Network Automation Catalog

What Can

Map-Driven

Automation

Do For You?

NetBrain Technologies Inc.65 Network DriveBurlington, MA 01803

Toll free: Email: Website:

+1 800 605 7964info@netbraintech.comwww.netbraintech.com

AutomateDocumentation

AutomateTroubleshooting

Automate Network Change

NetBrain’s map-driven automation solution represents a paradigm shift in network management. For the first time, network professionals of all levels can benefit from powerful and adaptive automation technology without any programming requirement. NetBrain automation has been used in hundreds of the world’s largest enterprise networks for documentation, troubleshooting, and network changes.

NetBrain is headquartered near Boston, Massachusetts.

What Can

Map-Driven Automation

Do For You?

Sample Customers

Table of C

ontents

Contents

Automate Documentation

Understand a Complex Network

Automate Diagramming

Automate Inventory Reports

Automate Design Documents

Automate Troubleshooting

Troubleshoot Slow Applications

Troubleshoot Unstable Networks

Troubleshoot Multicasting

Diagnose Interface Issues

Defend a Network from Malicious Attacks

Diagnose VoIP Call Quality

Automate Network Changes

Safe Data Center Migrations

A Map-Driven Change Management Process

Deep Application Flow Analysis

Analyze Application Traffic at the Port Level

Analyze Traffic Flow across MPLS Technology

Policy-Based Routing and Load Balancing

Network Automation with Qapp

Customized Map-Driven Automation

Writing a Custom Qapp

NetBrain Deployment Architecture

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Automate Documentation

Accurate documentation is critical for network management but creating and maintaining it is manual and labor-intensive. NetBrain can help by creating detail-rich diagrams, inventory reports, and design documents automatically.

Discover the Live Network Instantly

Starting with a single device, NetBrain’s

unique neighbor-walking algorithm gathers

topology and design data from the

network, hop-by-hop.

Create Documentation Dynamically

NetBrain can create data-driven diagrams,

customized inventory reports, and rich

design documents instantly.

Update Documentation Automatically

NetBrain performs routine benchmark

updates to ensure the network

documentation is always accurate and

reliable.

Say Goodbye to Manual Network Documentation

How Automated Documentation Works:

Autom

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Understand a Complex NetworkAutomatically organize and quickly search very large networks

After a deep network discovery, NetBrain organizes devices into sites and offers a way to quickly index the network with visual search.

Network Overview

Following a comprehensive network

discovery, NetBrain organizes the

network into sites and displays them

with a hierarchal view.

Visualize Site Relationships

To visualize network topology and

connectivity through the WAN,

NetBrain provides a topology view

of the network.

Visual Search

Visual Search enables users to

quickly find any information about

their network and map out the

results instantly.

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Automate Diagramming

With manually created network diagrams, it’s challenging to keep up with the constant changes of enterprise networks. A dynamic network mapping solution will relieve the burden.

Customized Details

NetBrain solves the problem

of cluttered diagrams by

allowing layers of data to be

turned on dynamically. For

example, routing protocol can

be annotated with one-click.

On-Demand Mapping

Instead of sorting through

hundreds of static diagrams,

customized maps can be

built on-demand. For

example, map an application

flow by inputting a source

and destination device.

One-Click Export to Visio

Any NetBrain diagram can be

exported to Visio format with

a single click.

Highlight Routing Protocol

Map Application Path

Export Diagrams to Visio

Instantly create data-rich network diagrams

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Automate Inventory ReportsKnow everything about the network, anytime.

Information about enterprise networks is often scattered throughout multiple sources. Making sense of network inventory is no small task.

Access to a complete network inventory is always a click away. To customize more

specific reports, users can create reports based on sites, device types, device groups,

and more.

Automatically Add Device Attributes

With NetBrain procedures, users

can customize device attributes

with data collected from the live

network to create customized

reports. For example, collect the

serial number of every network

module.

Export Reports

Any report can be exported with

one-click to either Microsoft Excel

or CSV format.

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Automate Design Documents

It takes a long time to create network documentation manually. NetBrain can automate design documents, with detailed network data, instantly.

Automate Design Documents

NetBrain Qmaps are chock full of

network design and configuration

data. This data can be exported to

a Word document for use in design

reviews, network assessments,

compliance, and more.

