Network Automation & Iquall Networks

The deployment of automation processes is one of Iquall Networks’ specialties. Its team comprised by experts in networking and their sound knowledge about the development of software solutions for the telecommunications market turn Iquall into a company specialized in network automation. From assessment and training to deployment and support, all services offered by Iquall include sharing know-how with the members of the engineering and operations sectors of the CSP during the network automation process so that they can achieve autonomy.

Our specialized services complemented with MAT – Iquall Networks’ automation tool – aim to optimize and simplify the operation of the network by taking manual and repetitive tasks and turning them info automatic and standardized processes. The purpose of MAT is not only to provide tools specific for operations, but also to provide the operator with a framework for network automation.

Management Automation Tool

MAT is a vendor-agnostic solution based on well-known open software and languages, such as Python and Ansible, which allows to start managing a DEVOPS environment within a framework of legacy devices, but aiming at NFV, SDN, service chaining and network slicing (5G) environments.

MAT Modules

Orchestation

Orchestration module developed by Iquall Networks that provides the operator with controlled APIs for the provisioning and operation of customizable services, using Ansible playbooks.

Manager

Graphical interface for the operation and configuration of the solution. It provides a standard graphical interface that offers authentication (supports single sign-on and LDAP), role-based access control (RBAC), logging and auditing for automated solutions and applications. Furthermore, it allows to execute scripts both manually and automatically (crons).

Monitoring

Iquall Networks can optionally deploy a monitoring architecture based on Nagios, Influx and Grafana.

Inventory

Allows to store inventory information (hardware, topologies, services) in a standard format (YAML/JSON) for its import, export and synchronization.

APPs

Automation applications developed by Iquall Networks and other partners that allow to offer turnkey solutions to be used immediately.

Network Automation APPs

HW inventory

MAT connects to a configurable list of devices to assess parameters that are later reported.

Hardware:

Chassis, routing-engines, line modules, optical modules, network services, version, etc.

Service variables:

Device name, interface, unit, VRF, description of the logical interface, external/internal VLAN, policer or BW, subinterface IP, static routes, routing protocol, etc.

Report of changes

A script is used to take a snapshot of the current status of the devices of the network:

Traffic level per interface
Status of routing protocols adjacencies
Label distribution
Routes learned by each logical interface
Etc.

After the maintenance window, a new snapshot is taken and a report on the changes is generated.

Client/service diagnosis

Python APP that allows to obtain an immediate diagnostic report about the status of the network, which includes:

Interface status
Interface errors
Number of routes towards the client

Static routings
PE/CE protocol status
MAC addresses learned

Related logs
QoS queues status
Connectivity with remote routes

Failure reports

A script is used to take a snapshot of the current status of the devices of the network:

Traffic level per interface
Status of routing protocols adjacencies
Label distribution
Routes learned by each logical interface
Etc.

The results are assessed and a quick and effective diagnosis of the issue and any possible solutions is made

Commits control

Slax APP that allows to conduct commits controls based on the functions of the device:

e.g.: Is PE MPLS? / Is it BNG? / Which are the MPLS backbone?
Controls which hierarchies are or are not mandatory and, therefore, may or may not be modified

Periodical diagnostic checks

▪Python APP that allows to run various types of periodical checks:

Control of change/lack of SFPs
Comparison of interfaces’ optical power values against thresholds
Control of QoS queues drops
Others

Network Automation