Nokia improves data center network reliability with automation

Nokia Oyj is enhancing the reliability of data center networks through a new configuration process that significantly reduces errors and potential downtime. The company's SR Linux operating system, coupled with its Event-Driven Automation (EDA) platform, transforms network setup and management into a predictable, self-verifying system, according to findings from Nokia Bell Labs Consulting.

The approach addresses the common issue where network uptime is threatened by configuration errors, such as mistyped commands or unvalidated changes, occurring before data even traverses the network. The Bell Labs study indicates that this new methodology can decrease configuration-related failures by up to 95% compared to traditional methods.

Central to Nokia's solution is the use of a digital twin, a replica of the live production environment. This allows engineers to design and validate configurations using the exact same intent inputs as used in production. This practice closes the gap between design and deployment, minimizes configuration drift, and preempts errors before they impact the live network.

Nokia's EDA platform incorporates a built-in dry-run validation that tests proposed changes against the network's modeled intent and current state. If inconsistencies are detected, the deployment stops automatically. This feature directly contributes to reducing configuration-related failure rates and mean-time-to-restore. The study suggests this can lead to a reduction of up to 60% in SLA penalty costs and a decrease in revenue loss due to downtime by as much as 53%.

The SR Linux architecture is modular, allowing for incremental updates without requiring full system reloads. EDA further enhances this with parallel, group-based upgrades. By automating these repetitive tasks, network operators can free up resources for higher-value design and optimization work, while network reliability is improved.