What is the core component of intent-based networking?

What is Intent-based networking?

An emerging technology concept called intent-based networking (IBN) seeks to replace the manual processes of configuring networks and responding to issues with a deeper level of intelligence and intended state. Rather, network administrators specify a desired result or corporate aim, also known as the “intent,” and the network’s software uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to determine how to get there.

Intent-based networking (IBN) systems anticipate possible deviations from a given intent and recommend the necessary action to ensure that intent, in addition to automating time-consuming tasks and providing real-time visibility into a network’s activity to validate that intent. The increased intelligence decreases errors and increases the network’s speed and agility.

Intent- based networking’s benefits

Compared to software-defined networking and even regular networking, intent-based networking has a few definite advantages. The majority of these benefits result in substantial time savings:

Elimination of manual labor: An intent-based network converts instructions into actions. Network configuration does not need to be done by a network administrator in order to accommodate new requirements or policies. The network thinks for itself, confirming that a configuration will function, presenting options to the administrator, and implementing the necessary adjustments to conform to the intended configuration. Without assistance from a human, the intent-based network is also capable of provisioning and repairing itself.

Quicker troubleshooting and fix: An intent-based network quickly detects performance problems because it is always monitoring itself. These problems are also resolved by the intent-based network, which applies machine learning to identify and apply the optimal solution.

Decreased risk of noncompliance: An additional benefit of having a network that continuously checks and fixes problems is that the network adheres to any rules that the network administrator has established.

Increased security The intent-based network continuously monitors traffic, including encrypted traffic, to look for threats. Vulnerabilities in security are quickly found and fixed.

Optimized analytics: Network managers are able to make better decisions that lead to better business outcomes when they have a clear understanding of how a network is operating. Constantly collecting information about itself, an intent-based network can be examined in a variety of ways to learn important details about security risks, network performance, and other topics.

Quick translation of high-level business goals into the best network configurations to support them: This is the main distinction between an intent-based network and a software-defined network. An intent-based network does this instantly. The time spent on planning, testing, and manual configuration is greatly reduced when a network administrator can swiftly examine and select from approved configuration options. A faster time to business goals means a larger return on investment.

What does intent-based networking aim to achieve?

From start-ups to well-known networking vendors, intent-based networking companies provide a variety of options with minor variations. However, networking that makes use of cognitive computing and machine learning is the aim in order to enable more automation and reduce the amount of time spent on manual configuration and management. They offer software that converts network configuration into intent. With intent-based networking, network administrators specify a desired result or corporate aim (the intent), and the network’s software uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to determine how to get there.

Intent-based networking systems anticipate possible deviations from a given intent and recommend the necessary action to ensure that intent, in addition to automating time-consuming tasks and providing real-time visibility into a network’s activity to validate that intent. The network becomes more error-free, quicker, and more nimble thanks to this increased intelligence. The fundamental feature of intent-based networking is its capacity for self-monitoring and self-correction.

How does networking based on intent operate?

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are used by intent-based networking to prescribe and carry out routine tasks, establish policies, react to system events, and confirm that objectives and actions have been met. For instance, if it’s necessary to accomplish a particular goal, it can enable servers to be reached from particular networks. In addition to configuring network changes, the system can also verify that they are being carried out and make any necessary adjustments. Intent-based networking, which is seen as a development of software-defined networking (SDN), expands on that technology by allowing a higher degree of intelligence to specify which tasks should be automated.

What connection exists between SDN and intent-based networking?

Compare intent-based networking to software-defined networking as a more advanced version of SDN. Software-defined networking provides a single dashboard for network infrastructure management. It makes it possible to automate a number of laborious tasks, such as setting up and growing a network. In addition, it makes it simple and quick for a network administrator to adjust the network’s configuration in response to the requirement to support a particular task or application. It provides network administrators with a comprehensive picture of the network as a whole, showing them how its various components interact to either improve or worsen network performance.

Software-defined networking is enhanced by intent-based networking. It enables a network administrator to set up a system so that it can support and handle a business case rather than just one particular job. Based on pre-deployed policies, the intent-based network can determine how to achieve the administrator’s goals while upholding existing ones. In order to make sure the network is still functioning as intended, an intent-based network constantly self-checks as it evolves. The network can propose changes for the operator to consider and approve if a fix is required.