing networks involved a predominantly manual approach, relying heavily on human expertise and intervention to address issues, configure devices, and ensure optimal performance. Human error, time-consuming processes, and the inability to scale effectively in the face of growing network complexity posed significant challenges to traditional network management practices.

In the past decade, network monitoring and management platforms have become more intelligent, with advances in big data providing greater insights into a network environment, how and when it is accessed, what devices are used and when, which services are performing optimally, and which services are degrading.

According to the Gartner Market Guide to Network Automation, while more than 65% of enterprise networking activities are performed manually across SME’s, a growing percentage of large enterprises automate more than half of their network activities.

Firstwave Cloud Technology has been at the forefront of this new era of machine intelligence, gathering and analysing network data to provide advanced anomaly detection and predictive analytics that allows operators to proactively manage infrastructure and devices to ensure a healthy and predictable network environment.

With the introduction of the Virtual Operator, this machine intelligence goes a level deeper, allowing the NMIS platform to take action on insights and allowing operators to script a series of activities that the operator can perform at the touch of a button.

This article delves more deeply into the concept of the Virtual Operator, exploring its benefits and potential impact on an organisation’s network automation strategy.  We will examine how automation, through the implementation of a Virtual Operator, is reimagining network administration, driving efficiency, enhancing security, and unlocking new levels of performance and insights.

 

What is the Virtual Operator?

 

The Virtual Operator, is a software agent designed to automate repetitive tasks, optimise network performance, and provide intelligent insights. It functions as a rule-based engine that learns from historical data, network configurations, and best practices, allowing it to make informed decisions and take proactive actions to maintain network stability and efficiency.

Think of a Virtual Operator as a highly specialised AI assistant tailored for network administration. It acts like an extension of the network team, taking on the mundane and repetitive tasks, freeing up human engineers to focus on more strategic and complex challenges.

 

Benefits of implementing a Virtual Operator

 

The implementation of a Virtual Operator offers several key benefits to network administration teams:

1. Human Resource Optimisation

By automating routine tasks, the Virtual Operator can free up engineers to focus on more strategic and complex challenges. This shift allows teams to maximise human talent, enabling them to tackle innovation, problem-solving, and the implementation of new technologies.

2. Improved Network Efficiency and Performance

The Virtual Operator in conjunction with the broader opConfig and opEvents module can continuously monitor network performance, identify potential issues, and proactively take corrective actions. This pre-emptive approach ensures optimal network performance, minimising downtime, and maximising resource utilisation.

3. Enhanced Security and Compliance

The Virtual Operator can implement and enforce security policies, detect anomalies, and respond to security threats in real-time. This automated approach strengthens network security, improves compliance with industry regulations, and reduces the risk of security breaches.

4. Data-Driven Decision Making

Virtual Operators leverage vast amounts of network data to gain valuable insights and optimise network configurations. These insights empower network teams to make informed decisions based on real-time data, leading to more effective resource allocation and network optimisation.

 

Use Case:  Managed Service Providers

 

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) often manage multiple client networks simultaneously. This can be a resource-intensive task, particularly when dealing with routine maintenance and troubleshooting. The Virtual Operator offers a solution to this challenge by automating many of the routine tasks that MSPs typically perform.

For example, a MSP can use the Virtual Operator to automate the process of applying security patches across multiple client networks. The Virtual Operator can execute the necessary commands to apply the patches, run tests to ensure that the patches have been applied correctly, and report any issues that arise. This not only reduces the workload for the MSP’s engineers but also ensures that the patches are applied consistently and without errors.

 

Use Case: Hybrid Networks

 

The Virtual Operator simplifies the management of hybrid networks by automating the tasks required to maintain connectivity and performance.

For example, the Virtual Operator can automatically adjust network configurations to optimise performance as workloads shift between on-premise and cloud environments. It can also monitor network traffic for potential issues and make adjustments in real-time to prevent disruptions. This level of automation ensures that hybrid networks operate smoothly and efficiently, even as conditions change .

 

 

How Businesses can expand their Network Automation beyond the Virtual Operator

 

The adoption of the Virtual Operator for network administration presents a key stepping stone towards the future of network automation for IT teams.  How can a business expand the effectiveness of Virtual Operator and what new developments can we expect to see as network automation technology further evolves?

1. Increased Automation and Self-Healing Networks

Use of the Virtual Operator alongside other modules such as opEvents, opTrend and Open-Audit will drive further automation in network management, eventually enabling self-healing networks that can identify and resolve issues without human intervention. This will lead to more resilient, reliable, and efficient network infrastructure.

2. Enhanced Network Intelligence and Analytics

The use of the Virtual Operator to routinely check network health will play a critical role in advancing network intelligence, enabling teams to gain deeper insights into network performance, security threats, and user behaviour. This will empower teams to make more informed decisions and proactively optimise their networks.

3. Evolution of Network Administration Roles

Eventually, the use of network automation tools such as the Virtual Operator will transform the role of network administrators and engineers, shifting their focus from routine tasks to more strategic and creative activities. They will become more involved in AI model development and instructional writing, data analysis, and the design of intelligent network solutions.

 

Conclusion

 

The Virtual Operator represents a significant step forward in network automation, leveraging the power of AI to enhance network performance, optimise operations, and free up human resources for more strategic tasks. As AI and automation continue to advance, features like the Virtual Operator will play an increasingly crucial role in enabling more intelligent, efficient, and resilient network infrastructure.

 

 

Reference:

Gartner 2023 Market Guide to Network Automation

https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4913231

 

Download Open-AudIT

Go to open-audit.org to download the latest version. Select the Linux or Windows option, and download the binary.

