SURF.net news

Tag: Network Automation

  • LLM-activated Workflow Orchestrator

    LLM-activated Workflow Orchestrator

    Over the past six months, we have been working hard to integrate an AI agent into the Workflow Orchestrator (WFO). This software, which SURF is actively developing in collaboration with other international parties, has been enhanced with RAG functionality over the past six months. This makes it possible to search the orchestrator’s database in a comprehensive manner and to extract all kinds of cross-sectional information from the orchestrator using natural language.

    The diagram below shows an example of what this looks like in the SURF installation of the WFO software. The image shows the growth in the number of services delivered on the SURF network using the orchestrator since 2018.

    Open source and vendor agnostic

    An important criterion in developing this LLM integration was the ability to integrate with different LLMs and not be dependent on a cloud service. To make this possible, we ensured during development that the implementation uses the latest standards. This makes it possible to integrate with an LLM of your choice, as long as it uses the OpenAI API specification. During development, we experimented with several LLMs, including those available on SURF’s AI-HUB platform. This platform, developed for research and education in the Netherlands, makes open-source LLMs available that are hosted in SURF’s data centre.

    What next?

    In the coming year, we want to continue building an Agentic ecosystem within the SURF network department. Using machine learning and generative AI, we will try to automate troubleshooting as much as possible so that we can respond (and perhaps anticipate) incidents occurring in the network as quickly as possible.

    Would you like to know more?

    Be sure to read more on the blog of Tim Frölich, software developer employed by ShopVirge, who did much of the work to build this integration. Click here for a detailed technical explanation.

  • Workflow Orchestrator Programme – Codesprint

    Workflow Orchestrator Programme – Codesprint

    Last week SURFs network automation team spent a fruitful week in Berkeley (CA) together with colleagues from ESnet and Géant. As workflow orchestrator partner members, SURF, ESnet and Géant are committed to the workflow orchestrator software ecosystem and collaborate on creating a useful set of tools for parties who are interested in automating their network.

    First codesprint

    As users of the orchestrator software we share the need to continuously improve and add more features. The coming year SURF, ESnet and Geant plan to execute 12 sprints to work on the backlog of issues. This will be done by forming a (virtual) team of software engineers who will together work on issues that have been identified as important. The codesprint represents an important step in sharing knowledge and kickstarting this process.

    Results

    The codesprint results in a nutshell:

    • 22 issues closed with a combined issue weight of 45
    • 7 issues in progress with a total weight of 23
    • 2 releases including one Major release candidate. version 2.10, version 3.0.0rc1
    • Numerous new contributors
    • Many good stories and lots of laughs!


  • Network Automation at TNC’24

    Network Automation at TNC’24

    During TNC24, a meeting of the GNA-G Network Automation Working Group took place, bringing together experts from global research and education networks to discuss the future of network automation. The session was enriched by contributions from speakers such as Olof Hagsand (SUNET), Simone Spinelli (GÉANT), Karl Newell (Internet2), Sonja Filiposka (GÉANT), and Arthur Nieuwland (SURF), who shared their insights and experiences. The active participation of the audience contributed to a lively and constructive discussion, highlighting the community’s evolution through collaboration.

    The Global Network Advancement Group (GNA-G) is an international collaboration focused on improving global research and education networks. Within GNA-G, the Network Automation Working Group plays a crucial role in sharing common knowledge and experience in network automation. This fosters automated configuration, security audits, and intra-domain automation activities, enabling NRENs to implement network automation and orchestration more rapidly and effectively.

    With the SURF network, SURF is at the forefront of innovation in network automation. SURF actively contributes to GNA-G, providing its knowledge and infrastructure to promote international collaboration. The SURF network exemplifies how cutting-edge technology can be utilised to meet the growing demands of data-intensive scientific research and education.

    The meeting at TNC24 provided a platform to share best practices, identify common challenges, and explore innovative solutions in network automation. The interaction between the speakers and the audience underscored the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange within the community. Such meetings are essential for promoting interoperability and consistency across different networks worldwide.

    For more information about the activities and future meetings of the GNA-G Network Automation Working Group, visit the GNA-G website.

  • Workflow Orchestrator Partner Meeting!

    Last week, SURF hosted GÉANT and the Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) in Utrecht for the first Workflow Orchestrator partner meeting. We discussed the future of our open-source collaboration and how we can enhance interoperability between our networks.

    You can find more information about our collaboration on the Workflow Orchestrator programme website.

    Join us at AutoCon1 and TNC24 to learn more about our vision for network automation and orchestration!