Real-time analytics and control applications
The flow-graph application, shown above, generates a real-time graph of communication between hosts. The application uses a simple sFlow-RT script to track associations between hosts based on their communication patterns and plots the results using the vis.js dynamic, browser based visualization library. This example can be modified to track different types of relationship and extended to incorporate other popular data visualization libraries such as D3.js.
Each of the examples has a server-side component that uses sFlow-RT's script API to collect, analyze, and export measurements. An HTML5 client side user interface connects to the server and presents the data.
The sFlow-RT analytics engine is a highly scaleable platform for processing sFlow measurements Continue reading
Anuta Networks Takes SDN to College
Another customer win for Anuta's NCX, following up on Telstra.
Python – Lists and Dict(ionarie)s
One of the fist things you’ll most likely encounter with Python are the datatypes lists and dicts. While they initially seem quite simple, things can get awfully complex, awfully fast when you start intermingling the two datatypes. So we’ll start with the basics, then dive into some more complex examples.
Lists
Lists are defined as ‘a collection of different pieces of information as a sequence under a single variable name’. So that’s a fancy way of saying it’s just a list. In Python, lists are defined by using the ‘[]’ brackets. So for example…
# A list with one item list = ["Jon"] # A list with multiple items list = ["Jon", "Matt", "Bill"] # An empty list list = []
Items in lists can be accessed by index. For example…
# A list with multiple items list = ["Jon", "Matt", "Bill"] print "The second name in the list is " + list[1] # Result The second name in the list is Matt
We can also iterate through the list with a simple loop…
# A list with multiple items
list = ["Jon", "Matt", "Bill"]
for name in list:
print name
# Result
Continue reading
Network Automation: Be Bold!
I’ve had something on my mind concerning network automation, and I think it’s worth mentioning it here.
There’s been a lot of talk - including plenty from myself - about using tools like Ansible for creating network configuration files; that is, text files that contain configurations for network devices, usually a list of CLI commands. And this is a great first step, certainly if you’re new to network automation.
It’s really not that hard to generate configurations. You can do it in about five lines of Python, or you can stick with that Excel spreadsheet powered by macros (you know who you are). I challenge anyone to tell me that Ansible is better at generating config templates than Excel. The reality is that it’s not - and it’s hardly attempting to be.
So, for the sake of making a point, let’s say the generation mechanism doesn’t matter. Let’s concede that this is the wrong optimization to be making. The question becomes - what is the right optimization?
I think the bigger problem to address is that of treating our networks like fragile snowflakes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve logged into a device, and felt like I was Continue reading
Network Automation: Be Bold!
I’ve had something on my mind concerning network automation, and I think it’s worth mentioning it here.
There’s been a lot of talk - including plenty from myself - about using tools like Ansible for creating network configuration files; that is, text files that contain configurations for network devices, usually a list of CLI commands. And this is a great first step, certainly if you’re new to network automation.
It’s really not that hard to generate configurations. You can do it in about five lines of Python, or you can stick with that Excel spreadsheet powered by macros (you know who you are). I challenge anyone to tell me that Ansible is better at generating config templates than Excel. The reality is that it’s not - and it’s hardly attempting to be.
So, for the sake of making a point, let’s say the generation mechanism doesn’t matter. Let’s concede that this is the wrong optimization to be making. The question becomes - what is the right optimization?
I think the bigger problem to address is that of treating our networks like fragile snowflakes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve logged into a device, and felt like I was Continue reading
Network Automation: Be Bold!
I’ve had something on my mind concerning network automation, and I think it’s worth mentioning it here. There’s been a lot of talk - including plenty from myself - about using tools like Ansible for creating network configuration files; that is, text files that contain configurations for network devices, usually a list of CLI commands. And this is a great first step, certainly if you’re new to network automation.Network Automation: Be Bold!