Open-AudIT is installed on-premises. You can also use the FirstWave Virtual Machine if you prefer, and get all the FirstWave monitoring applications installed and ready to use.

How to install for Windows

Prerequisites

• For Windows, the following distributions are supported (64-bit only):
  • Windows Server 2016 and up.
• If you don’t already have NMAP, go to nmap.org to download the latest NMAP binary. Right-click the downloaded .exe file, select Run as Administrator, and run the installation wizard with default installation settings applied.
• If you don’t already have it, install the latest Visual C runtime.
• Windows 10 and 11 are not supported for Open-AudIT Server (they are fine as discovered machines).

Installing for SUSE? Get installation details here.

Claim your free licences

• Open your web browser, navigate to http://YOUR_SERVER/open-audit/, and log in.
• Fill out the form at http://YOUR_SERVER/open-audit/index.php/configuration/license_string to activate your free 20-device professional licence.

Add your credentials

Open-AudIT can handle a variety of credential types, including the standard SNMP, Windows, and SSH types.

• In the Open-AudIT dashboard, navigate to Discover > Credentials > Create Credentials.
• Add your credential details and click Submit.
• Repeat this process as many times as needed to add your desired device credentials to Open-AudIT.

If you don’t have the credentials for a device on your network you will still see the device in Open-AudIT, but data retrieval will be limited.

Now, you can add a discovery!

Start discovering

• From the Open-AudIT dashboard, navigate to Discover > Discoveries > Create Discoveries.
• Add a name and the subnet for your discovery. Typically most users use a /24 network ,e.g. 192.168.1.0/24.
• Click the Execute button on the discovery details page.
• Click the Refresh button at any time to update the logs as the discovery progresses.
• Repeat this process as many times as needed to add all desired discoveries.
• On the Discoveries dashboard, you’ll now see all your listed devices. To view detailed information on a discovered device, navigate to Manage > Devices > List Devices.
• Click the eye icon under the Details column for any device to explore the extensive data Open-AudIT has collected for it.

After adding your credentials and running your discoveries, you’ll notice your home dashboard now displays a variety of charts that give you deeper insights into your network.

Done!

Want a visual run-through? You can watch the entire process in more detail below.

Happy discovering!

Learn more about Open-AudIT

Open-AudIT YouTube playlist

Open-AudIT Community Wiki

Chat to our Support team

In managing computer networks, keeping services running and minimizing disruptions is crucial. One important way to measure how well network managers and operators handle problems is through Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR).

So, What is Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR)?

MTTR is a key performance indicator used in network management to quantify the average time it takes to resolve a network issue or outage from the moment it is detected.

 

This metric encompasses the entire process, from initial problem identification (when a device such as a router, switch, or server goes down or starts experiencing issues) through to the restoration of normal service. MTTR is calculated by taking the total time spent on resolving all incidents within a specific period and dividing it by the number of incidents.

 

 

In simpler terms, MTTR provides a clear picture of how long your network is out of action during a typical incident and how quickly your team can bring everything back to normal. It’s a reflection of the efficiency and effectiveness of your incident response processes.

Why MTTR Matters for Network Managers and Operators

MTTR is more than a mere number; it serves as a direct indicator of the health of your network management practices. Here’s why it’s so crucial:

1. Minimizing Downtime: Networks are the backbone of any organization, and every minute of network downtime can result in lost productivity, customer dissatisfaction, and revenue loss. MTTR helps network managers understand how quickly they can respond to and resolve issues, thus minimizing downtime and its associated impacts.
2. Operational Efficiency: A lower MTTR indicates a streamlined, efficient response process. It reflects well on the team’s capability to detect, diagnose, and fix issues quickly. This significantly enhances the network’s reliability, instilling a heightened level of confidence and bolstering the team’s reputation within the organization.
3. Customer Satisfaction (this is the most imporant one): In today’s fast-paced digital environment, customers expect near-instantaneous service. A quick resolution time keeps customers happy by ensuring that disruptions are brief and service is restored promptly.
4. Resource Management: MTTR can also help in assessing how effectively resources are being used during incident response. A consistently high MTTR might indicate bottlenecks or inefficiencies that need to be addressed, such as outdated tools or a lack of adequate training for the team.

What is a Good MTTR?

The definition of a “good” MTTR can vary depending on the industry, the complexity of the network, and the nature of the incidents. However, there are some general benchmarks that network managers can consider:

• Industry Standards: In many industries, a good MTTR is typically under 4 hours. However, for high-stakes environments, such as financial services or healthcare, MTTR might need to be even lower, often measured in minutes.
• Historical Performance: Your historical data is a great baseline. If your average MTTR has been 6 hours, bringing it down to 4 hours could be a significant improvement. The key is consistent improvement over time.
• SLAs and Customer Expectations: Service Level Agreements (SLAs) often dictate the acceptable MTTR for your organization. These agreements are usually based on customer expectations, which can vary greatly. Meeting or exceeding these SLAs should be the target.
• Comparative Analysis: Look at similar organizations within your industry. Benchmarking against peers can provide insight into where your MTTR stands and what might be achievable.

Conclusion

MTTR stands as a critical measure that network managers and operators need to monitor and improve. It acts as a clear signal of how rapidly your team can recover from network issues, affecting everything from operational efficiency to customer satisfaction. By aiming for a reduced MTTR, network teams are not only able to improve their service reliability but also bolster their overall network management approach. Ultimately, a successful MTTR is one that meets or surpasses your organization’s and its customers’ expectations, while continually striving for quicker and more effective resolutions.