data models

How encoding and transport of the data-model gives you power and flexibility In the first blog, I attempted to make the point that the declarative approach of using function-specific modules in Ansible is not scalable. In the second blog, I introduced data models into the conversation to help organi…

Keeping your IT infrastructure operational Before I get into data models, I want to take a slight diversion to incorporate some of the feedback that I received from the first blog. It was pointed out that my use of the ios_config module was “naïve.” I contend that it is more accurate to say that my…

Digitization impacts every industry and makes software more predominant than ever. The networking industry is no exception to it. As barriers to entry get much lower than in the past, merely delivering software innovations no longer suffices – it needs to be done with high velocity and quality. More…

The core principle of model-driven telemetry is super simple:  as much usable data out of the network as fast as possible.  The implementation is also pretty subtle:  a push mechanism, data models, open-source encodings.  In fact, it’s all so simple and subtle that some folks look under the hood and…

Telemetry and analytics are all the rage in networking today. The industry is abuzz with the potential unlocked by streaming vast quantities of operational data.  But what’s so special about “model-driven” telemetry? Models enable networking devices to precisely describe their capabilities to the ou…

Co-written with Frederic Trate, Sr. Marketing Manager Let me start by asking you a couple questions: Does your network grow in size and complexity every year? Are you still largely operating your network manually? Do frequent customer complaints make you wonder if you really know what’s going on in…

Back in 2011, web pioneer Marc Andreessen wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, entitled “Why software is eating the world”. I couldn’t agree more! First, let’s have a look at what’s going on in the industry at large. Every company in every vertical industry is facing unprecedented competitive…