Understanding the Goals of Network Automation

The primary objective of network automation is to enhance operational efficiency rather than merely deploying technology for its own sake. Four key benefits of network automation are emphasized: increased scale, where configurations can be applied to more devices at once; managing complexity, particularly for intricate setups like EVPN or VXLAN; frequency, allowing for quicker changes rather than waiting weeks; and improved accuracy, reducing errors from human intervention. The discussions also highlight the importance of creating templates that minimize the risk of mistakes, addressing the common issue of manual configurations leading to errors. Ultimately, effective network automation aims to make the lives of network engineers easier while ensuring reliability.