NetOps, or network operations, is a network management strategy for automating and optimizing processes across nearly any network type in an organization. Learn more about NetOps, how it works, and its benefits in this definition.
What Is NetOps?
NetOps relies on a single team for planning, deploying, securing, and updating enterprise networking hardware and software. This approach increases opportunities for optimization and collaboration and reduces siloes, as the team is able to look at the network holistically rather than in individual parts.
Moreover, NetOps adapts agile methodologies to its processes. The application of agile supports more efficient automation for security and performance monitoring, updates and patching, and data collection and management for the network.
Portions of this definition originally appeared on Enterprise Networking Planet and are excerpted here with permission.
What Are the Benefits of NetOps?
Successful NetOps implementation can lead to benefits such as:
Network agility
NetOps approaches often lead to higher levels of network agility, which makes it possible to implement continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices to quickly deliver and pivot as enterprise priorities change.
Less user error
Automating network operations eases task management requirements and reduces the risk of human error.
Optimized network infrastructure
NetOps allows users to better understand current network infrastructure and how it’s being used. It also encourages ongoing improvements that often lead to more efficient usage of existing network resources.
Preventative network care
NetOps can improve the overall health of the network via automation, orchestration, and provisioning. These network optimization opportunities offer visibility into network problems before they impact any processes or tools.
Cultural shift for tech team
NetOps encourages tech teams to think and work collaboratively. With this methodology in focus, teams can move away from siloed project management and begin optimizing process alignment and collaborative projects.
How Is NetOps Different from DevOps and SecOps?
Similar to NetOps, DevOps (development and operations) and SecOps (security and operations) methodologies encourage collaboration and automation to optimize processes. The greatest difference among NetOps, DevOps, and SecOps is their scope of work.
NetOps specializes in automating network management tasks to improve routine maintenance and optimize hardware and software specifications. And while SecOps also manages some aspects of the network, it primarily focuses on security processes like troubleshooting and assessing risk across different users and devices.
DevOps takes a step away from the network by focusing primarily on automating application and development projects and processes. This wider project scope means DevOps changes can be more difficult than changes made in a NetOps approach.
Read next: An Executive’s Guide to Integrating SecOps and NetOps
