Network discovery and mapping company NetBrain has released an automated network troubleshooting tool called the Problem Diagnosis Automation System.
NetBrain has positioned PDAS as a more transparent alternative to AIOps in network management automation. Like AIOps tools, PDAS learns over time but retains more visibility into how the network problem is resolved.
When PDAS encounters a network connection issue, it tries to match the situation to things that have been addressed previously, including the findings of third-party tools like ServiceNow. If it finds a match, it will automatically diagnose the issue and put its findings directly on the IT service management ticket. NetBrain says its approach will resolve up to 95% of all network service tickets, which are likely to be recurring issues and prevent up to 50% of abnormal network conditions that lead to losses.
When a new network issue arises, the PDAS can provide some information about what is not the problem. Then, it will take the steps a network manager takes to resolve the issue to make that resolution repeatable and shareable via the automation template. Templates allow machine behavior to trigger corrections rather than a network manager.
PDAS aggregates all the resolutions entered into the system, which means the product will continue to improve over time as it experiences more network issues. Unlike AIOps tools that learn from problems through AI, PDAS automates new processes from network resolutions made by systems engineers.
NetBrain’s strategy could prove to be its main draw for some businesses, says Shamus McGillicuddy, an analyst at Enterprise Management Associates. Many network managers who have been slow to use automation may feel differently because they do not yet trust AI with critical network functions regarding more transparent network automation such as PDAS.
NetBrain approaches network problems from an intent-based perspective rather than a device-based one, i.e., the company’s products are focused on whether networking goals are reached rather than whether the individual network devices work. In today’s complex networks, devices can fully function as the communications between hardware breaks.
PDAS is likely to see competition from intent-based networking, network modeling and verification, and AIOps vendors such as Veriflow or VMWare’s IP Fabric. But the technology most directly competing with PDAS are homegrown scripts written by engineers to automate recurring problems in their networks.
“This is [NetBrain] automation of the entire process, where [PDAS] takes tickets and reviews tickets and provides a more productive environment for you to build automation, “McGillicuddy said.” I’ve talked to people in the past who say we see the potential of network automation, but it’s not easy to implement – – this is what they make easier to implement. “
McGillicuddy’s research found that 89% of organizations found that it was even relatively important to have a data center networking automation tool with integrated monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities. But most network automation products over the past few years have focused more on configuration than troubleshooting, so NetBrain’s approach may cause interest in some businesses.
PDAS is now available. NetBrain did not release pricing but said the pricing model includes a down payment and a subscription to use.
Madelaine Millar is a news writer covering network technology at TechTarget. He has previously written about science and technology for MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory and the Khoury College of Computer Science, as well as covering community news for Boston Globe Media.