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.