“In the world of network automation, tool categories are emerging that solve very specific problems around network automation, such as task orchestration, configuration management, data management (e.g., network sources of truth), and network validation (network modeling and digital twins),” the EMA report states.
BackBox built NCM into its automation platform, enabling:
- Improved network configuration performance and scalability
- API-first driven integration
- Automated tasks without scripting
- Broad multivendor support, including firewalls and other security devices
- BackBox backups, OS updates, compliance, and network vulnerability management
The updated automation platform now also includes integration with ServiceNow, which will improve device discovery because the BackBox Automation Platform can directly connect to the ServiceNow configuration management database (CMDB) to import devices. Another integration win, according to the company, is that network operators will now be able to automate trouble-ticketing with the ability to open and close tickets, populate technical details into a ticket, and streamline problem investigation.
The BackBox Network Automation Platform is a virtual appliance that can either be run on-premises or in a data center or delivered by BackBox via a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model. The software supports network and security devices from more than 180 vendors, using an API-first approach for integrating with other applications in the network operations center. The platform ships with 3,000 automations out of the box, which can be tailored to specific customer environments.
