Establishing a Source of Truth in Network Management

This chapter explores the critical role of a reliable 'source of truth' for network management data, underlining the importance of effective data structures for device inventory and configuration. It discusses the challenges of standardizing data models, including the discrepancies caused by vendor-specific solutions and the implications for enterprises. The chapter also proposes an abstraction layer to improve communication and innovation, while advocating for a transition towards more programmatic approaches in networking.