Cisco boosts network automation offering with new software solutions

Cisco

Cisco has launched a new range of network automation products aimed at delivering greater network visibility, data insights and control for operators.

The vendor said the Cisco Crosswork Network Automation software range can help operators respond better to dynamic changes in their network, as well as security threats.

Like many other automation products, it offers a single point of integration, machine learning, open APIs and automated actions. Cisco is also offering planning, customisation and implementation of the new services.

Among the new solutions are an automated operations application that enables closed loop control, sensors and alerts to track the health of a network, data analytics, a network insights platform, and a situation manager to deal with any repair issues quickly.

Cisco said the software supplements its existing Network Services Orchestrator solution. It claimed this means it can offer the widest closed-loop, multi-vendor and multi-domain automation solutions.

It said the new software range would solve common issues such as human error, difficulties in analysing siloed data, a simpler interface, and real-time analysis of network performance.

[Read more: Operator turns vendor as Elisa offers new SON solution to rivals]

Backing the new solution, David Robertson, Director, Network Transport & Routing Engineering, Telstra, said: “As we remain focused on building Australia’s leading network of the future, we are committed to delivering superior quality networked experiences to our customers.

“We are equally focused on anticipating the challenges and opportunities that affect our business goals.

“Our work with Cisco to reinvent our network operations through orchestration, automation and advanced data models offers us valuable insight for mass data collection, applying analytics and machine learning, and taking decisive action through automation.”

Jonathan Davidson, SVP and GM, Service Provider Networking, Cisco, added: “Our primary goal for network automation is to help our customers turn growing pains into growing profit, and streamline operations so they can spend less time on tactical ‘firefighting’ and more time on identifying and trialling new revenue streams.”