Automate Network Change Documents

Illustrating proposed network changes is challenging. NetBrain’s change management

process includes an automated documentation feature that lets engineers document

proposed changes with one-click.

Define Documentation Parameters

One-Click Documentaton

Create complete network design documents in Word format in seconds

Autom

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Automate Troubleshooting

NetBrain offers a new approach to troubleshooting. Inside a visual environment, users can instantly map problem areas, probe performance hotspots, analyze historical network changes, and drill-down the root cause with customized automation.

Analyze What’s Changed

To understand what’s wrong,

NetBrain helps you understand

what’s changed. Config files, route

tables, and CLI output can be

compared to a historic baseline.

Digitize Troubleshooting Experience

NetBrain's Qapp technology replaces

in-house scripting with customized

mini-apps. Engineers can define

troubleshooting diagnoses with a Qapp to

save time during troubleshooting.

Use a Map to Analyze Performance Issues

Performance bottlenecks, flapping interfaces, and device health statistics are displayed

in real-time on the map.

Accelerate Troubleshooting in a Visual Environment

Analyze Performance from the Map

Accelerate Troubleshooting in a Visual Environment

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Troubleshoot Slow ApplicationsAutomatically detect dozens of possible causes of slow applications

When an application is running slowly, the network is guilty until proven innocent. NetBrain automation can help to diagnose the source of the problem in minutes instead of hours.

Instantly Map the Application Path

NetBrain’s path mapping engine helps engineers map the problem area instantly.

Visualize Performance Bottlenecks

Performance bottlenecks, flapping

interfaces, and utilization statistics are

displayed directly on the map.

Measurements over threshold are

highlighted in red.

Automate Drill-Down Diagnosis

NetBrain comes installed with hundreds

of Qapps, which can automatically

detect issues like speed/duplex

mismatches and flapping interfaces.

Even more powerful, is that users can

write their own diagnosis logic.

Map the Application Path in Seconds

Memory Over-Utilized

Example: Detected Duplex Mismatch

Autom

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Troubleshoot Unstable Networks

Finding the source of an unstable network is hit or miss. NetBrain can help capture transient problems in real-time.

Automatically capture transient problems and flapping routes

Plot Performance Data over Time

For more transient issues, data can be collected over time and graphed to display trends

and spikes. This data is stored directly inside a single Qmap file.

Analyze Unstable Routing Issues

NetBrain automatically collects and analyzes

route tables for every device. By sorting the

route table by age, flapping routes will appear

at the top.

Visualize Flapping Interfaces

NetBrain’s HeatMap view will

display unstable devices or ports

in yellow, alongside performance

measurements.

HeatMap View of Layer-2 Map

Plot Bandwidth Utilization over Time

Sort Route Tables

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Troubleshoot MulticastingAutomatically analyze multicasting design and performance

With the increasing demand for video conferencing and omnipresent financial data, multicast troubleshooting is a high priority. NetBrain can help visualize multicasting design and performance issues to accelerate troubleshooting.

Highlight Multicasting Design

Each link in the map can be annotated

to reflect the multicasting mode

configured on it.

Automate RPF Checks

Verify multicast operation by visualizing

Reverse Path Forwarding on the map.

Instantly Map a Dynamic Distribution Tree

NetBrain can instantly map multicasting distribution trees (source trees and shared trees).

By leveraging benchmark data, the historic distribution tree can be compared against the

present tree.

Map Changes in Multicast Source Tree

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Diagnose Interface Issues

Large networks can have thousands of interfaces, each with dozens of operational parameters. Diagnosing these interface issues can be daunting. NetBrain can automatically detect interface errors and configuration discrepancies.

Automatically detect interface errors and discrepancies

Automatically Detect Hundreds of Possible Interface Errors

NetBrain puts the power of automation in the user’s hands. For the first time,

customizable automation doesn’t require scripting experience. Writing a Qapp

to detect CRC errors or MTU mismatches takes just minutes.

Isolate Faulty Hardware

Uncovering a bad cable or

module can take hours using

the command line, one

interface at a time. NetBrain’s

HeatMap can highlight

interface errors directly on

the map.

