Elevating NextGen Service Activation with NETCONF/YANG integration
The NETCONF/YANG project, closely linked to NextGen Order Orchestration & Service Activation, aims to research, develop, and implement a NETCONF client and YANG browser within Netadmin. Following this, iteration and implementation of additional features will be undertaken to fully leverage the benefits and possibilities enabled by NETCONF/YANG. Once fully implemented, this initiative will enable next-generation service activation, maintain vendor neutrality, embrace standards-based configuration management, facilitate network-wide configuration, enhance automation, and enable robust passive and active monitoring capabilities, among other benefits.
The landscape of network equipment is evolving, with a clear trend indicating that NETCONF (a protocol for managing network devices) and YANG (a data model language) represent the future of configuration management and operational data acquisition across all networking spaces. Vendors are transitioning away from proprietary Command Line Interfaces (CLIs) and legacy protocols such as SNMP and TR-069 in favor of a well-defined, market-driven, and standards-based solution.
In contrast to legacy protocols, one of the key characteristics of NETCONF is its native support for transaction-based network configuration across multiple devices from different vendors. Transaction-based configuration is crucial for ensuring consistency in network configuration and implementing rollback support in service fulfillment solutions. Additionally, the standardization of data models can greatly simplify configuration management and allow for comprehensive monitoring of the network state at a large scale. During the project, we will explore features that can assist operations in various use cases within service fulfillment, assurance, and migration scenarios.
The project unfolds in three phases:
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Exploration: This phase entails investigating the optimal utilization of NETCONF/YANG within Netadmin. It involves engaging with customers to understand their readiness and experiences with NETCONF, identifying and describing potential use cases for subsequent implementation, and constructing a proof of concept.
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Implementation: Here, the focus shifts to delivering a comprehensive NETCONF client and YANG browser with a full feature set. Additionally, support for NETCONF will be integrated into various components of Netadmin, including provisioning and monitoring functionalities.
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Iteration: This phase involves incorporating the identified use cases from the exploration phase and seamlessly integrating them with our NextGen Service Activation engine.
In summary, our objective is to ensure that we continue to empower network operators to manage their networks according to their preferences, leveraging their chosen equipment in an efficient, modern, and feature-rich manner.
Contact me!
Want to learn more? Contact me:
Mattias Bergsten, Product Evangelist