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NetBrain Technologies
15 Network Drive
Burlington, MA 01803
+1 800.605.7964
www.netbraintech.com
What’s New in NetBrain 7.0
Innovations in Adaptive Network Automation
2 | NetBrain® Webcast
What’s New in NetBrain 7.0
Dynamic Map1
Executable Runbook2
Rich API Framework3
New System Architecture5
o More powerful data visualization and improvements for collaboration
System Specifications6
o More flexible workflow automation for guiding engineers with best practices
o New RESTful API framework for integrating NetBrain with existing workflows
o Improved performance, scalability, and failover redundancy
o Performance benchmarks and server specs
NetBrain 7.0 is a milestone release, designed to integrate with existing network management workflows. This release introduces powerful enhancements to core technologies like Dynamic Map and Executable Runbook while introducing a rich API framework, a new thin client user interface, a more scalable and redundant system architecture, and much more.
Thin Client User Interface4 o Enhanced user experience through a redesigned web browser interface
NetBrain OverviewAdaptive Network Automation
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Adaptive Network Automation
Dynamic Map: Visualize any network data
Rich API Framework:Integrate with existing IT workflows
Executable Runbook: Automate any network task
VisualizeVisualize
Integrate
Automate
NetBrain’s Adaptive Network Automation platform integrates with existing IT workflows to improve network visibility and streamline network management. Engineers use a Dynamic Map as a single pane of glass and Executable Runbooks to automate network management.
Hybrid Network(Physical, Virtual & SDN)
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Enhance Existing Workflows
Network Documentation80% of network teams struggle to maintain up-to-date network diagrams. How can automation eliminate the need to manually create and update network documentation?
Network Troubleshooting & EscalationNetwork troubleshooting is a manual process – from data collection and analysis to the sharing of knowledge and best practices. How can automation streamline network diagnoses and escalation?
Design Engineering & Change ManagementNetwork changes are prone to human-error. How can automation streamline the change management process and ensure safer network changes?
Cyber-Security & DefenseNetwork security requires both proactive network hardening as well as quick response to detected threats. How can automation enhance both proactive and reactive security workflows?
Application Performance ManagementWhen there’s a slow application, the network is guilty until proven innocent. How can Network, Security, and Application teams get on the same page, and resolve performance issues faster?
There are five common IT workflows, each requiring a degree of collaboration and knowledge sharing. We’ll review these workflows to identify inefficiencies and explore opportunities to enhance each by applying automation and enhancing collaboration.
Dynamic MapVisualize any network data
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Dynamic Map: End-to-End Network Visibility
Time to create Hours Seconds
Degree of detail One layer Infinite
Update method Manual Automated
Triggered via API No Yes
Track User Activity No Yes
Dynamic MapsStatic Diagrams
Learn More about Dynamic Map
With NetBrain, a Dynamic Map is the user interface for network management, providing end-to-end network visibility. A Dynamic Map provides several benefits over traditional ‘static’ network diagrams:
Static Diagram
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Dynamic Map: What’s New in 7.0
Data View: Infinite layers of network data
Data View is a new feature which provides a way to dynamically turn on and off layers of information on a Dynamic Map. Data Views are flexible and customizable, for visualization of any network data.
Dynamic Dashboard: Flexible data visualization
Dynamic Dashboard is a new feature which enables flexible visualization of configuration files, data tables, performance statistics, and other data in a widget-driven dashboard view.
Activity Manager: Activity and data tracking for collaboration
Activity Manager is a new feature which helps engineers track user activity and easily share data. Any data captured via Runbook, Qapp execution, or CLI automation is logged in Activity Manager.
A/B Path Enhancements: Visualization for any application flow
NetBrain’s A/B Path Calculator emulates the real packet forwarding process to analyze network protocols along any path. In NetBrain 7.0 the A/B calculator is more powerful than ever.
Search Improvements: Instant access to any network data
Visual Search has been enhanced to help engineers quickly find and visualize important data points and take quick actions such as viewing configurations, mapping, and running dashboards.
IPv6 & Topology Enhancements: Flexible mapping and visualization
NetBrain 7.0 introduces a new topology framework which supports IPv6 and a variety of topology types such as BGP, VxLAN, and more.
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D
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F
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Data View
Data View is a new feature which provides a way to dynamically turn on and off layers of information on a Dynamic Map. Data Views represent detailed design data (e.g. BGP Design) or diagnostic data (e.g. Queue Congestion). Data Views are completely customizable and can be enhanced with data from 3rd party NMS solutions via API integration.