See Interface Errors on the Map

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Defend a Network from Malicious AttacksDiscover an offending machine and deploy defensive measures

Denial-of-service attacks and viruses often make the network unstable. It’s difficult to isolate the impacted network segments and apply defensive measures quickly. NetBrain automation can help.

Map the Attack Path

With NetFlow, NetBrain can identify

top-talkers which may be generating

malicious traffic. Then the attack path

can be mapped to identify affected

hosts.

Visualize the Performance Impact

With performance monitoring,

over-utilized devices will appear in red

to help analyze the impact of the

malicious traffic.

Automatically Deploy Defensive Config

NetBrain can help deploy defensive

configuration, like access-lists, across

many devices at once, with a single

click.

Diagnose VoIP Call Quality

Troubleshooting VoIP requires years of on-the-job training because complex QoS needs to be enabled across the LAN or WAN. NetBrain can help diagnose and analyze VoIP to accelerate troubleshooting.

Automatically measure VoIP performance and instantly analyze VoIP design

2. Measure Advanced Performance Parameters

Real-time packet drop, delay, and jitter can be collected for VoIP readiness analysis or

voice quality troubleshooting.

3. Customize a Qapp for Advanced VoIP Issues

With customizable automation, a Qapp can be written to calculate the MOS score to

effectively measure the voice quality.

1. Map VoIP Traffic Path

The IP SLA Toolkit can be used to emulate VoIP traffic across a live network.

Emulated IP SLA Traffic

Measure Delay, Jitter and Packet Loss

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Automate Network Changes

Network changes are prone to human-error. An automated approach can streamline the change process and ensure safe network changes.

Deploy Changes with One-Click

Users can quickly define a configuration

template and then automatically deploy

changes to many devices at once.

• Identify impacted devices

• Define configuration template

• Deploy changes with one-click

Analyze Change Impact Instantly

To validate network changes, advanced

comparative analysis can analyze config

files, route tables, and more.

• Benchmark network before change

• Benchmark network after change

• Execute comparative analysis

Document the Results Automatically

The change process is wrapped up inside a

single Qchange file. It can be exported to a

Word document with one click.

• Share Qchange file

• Export Change document

Reduce Human Error in Network Changes

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Safe Data Center MigrationsAutomate network changes and post-change testing

NetBrain’s Change Management module makes network changes more efficient and less risky with one-click config deployment and automated verification.

One-Click Config Deployment

With a single click, configuration

changes can be rolled out to every

impacted device.

Automate Verification & Testing

NetBrain can automate the testing of reachability, routing, configuration and more.

NetBrain’s discovery engine can instantly map out a data center to help quickly identify

impacted devices.

Discover & Document a Data Center

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A Map-Driven Change Management Process

Successful network changes require multiple groups to work together. A map-driven approach can facilitate communications and enhance collaboration.

1. Design

During the design phase, proposed

changes can be documented inside a

Qmap to describe impacted devices,

and the scope of changes.

2. Review

Using the free Qmap Reader, a design

reviewer can open a single Qmap file

with the proposed changes outlined

inside.

3. Implementation

Once approved, the implementation

team can leverage a Qmap to

automatically deploy the network

changes, directly from the map.

4. Operations

After changes are implemented, the

impact of changes can be instantly

analyzed using advanced historical

analysis.

Qmap as a Collaboration Media

Result: Accurate data for each phase of the change process

Enable efficient collaboration between IT divisions

Deep

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Deep Application Flow Analysis

NetBrain provides the industry's deepest application flow analysis. Given the source and destination addresses of an application, NetBrain can map out both live and historical paths with all dependencies illustrated on the map. Technologies supported include routing, switching, NAT, ACL, MPLS, PBR, etc.

Map between Two Endpoints

NetBrain provides deep visualization into the traffic flow by analyzing traffic forwarding

decisions at each hop, covering technologies from Layer-1 through layer-7.

Extend Path Analysis Logic

Engineers can modify and enhance

NetBrain's built-in path analysis - via a

visual programming environment - to

cover new network technologies.

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Analyze Application Traffic at the Port Level

For modern networks, it's not enough to analyze application traffic at the IP level, because technologies like ACL, QoS, or NAT impact the flow. For example, a server may be accessible via a web browser (port 80/443) but telnet traffic (port 23) to the server might be denied.

