6.1 Automation and Network Management

Question 1

Define:

network automation

Answer 1

Refers to software that automates network management.

It streamlines the configuration, monitoring, and operation of network devices and services, reducing manual intervention.

Question 2

What are the key benefits of network automation?

Answer 2

• Improved efficiency
• Reduced errors
• Faster provisioning
• Simplified troubleshooting
• Increased consistency

Automation reduces manual tasks, speeds up problem detection, and accelerates configuration adjustments.

Question 3

What is the role of APIs in network automation?

Answer 3

They enable automation between software and network devices.

APIs facilitate integration with automation tools, helping configure and manage devices remotely and without human input.

Question 4

Why is automation important in network security?

Answer 4

It automates policy enforcement and patching.

Automation quickly applies security patches, ensuring devices are up-to-date and reducing the risk of vulnerabilities from manual errors.

Question 5

Define:

network orchestration

Answer 5

Refers to automating coordination between network tasks.

It manages workflows and tasks across multiple network devices, ensuring smooth, automated operations across the network.

Question 6

How does automation help with network monitoring?

Answer 6

It continuously tracks network health and sends alerts.

Automated monitoring tools can detect problems early, track performance, and alert administrators, allowing for proactive issue resolution.

Question 7

True or False:

Automation reduces the complexity of network troubleshooting.

Answer 7

True

Automation detects and resolves issues quickly by continuously monitoring network health and performance, speeding up troubleshooting.

Question 8

Fill in the blank:

In a network automation framework, ______ is used to automate repetitive configuration tasks.

Answer 8

scripts

Scripts, such as Python or Bash, can automate tasks like configuration changes and routine maintenance, reducing the need for manual work.

Question 9

True or False:

Network automation can only be implemented in large-scale networks.

Answer 9

False

Automation can be applied to networks of all sizes, helping small businesses and large enterprises improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Question 10

Describe the impact of network automation on network fault management.

Answer 10

It detects and fixes faults automatically.

Automated systems help identify and resolve network issues quickly, minimizing downtime and speeding up recovery times.

Question 11

How does network automation contribute to reducing operational costs?

Answer 11

It reduces manual tasks and errors.

Automation lowers the need for manual intervention, decreasing labor costs, while also preventing expensive errors and accelerating network changes.

Question 12

Fill in the Blank:

Automation allows for the continuous ______ of network devices.

Answer 12

monitoring

Continuous monitoring identifies performance issues before they affect users, ensuring the network operates efficiently.

Question 13

True or False:

Automation reduces the need for network documentation.

Answer 13

False

Documentation is still necessary to track configurations and ensure transparency across automated workflows and systems.

Question 14

Define:

Zero-touch provisioning

Answer 14

It automatically configures devices with minimal manual input.

Zero-touch provisioning simplifies the deployment of devices, especially in large-scale networks, ensuring faster setup and fewer errors.

Question 15

What is the role of machine learning in network automation?

Answer 15

It helps predict and address network issues proactively.

By learning from network data, machine learning helps automate decisions, improving the network’s ability to adapt to changes and optimize performance.

Question 16

List the types of network management tasks that can be automated using tools like Cisco DNA Center.

Answer 16

• Device provisioning
• Policy enforcement
• Performance monitoring
• Security management

Device provisioning: Automatically setting up network devices with minimal manual configuration.

Policy enforcement: Ensuring network policies are consistently applied across devices.

Performance monitoring: Continuously tracking and reporting on network performance metrics.

Security management: Automating security updates and configurations to protect the network.

Question 17

True or False:

Network automation can only be used for internal network operations.

Answer 17

False

Automation can be applied to both internal and external network operations, including cloud and remote network management.