From Headaches to Hassle-Free: The Modern Fix for Network Troubleshooting

The network is the lifeblood of everything from remote work to cloud apps. It keeps things running smoothly, which isn't just important—it's fundamental. A single hiccup in connectivity can bring productivity to a screeching halt, and nobody wants that. So, what used to be a mundane task—network troubleshooting—has now become one of the most vital jobs for any Infrastructure and Operations (I&O) team.

The Network Jungle: Why Troubleshooting Isn't What It Used to Be

Network troubleshooting sounds straightforward—find the problem, fix it, and move on. But as networks have expanded and become more complex, so has the job of keeping them in check. The network is now the backbone of nearly every business operation, and with that, troubleshooting has evolved into a critical process that requires speed and precision.

When something goes wrong, whether it's a service outage, hardware failure, cyberattack, or even a natural disaster, without the ability to quickly figure out what's broken and why, downtime is a very real (and very costly) outcome. And that's not even considering the toll something like this can take on employees, users, and customers who just want things to work smoothly.

Manual Troubleshooting, the Old-School Way

Imagine it's the 1990s. There's no cloud, no remote work revolution, and definitely no SaaS apps. Networks were simpler back then, mainly because everything was on-premises. But simple didn't mean easy. When something went wrong, network admins had to roll up their sleeves and dig into the issue manually. Here's how that played out:

• Validation and Triage: The alarm bells go off. Now, the admin has to figure out what's causing the alarm, cross-check it with other data, and make sure it's not a false positive. It's like being a detective, but with way more stress.
• Diagnostics: With the issue confirmed, it's time to assess the damage. Are there other problems lurking in the shadows? The admin also needs to make sure backup systems are ready to take over if needed. No pressure, right?
• Recording Data: Now, they log into the ITSM to file an incident report, gathering all the background info a network engineer will need in order to swoop in and save the day.
• Remediation: Time to hurry up and wait. The network engineer needs to fix the issue, assuming they're not already swamped with other emergencies. Once they're done, the admin double-checks everything, tests it, and escalates if things aren't fixed.

The 2023 Upgrade: Network Automation to the Rescue

Fast forward to today, and we've got network automation, the superhero of troubleshooting. Instead of spending hours manually slogging through each step, automation can handle the whole process in minutes. It kicks in the moment an alarm is triggered, completing each step faster and with no downtime between tasks. In many cases, issues are identified and fixed before anyone even notices something went wrong.

But automation isn't just about troubleshooting—it's about prevention, too. By automating network testing and preventative maintenance, potential problems can be found and fixed before they even have a chance to cause trouble. This proactive approach means fewer headaches and less downtime. So, instead of being like a detective and trying to solve a crime after the fact, technology can help prevent that crime from occurring in the first place.

Ready to Embrace the Future?

For I&O teams, the time to switch to network automation is now. Want to learn more about how you can revolutionize your troubleshooting process? Download our latest eBook, 7 IT Automations for Highly Effective Organizations, and get started on the path to smoother, faster, and more reliable network management.