Network Standardization: The Shortcut to Smarter Automation
Ask any network engineer who’s been around long enough — the easiest networks to automate are the ones built on a solid, consistent design. When every device follows the same rules, automation stops being a risky experiment and turns into a dependable tool. That’s why standardization isn’t just a “best practice” — it’s the foundation automation stands on.
Think of it this way: if your configs and hardware layouts look the same across sites, you can change a routing policy or push a firmware update without worrying about breaking half the network. And when you do need to automate something big, you’re not fighting a mess of one-off configurations from the past decade.
The Building Block Approach
Most vendors will tell you the same thing: use “building block” designs. That means defining exactly what hardware, OS, interfaces, and configs each type of site uses — and sticking to it.
Keep it simple. Maybe two designs for remote offices (old and new), plus small and large site versions. That’s four total — enough for flexibility, but still manageable. Every extra variation means more code branches, more exception handling, and more chances for automation to trip.
Yes, there will be emergencies where you break the standard to meet a sudden requirement. That’s fine — just get it back to standard as soon as you can. Even tiny changes, like using different uplink ports, can make automation harder than it should be.
What Automation Loves About Standardization
Once your network follows a predictable pattern, automation tools can really shine. Here’s where the two work hand-in-hand:
– Inventory tracking — automatically finding devices, spotting unauthorized gear, and flagging missing security patches. Tools like NetBox or SolarWinds are built for this.
– Configuration drift detection — logging every change so you can see exactly what broke something.
– Auditing against templates — comparing live configs to approved “golden” templates and fixing noncompliance.
– OS version control — fewer OS types mean faster patching and fewer bugs.
– Config remediation — updating ACLs, passwords, or routing policies across hundreds of devices in one pass.
– Change management — using Git or database-driven systems (NetBox, Nautobot) for version control and CI/CD-style network updates.
– Security enforcement — applying routing, firewall, and VPN rules consistently, even in hybrid or cloud setups.
– Troubleshooting — when every switch logs to the same place, finding the root cause is quicker.
– Cloud alignment — defining the same policies in AWS, Azure, and GCP with IaC tools like Terraform or OpenTofu.
– AI-assisted automation — letting AI agents work from vendor-neutral instructions to handle requests in plain language.
A Two-Way Street
Automation and standardization feed each other. Standards make automation more reliable; automation keeps standards from drifting. The result? A network that’s easier to manage, safer to update, and ready for whatever’s next — whether that’s AI-driven troubleshooting or zero-touch provisioning at scale.