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How NetBrain works


Pretoria, 24 Mar 2017

To help network teams manage the network in its entirety, NetBrain provides an Integrated Network Operating System. Leveraging a Dynamic Network Map as the user interface, NetBrain integrates with several hardware, software, virtualisation, and SDN vendors, to provide end-to-end network visibility, says Mboneni Teledata.

Four phases of NetBrain Automation:

Intelligent discovery - NetBrain discovers the network's topology and underlying design.

A model of the network - NetBrain builds a database of information to model the live network.

End-to-end network visibility - Users can map any part of the network on-demand. This custom map becomes the user interface for network automation.

Adaptable Automation - NetBrain Apps (called Qapps) can be customised to automate any network analysis or diagnosis.

How does NetBrain collect data from the network?

Almost everything NetBrain knows about the network is learned through Telnet or SSH. During the network discovery, NetBrain logs into every device it discovers to issue and analyse many CLI commands. NetBrain uses SNMP to identify the vendor make and model, so it knows the proper CLI syntax to execute. To kick off the discovery, NetBrain only needs the IP address of a core router or switch. It will learn the neighbours of that device via CDP, LLDP, and other protocols. This neighbour-walking discovery is very fast - discovering about 2 000 network devices per hour.

What information does NetBrain collect from the live network?

During the discovery, NetBrain collects information about the network's topology as well as its underlying design - taking into account configuration, routing, MAC/ARP tables, MPLS design, and much more. The discovery provides a baseline of information which NetBrain uses to build its dynamic maps. The information in the maps can be further enriched through live performance monitoring and customised with NetBrain Apps.

How does NetBrain dynamically build a map?

As NetBrain performs the discovery, it creates a complex mathematical model of the network. This model serves as the 'brain' of NetBrain, which is used to build every map. Each icon on a dynamic map is more than a stencil, it is data-driven, with dozens of attributes.

How does NetBrain track changes in the network?

To prevent the network model from becoming obsolete, NetBrain performs a recurring re-discovery - a process known as a Benchmark. This Benchmark can be scheduled on the server at any frequency, and customised to include or exclude various network data.

How does NetBrain support customisation as an open platform?

The data which NetBrain pulls from the live network can be enhanced and customised through a NetBrain App called a Qapp. Qapps support additional logic to generate alarms, annotate the map, or create reports automatically. These Qapps can be built or customised through NetBrain's visual programming environment, without any scripting. To support new network devices and operating systems, NetBrain includes a 'plug-n-play' device driver tool.

How does NetBrain handle data from other NMS sources?

Today, NetBrain retrieves data primarily through telnet and SNMP but also offers SOAP-based Web service API support for inventory data queries and updates through other NMS solutions. Coming soon, NetBrain will support easy integration with other data sources through an extensible set of data adapters (e.g. REST API, SOAP API, JDBC, NETCONF, and more).

How is NetBrain deployed on the network?

NetBrain Enterprise Edition has five components: Customer License Server, Workspace Server, Automation Server, Network Server and the Workstation.

System requirements

This table lists the system specifications and connectivity requirements.

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Editorial contacts

Leon Bezuidenhout
Mboneni Teledata
(012) 386 9000
leon@mboneni.co.za