The Everything Feed - All Packet Pushers Pods HN780: The Whys and Hows of Automated Network Testing
May 9, 2025
This week features Dan Wade, Network Automation Practice Lead at Blue Ally and co-author of a Cisco Press book on network automation. He dives deep into the importance of automated network testing, covering various testing types like unit and integration tests. Dan shares insights on YANG data models and their impact on network management, alongside discussing protocols like NETCONF and RESTCONF. The conversation also highlights the significance of continuous auditing in improving network reliability and operational assurance. A must-listen for tech enthusiasts!
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Begin Network Automation With Testing
- Start network automation with testing to minimize risk and learn about your network safely.
- Testing gathers data from the network without pushing risky changes.
Unit Testing Means Single Device
- Unit testing in networking focuses on single-device localized checks like interfaces or routing tables.
- It contrasts software where a unit test targets functions; here, it's the network device itself.
Integration Testing Connects Devices
- Integration testing validates multiple devices working together to ensure configurations like routing policies align.
- It provides a holistic view beyond single-device unit tests.