I’ve had something on my mind concerning network automation, and I think it’s worth mentioning it here. There’s been a lot of talk - including plenty from myself - about using tools like Ansible for creating network configuration files; that is, text files that contain configurations for network devices, usually a list of CLI commands. And this is a great first step, certainly if you’re new to network automation.Last Chance! Simplify WAN/MAN Orchestration through SDN Segment Routing
Join SDxCentral and Cisco for a special DemoFriday on October 30th at 10:00am PT on how SDN with Segment Routing can simplify WAN/MAN orchestration.
Teaching AND Training Are Education
Training isn't enough. You need some teaching too.
The post Teaching AND Training Are Education appeared first on EtherealMind.
Network Break 55: Microsoft’s Switch, Security Gets Hotter
Network Break 55 examines new switch releases from Microsoft, Arista & Dell, a white-hot security market, Cisco security bugs, and why we don't need to get worked up about cloud outages any more.
The post Network Break 55: Microsoft’s Switch, Security Gets Hotter appeared first on Packet Pushers.
Using Vagrant with OpenStack
In my earlier post on using Docker Machine with OpenStack, I talked about combining technologies in a “provider/consumer” model. In this post, I’m going to talk about creating this provider/consumer model using a different combination of technologies: OpenStack as the infrastructure provider and Vagrant for consuming that infrastructure.
If you’re unfamiliar with Vagrant, I recommend you first read this introduction to Vagrant (after that you can dig into all the other Vagrant-tagged posts). As I explain in that first post, Vagrant leverages the idea of providers (which enable Vagrant to work with various back-end virtualization platforms/solutions) as well as boxes (which are essentially VM templates). In this particular case, we’re leveraging an OpenStack provider for Vagrant that allows Vagrant to use OpenStack as the back-end virtualization solution. However, since OpenStack already has the equivalent of VM templates (in the form of images), there’s no need to use a Vagrant box. This makes using Vagrant with OpenStack slightly different than your typical Vagrant use case.
Prerequisites
Let’s start with reviewing some prerequisites—these are the things you’ll need to do/have done before you can use Vagrant with OpenStack (besides the obvious things like having Vagrant installed).
- You’ll need a working OpenStack Continue reading
How Facebook Tells Your Friends You’re Safe in a Disaster in Under Five Minutes
In a disaster there’s a raw and immediate need to know your loved ones are safe. I felt this way during 9/11. I know I’ll feel this way during the next wild fire in our area. And I vividly remember feeling this way during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
Most earthquakes pass beneath notice. Not this one and everyone knew it. After ceiling tiles stopped falling like snowflakes in the computer lab, we convinced ourselves the building would not collapse, and all thoughts turned to the safety of loved ones. As it must have for everyone else. Making an outgoing call was nearly impossible, all the phone lines were busy as calls poured into the Bay Area from all over the nation. Information was stuck. Many tense hours were spent in ignorance as the TV showed a constant stream of death and destruction.
It’s over a quarter of a century later, can we do any better?
Facebook can. Through a product called Safety Check, which connects friends and loved ones during a disaster. When a disaster hits Safety Check prompts people in the area to indicate if they are OK or not. Then Facebook closes the worry loop by Continue reading
Getting to Know John Ryan, Business Development & Channels
Knowing the members of our Ansible community is important to us, and we want you to get to know the members of our team in (and outside of!) the Ansible office. Stay tuned to the blog to learn more about the people who are helping to bring Ansible to life.
This week we're happy to introduce you to John Ryan, who joined Ansible as head of business development and channels. John has more than 30 years of experience in business development, channels, sales and marketing in infrastructure software, open source and network security. He’s held leadership positions at Proofpoint, Apigee, Red Hat, IBM and Sun Microsystems. John holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University.
What’s your role at Ansible?
I develop and manage strategic alliances with leading cloud, networking, storage, infrastructure technology and consulting, reseller and systems integrator partners. I’m also helping to build out Ansible’s partner program, resources and joint DevOps market-making initiatives.
I collaborate closely with the a wide spectrum of teams, including product, engineering, marketing and sales leadership teams along with our partners to develop, promote, sell and drive Continue reading