Data View Enabled
Default Data View
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Data View (Continued)
The Data View Pane represents layers of data which can be dynamically displayed and hidden. Data Views can be created and customized using Runbook, Instant Qapp, or via 3rd party NMS integration.
How Data Views are displayed：
o Data Views are automatically generated by running activities which collect network data (e.g. Qapp, Instant Qapp, Runbook)
o Data Views will be shown in the list if they are relevant for devices on the current map.
o The five most recent Data Views (generated by running activities) will be added into the list.
Data View Templates
o When you run multiple Data View templates or Qapps at one time on a map, multiple data views will be generated and added to the list.
o Data View templates will be recommended, by matching the device types on the map with those in existing templates.
o By clicking Refresh, both the Data Views and the templates will be refreshed.
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Dynamic Dashboard
Dynamic Dashboard is a new feature which enables flexible visualization of configuration files, data tables, performance statistics, and other data in a single dashboard view. Dynamic Dashboard is highly customizable and interactive, integrating real-time data, tables, and charts.
Key Advantages:
o Multi-dimensional data display
o Easy to create
o Convenient customization
o Flexible layout
o Dozens of templates and widgets
o Mapo Line charto Event charto Tableo Configleto Design readero Device properties
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Dynamic Dashboard: Create from a Map
Engineers can create a dashboard from an existing Dynamic Map to visualize data in flexible formats:
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2 3
Create Dashboard
Add Widgets Customize Layout
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Activity Manager
The new Activity Manager helps engineers track user activity and easily share data. Any data captured via Runbook, Qapp execution, or CLI automation is logged to the system with a date and time stamp for playback in the future. Engineers can quickly access any saved data through Activity Manager.
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Improvements to A/B Path
NetBrain’s A/B Path Calculator emulates the real packet forwarding process to analyze network protocols layer-by-layer, and hop-by-hop. The analysis result is combined with topology data to map the communication path between any two end points, displaying the relevant configurations of each device along the path.
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Improvements to A/B Path: Advanced Protocol Analysis
NetBrain’s A/B calculator performs a comprehensive analysis at every hop of the path, factoring advanced technologies like policy-based routing, NAT, access-lists, and much more. Users can configure path settings to look at layer-3 (logical) or layer-2 (physical) design. Users can also choose to run the path on the live network, or on a historical data set.
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Improvements to A/B Path: Review Path Results
The path calculation result displays protocol-specific details along every hop on the path. For example, if a router in the path is configured with NAT, policy-based routing, access-lists, etc. then the path result will indicate the specific configuration data. Users can access the data dynamically:
o Click a device icon to view its logs in the right pane.
o Click a device icon on the path result pane to center the device on the map page with a tip dialog.
o For load balancing, click the load balance icon to switch between load balance paths.
There are two ways to open the path result pane:
o From a map, select the path and then click View Details.
o From the Saved Path pane, you can click a history path entry.
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Improvements to A/B Path: Save and Review Paths
Common paths can be saved in the new Path pane for quick access. From within the Path pane, users can access saved path data, re-recalculate the path with live network data, and export/import paths in CSV format.
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Improvements to Visual Search
The following search methods are now available:
o Default Search – Returns the most relevant results with high accuracy and speed
o Extended Search – Provides more diverse search scope and returns extended matching results
o Semantic Search – Search for a specific device, interface, or site
o Advanced Search – Quickly map a group of devices or interfaces matching a defined set of criteria.
Visual Search can be used to search for:
o Devices
o Maps
o Sites and Devices Groups
o Dashboards
Visual Search has been enhanced to help engineers quickly find and visualize important data points. Search results provide quick access to operations such as viewing device configurations, mapping devices, running dashboards, etc.
o Paths
o Network Segments
o Unknown End Systems
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Simplified Topology with IPv6 Support
Layer-3 (logical) and Layer-2 (physical) topologies are now combined in a simplified Dynamic Map view. NetBrain 7.0 introduces a new topology framework which supports IPv6 and a variety of topology types such as BGP, VxLAN, IP Sec and so on. Users can extend device neighbors based on these technologies.
IPv4 L3 Topology
IPv4 L2 Topology
IPv6 Topology
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Use Cases for Dynamic Map
Map 100 Branch Offices in MinutesAutomatically discover, map, and organize hundreds of sites into a single drillable map
Document Network DesignVisualize virtually infinite design detail with Data View
Visualize a Denial-of-Service AttackVisualize the path from a malicious host to a targeted server
Map a Slow Application End-to-EndVisualize the flow of application traffic, and any performance issues on the path
Executable RunbookAutomate any network task
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Executable Runbook: Automate Network Management
Digitize Knowledge No Yes
Track Results No Yes
Executable Yes Yes
Triggered via API No Yes
Community-backed No Yes
Executable RunbooksStatic Playbooks
Many organizations use playbooks to capture IT knowledge and guide best practices. NetBrain’s Executable Runbook technology enables teams to digitize knowledge, making it executable and repeatable. Each runbook represents an automated workflow which can be customized without scripting.