Analyze Access-lists

NetBrain can analyze access-lists along the path and provide port-level traffic analysis

of access-list traffic filtering.

Decode NAT Translations

NetBrain can decode NAT translations along the path and properly group traffic paths

in the forward and return direction.

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Analyze Traffic Flow across MPLS Technology

Modern service provider networks often include MPLS at their core. Using NetBrain, traffic flow across both single and multiple MPLS domains can be analyzed side-by-side with traditional routing and switching technologies. Engineers no longer need to dive into IP, MAC, and MPLS tables manually.

Traffic Path across VRF Lite

NetBrain calculates the path across MPLS Lite based on LFIB (Label Forwarding

Information Base) and maps between CE and PE devices

Traffic Path across MPLS Cloud

Enterprise networks often use MPLS clouds (MPLS forwarding provided by the service

provider). NetBrain supports end-to-end traffic path discovery across the cloud.

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Policy-Based Routing and Load Balancing

In addition to dynamic routing, some networks may leverage PBR (policy-based routing) to route application traffic based on additional metrics. NetBrain understands PBR logic and can map the path across PBR-enable network hops.

Policy-Based Routing (PBR)

NetBrain will automatically display traffic

forwarding which is impacted by PBR if any

configured route-maps are detected.

Load Balancing & Address Translation

In server load balancing setup, a Virtual IP is provided as the target for inbound traffic.

A load balancer will dynamically route traffic to one of the real servers based on

pre-defined criteria. NetBrain can decode this logic visually.

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Network Automation with QappAutomation Beyond Scripting

Designed to replace in-house scripts, NetBrain's Qapp technology makes it possible to customize the automation of any network analysis task. A Qapp is much easier to write than a script - and far more powerful.

No Scripting Required

Only select few engineers know how to

run a custom script, let alone write one.

Writing a Qapp is much easier.

Visual Programming

NetBrain's visual programming

environment leverages an intuitive

syntax. Anyone comfortable with the

command-line interface can write a

Qapp in as little as 5 minutes.

Run a Qapp

A Qapp doesn't output data to a batch

prompt like most scripts - it outputs

data to the map so its easy to interpret

and visually accessible. All data is

saved to the Qmap automatically.

Sample Qapp Logic

Sample Qapp - Output to the Map

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Customized Map-Driven Automation

Designed to combine the flexibility of scripting with the power and usability of an enterprise-grade software solution, a NetBrain Qapp is as easy to run as an app on a smartphone.

Run Qapp from NetBrain UI

After writing a custom Qapp, you can

quickly add it to the NetBrain user

interface - ready for any engineer to run.

NetBrain already includes dozens of

Qapps 'out of the box'.

Data Collection Over Time

Its easy to program a Qapp to run at any

frequency. NetBrain will automatically

collect and chart any type of data you're

looking for.

Automated Data Analysis

If any data point exceeds a

pre-defined threshold, NetBrain can

automatically generate an alert and

send an email.

Select Qapp

Example Qapp Output

Example Qapp Data

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Writing a Custom Qapp

There's no complex syntax or steep learning curve for writing a Qapp. After just 15 minutes, of training engineers are usually ready to write their first Qapp. There are three main steps:

Define Qapp Variables

Define Alert Thresholds

Define Data Positions

Step 1:Define Variables of Interest

A sample of CLI command data is used to

identify variables which indicate fields of

interest. For example, an interface diagnosis

Qapp may use 'show interface'.

Step 2:Define Analysis Threshold

To raise an alarm, users can indicate a

threshold condition and associated warning

message which is raised if a variable

exceeds the threshold.

Step 3:Define Data Positions on Map

A Qapp uses the map to display the

desiered device and interface data. The

positions of the data on the map are easily

defined during Qapp definition.

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NetBrain Deployment ArchitectureScalable for the world’s largest networks

NetBrain’s architecture supports horizontal scalability. For large networks, an array of servers can work together to provide the computational power required.

NetBrain WorkstationMain NetBrain user interface

Network ServerCollects and stores data from the live network

License ServerManages workspaces and licenses

Workspace ServerManages all data for shared workspaces

Deployment Diagram

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