Intent-Based Networking (IBN) is a concept that promises to revolutionize the process of designing, deploying, and managing networks. By defining an intent, or expected outcome, the technology enables network administrators to focus on business outcomes rather than configuring hardware and software. It offers a level of assurance that the end result will be aligned with organizational objectives.
Essentially, IBN translates a company’s strategic business goals into concrete guidelines for network operation. It provides the flexibility to automatically adapt to changing conditions and allows for cross-domain and end-to-end control. As a result, companies can save time and money on network operations.
The core of IBN is policy-based automation. By applying intent-based policies as part of a network-wide solution, organizations can create, configure, and enforce rules and behaviors across the entire network infrastructure. This includes both physical and virtual components.
These policies can be based on user-defined intent, which is then translated into machine-readable language for the network to act on. IBN leverages analytics and machine learning to monitor the network constantly, continually verifying that the desired intent has been applied and that the associated business objectives are being met.
Cisco is a true leader in the IBN space. Companies looking to get started with IBN should begin by prioritizing high-value use cases that can quickly deliver tangible business outcomes. Next, they should work with an experienced network consulting partner to identify and evaluate the right technology and vendor for their particular needs.
Overall, IBN offers tremendous potential for organizations, enabling them to maximize agility and efficiency across the network. By utilizing the power of intent-based machine intelligence, the technology promises to usher in a new era of smarter networking.