Learn More about Executable RunbookStatic Playbook
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Customize Runbook Automation without Scripting
Add runbook node
1
Choose node type
2 3
Build advanced automation with visual programming
Tribal leaders can digitize their knowledge by creating runbooks workflows. Runbooks can be customized to automate any data analysis without scripts. Runbook nodes can be used for basic data collection (CLI command, ping, traceroute) or for advanced data analysis, via Qapp. Simple Qapps can be built with NetBrain’s Instant Qapp and more advanced Qapps can be built using NetBrain’s visual programming environment.
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Improvements to Instant Qapp
Instant Qapp was introduced in NetBrain 6.2 as a way to automate CLI commands so engineers can spend less time manually collecting data. Users can drag/drop/overlay any CLI data onto the map:
1. Search any CLI data
2. Drag/drop a data type to the map
3. NetBrain will perform CLI automation:
a. Log into each device on the map,
b. Issue the relevant CLI command
c. Extract the relevant CLI output
d. Overlay the data on the map
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Instant Qapp: Save as Qapp
After selecting data to view on the map with Instant Qapp, users can choose to save the task as a Qapp. Once the Qapp has been saved, it can be added as a node to enhance any runbook workflow.
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Improvements to Instant Qapp: View 3rd Party Data
In NetBrain 7.0, NetBrain can integrate with external data sources (e.g. monitoring systems, ticketing systems, etc.) to overlay virtually any 3rd party IT data on a Dynamic Map. Instant Qapp can be used to search any 3rd party data and visualize it on the map.
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Use Cases for Executable Runbook
Troubleshoot Complex TechnologiesDomain experts can digitize best practices for troubleshooting technologies like QoS
Isolate Intermittent IssuesA monitoring system can trigger a runbook analysis automatically
Validate a Network DesignImplementation teams can minimize the chance of an outage due to misconfiguration
Automate Security ChecklistsSecurity teams can validate compliance against a ‘golden’ template
Rich API FrameworkIntegrate with any workflow
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Rich API Framework
In Version 7.0, NetBrain introduces a rich API framework to integrate with 3rd party IT management systems through RESTful APIs to read (Get) and write (Set).
NetBrain
Northbound API
Southbound API
Ticketing CMDBMonitoring Logging
Ticketing CMDBMonitoring Logging
Category Sub Category
System BasicLogin to Domain, Logout
Add/Remove User accounts
CMDB/Inventory
Add/Remove Device
On-demand/Schedule Discover
Add/Get/Set Device Attributes
More…
Advanced Functions Discover A/B Path
More…
Three Use Cases for Rich API Framework
1. Dynamic Map as a “Single Pane of Glass”
2. API-Triggered Network Diagnosis
3. NetBrain as a “Single Source of Truth”
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Rich API Framework: Map as a Single Pane of Glass
By integrating NetBrain with different Network Management data sources, a Dynamic Map becomes the single pane of glass for all data correlation and analysis. Whether it’s visualizing maintenance information or the status of open tickets, virtually any third-party data can be visualized on a Dynamic Map.
Data View showing OpenView data on a Dynamic Map
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Rich API Framework: Event-Triggered Diagnosis
An event from a third-party system (e.g. 24x7 monitoring or IDS) can trigger NetBrain into action. Through an API-triggered diagnosis, NetBrain provides visibility (via Dynamic Map) and analytics (via Executable Runbook) into real-time data, while an event is happening.
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Rich API Framework: NetBrain as the Single Source of Truth
NetBrain can be synchronized with data from external CMDBs to make NetBrain the ‘single source of truth’ for all network inventory data. NetBrain also provides Southbound Restful APIs for other NMS tools to read data from.
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Workflow Integration: Cyber-Security
In this example, NetBrain is used during a Cyber-attack. A NetBrain diagnosis is triggered via API through an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to isolate and mitigate the attack in real-time.
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API-Triggered Security DiagnosisAn IDS event triggers an API service call to NetBrain which (a) instantly creates a map from the suspected attacker to the target and (b) executes a Runbook to collect performance data.
Collaborative TroubleshootingMultiple security teams arrive on the scene to review the Dynamic Map and collaborate using the map as a shared analytics console.
Security Response ImprovementOnce the threat has been mitigated, malware and response teams can improve threat response by enhancing the knowledge library with lessons-learned from the attack.
