Enhancing Network Management: Auvik's New Features and Industry Updates

Konfy

4 min read · Sep 09 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of network management, staying abreast of the latest tools and features is crucial for IT professionals. As networks grow in complexity with a mix of cloud services, endpoints, and SaaS applications, the demand for more sophisticated monitoring solutions becomes apparent. This article delves into recent developments from Auvik Networks that aim to provide greater flexibility and customization in network management. Additionally, we'll touch on noteworthy industry updates that could impact how organizations approach endpoint security and network monitoring.

Enhanced Troubleshooting with Northstar

A key aspect of effective network management is the ability to quickly identify and resolve issues. To this end, Auvik has introduced Northstar - a cutting-edge troubleshooting tool designed around network path visualization. This innovative feature enhances visibility across networks by allowing users to focus on specific paths within their infrastructure. Whether it's tracing a connection from a node to the internet or between nodes on a local network, Northstar offers an efficient way to pinpoint problems without getting lost in unnecessary details.

The tool presents users with a contextually relevant subset of devices and connections from their overall network map. By doing so, it streamlines the troubleshooting process - enabling IT teams to adapt their monitoring strategies based on organizational needs while improving efficiency.

ARM64 Collector for Diverse Infrastructure Needs

As organizations continue to seek cost-effective solutions without compromising robustness in their operations, Auvik has responded by developing an ARM64 collection agent capable of running natively on ARM64-based hardware like Raspberry Pi devices. The significance here lies not only in cost savings but also in extending deployment options across various infrastructures.

This collector automatically detects underlying architecture types ensuring seamless integration regardless of device specifications. With many companies looking at ways to optimize expenses while maintaining high-quality monitoring capabilities - the introduction of this flexible option is timely.

Customizable Alerting Engine Reduces Noise

Another area where Auvik shines is its updated alerting engine which now allows for more customized settings regarding alerts and notifications. The goal here is twofold - to reduce alert noise that can often overwhelm IT staff and improve relevance so that teams receive messages only when necessary.

By tailoring notifications according to operational requirements such as service level agreements (SLAs) or specific goals - organizations can ensure they're alerted about truly critical events rather than being bogged down by frequent irrelevant alerts. This enhancement not only improves response times but also contributes significantly towards achieving precise monitoring tailored uniquely for each environment.

Industry Embraces AI and Cybersecurity Advancements

The network management landscape is not the only area experiencing significant advancements. The broader IT industry is also witnessing a surge in artificial intelligence (AI) integration and cybersecurity enhancements. For instance, the partnership between Enea and Custocy embeds deep packet inspection (DPI) and intrusion detection software libraries into an AI-powered network detection and response product. This collaboration signifies a move towards more sophisticated security measures that leverage AI for improved accuracy and performance.

Moreover, Protect AI's announcement of MLSecOps Foundations, a video training program on securing AI/ML systems, highlights the growing need for specialized knowledge in this domain. As AI becomes increasingly integral to business operations, understanding how to safeguard these systems against threats is becoming essential for IT professionals.

Network Visibility: A Case Study from Major League Baseball

Real-world applications of advanced network monitoring tools can be seen in various industries, including sports entertainment. Major League Baseball (MLB), faced with the challenge of managing complex video, gaming, and AI workloads across data centers and ballparks, turned away from legacy monitoring tools in favor of modern solutions like Kentik's network-flow analytics platform. This case study exemplifies how organizations are seeking comprehensive visibility over their networks to understand traffic usage better – down to specific users like video cameras or VoIP phones.

By implementing Kentik’s platform, MLB was able to unify diverse streams of monitoring data across multiple environments while supporting telemetry formats from various vendors such as Cisco, Arista, and Extreme Networks. Such detailed insights into network performance are crucial for organizations that rely heavily on real-time data transmission like MLB does during its games.

Conclusion

The realm of network management is undergoing transformative changes with providers like Auvik leading the charge through innovative features such as Northstar troubleshooting tool, ARM64 Collector agent compatibility with cost-effective hardware platforms like Raspberry Pi devices; along with enhanced alerting functionalities designed to minimize noise while maximizing relevance.

These developments are part of a larger trend within IT where artificial intelligence plays an increasingly pivotal role in both security strategies as well as operational efficiency improvements. Additionally, case studies from major organizations demonstrate the practical benefits that come from adopting these advanced technologies - showcasing their ability to provide granular visibility into complex networks which is vital for today's digital ecosystems.

As we continue to navigate through this era of rapid technological evolution within SaaS configuration and automation spaces - it becomes clear that adaptability paired with strategic implementation will be key drivers behind successful IT management practices moving forward.