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Workflow Integration: Application Performance Management
In this example, NetBrain is used to troubleshoot application slowness. A NetBrain diagnosis is triggered via API through an Application Performance Monitoring (APM) system to diagnose the problem.
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API-Triggered Performance DiagnosisAn APM triggers an API service call to NetBrain which (a) instantly creates a map from a user’s PC to a slow application server and (b) executes a Runbook to collect and analyze performance data.
Collaborative TroubleshootingThe Network, Security, and Application teams review the Dynamic Map and troubleshoot collaboratively using the map as a shared analytics console.
Troubleshooting Knowledge EnhancementsOnce the problem has been resolved, a Senior Network Engineer enhances the troubleshooting knowledge library with lessons-learned from the problem.
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API Use Case: Integrate NetBrain with ServiceNow
Map creation + runbook execution auto-
triggered by ServiceNow when ticket is created1
NetBrain map URL sent back to
ServiceNow ticket automatically2
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API Use Case: Integrate NetBrain with Splunk
Splunk trap detects potential attack from IDS1
Splunk triggers API service call
to NetBrain with input
parameters Source (attacker)
and Destination (victim)
2
NetBrain automatically (a)
generates A/B path from Attacker
to Victim and (b) executes a
runbook to monitor the impact
3
New Thin Client InterfaceImproved User Experience
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New Thin Client User Interface
NetBrain 7.0 employs a streamlined user interface via a brand new thin (web-based) client. A thin client interface offers several advantages over a ‘rich’ (Windows) client:
1. Instant access to NetBrain from anywhere
2. Seamless collaboration via a single map URL
3. Usable on any Operating System
4. No client installation or upgrades required
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New Thin Client User Interface
The new user interface has been redesigned for ease-of-use to resemble a desktop Operating System. The NetBrain ‘Start Page’ has been replaced with the ‘Desktop’ for storing common files and apps. Common features like Search, Path, and Runbooks are now easier to access.
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New Thin Client User Interface (System Management)
The new System Management consoles allows a system administrator to manage licenses, tenants, user accounts, passwords, email server settings, system task processes, API plugins and more.
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New Thin Client User Interface (System Management)
To provide users in one domain with a unified desktop (same background, necessary applications and shortcuts) administrators can configure a desktop profile in the Domain Management page.
New System ArchitectureImproved scalability, performance, and resiliency
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Horizontally Scalable architecture
NetBrain 7.0 uses a brand new architecture which provides more scalability and resiliency for very large networks.
o Architecture is now horizontally scaled, which means scalability is achieved by adding distributed servers, as opposed to increasing processing power on a single, expensive server (vertical scalability). Refer to System Requirements for more details.
o New fault-tolerant architecture allows for failover in the event of a hardware failure of any NetBrain server. This active-active architecture improves NetBrain availability and resiliency.
o With the new thin client web interface, all compute power for NetBrain is now performed on the server.
Supports browser-based thin client
Replaces Network Server
Manages new network data model
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Multi-Tenant & Multi-Domain Framework
The Multi-Tenant and Multi-Domain Framework is a perfect solution for consulting companies or managed service providers, to offer network management services for multiple customers’ networks separately. NetBrain 7.0 has three layers: system, tenant, and domain. One tenant works well for one enterprise.
o Ability to create a tenant for each customer
o Ability to create multiple domains under each tenant to simplify network management
o Each tenant has its own global data repository (GDR) for storing network properties
o Domain administrators have privileges to discover/tune network devices, schedule benchmarks, etc.
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Redesigned Data Model of Discovered Network
A mathematical ‘data model’ of the network powers every Dynamic Map. This model is created from a deep network discovery and kept up-to-date with recurring benchmarks. With NetBrain 7.0 this model is more flexible to provide:
1. Improved speed for A/B path calculations
2. Improved multivendor support
3. Expandability for Software Defined Networks (e.g. Cisco ACI, VMware NSX)
For more information…
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More Resources
For more information, please review the following resources:
o NetBrain Automation Catalog – A 24-page visual catalog (PDF booklet) providing an overview of NetBrain for workflow integration
o Top 10 Use Cases of NetBrain - A one-page summary of the top 10 use cases of NetBrain, updated for version 7.0
o NetBrain Use Cases Page – A detailed look at the top 10 use cases of NetBrain, enriched with images and real-world examples
o NetBrain Product Tour – Technology overview, providing details about Dynamic Map, Executable Runbook, API integration, and more
o NetBrain 7.0 System Spec – Technical document describing specifications and system requirements for deploying NetBrain 7.0
