Modern Network Observability

Learn how to use modern monitoring tools for building network observability solutions that enhance operations and promote an effective automation strategy, with step-by-step guidance and practical examples

Key Features

• Craft a dynamic observability stack with real-world, practical applications
• Build intuitive dashboards and alerts by collecting and normalizing diverse network data
• Leverage observability data to strengthen automation strategies for network operations
• Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Book Description

As modern IT services and software architectures such as microservices rely increasingly on network performance, the relevance of networks has never been greater. Network observability has emerged as a critical evolution of traditional monitoring, providing the deep visibility needed to manage today’s complex, dynamic environments. In Modern Network Observability, authors David Flores, Christian Adell, and Josh VanDeraa share their extensive experience to guide you through building and deploying a flexible observability stack using open-source tools.

This book begins by addressing the limitations of monolithic monitoring solutions, showing you how to transform them into a composable, flexible observability stack. Through practical implementations, you’ll learn how to collect, normalize, and analyze network data from diverse sources, build intuitive dashboards, and set up actionable alerts that help you stay ahead of potential issues. Later, you’ll cover advanced topics, such as integrating observability data into your network automation strategy, ensuring your network operations align with business objectives.

By the end of this book, you'll be able to proactively manage your network, minimize downtime, and ensure resilient, efficient, and future-proof operations.

What you will learn

• Collect and normalize data from various sources using Telegraf and Logstash
• Enrich operational data with crucial context from a Source of Truth such as Nautobot
• Visualize data and create insightful dashboards with Grafana
• Automate alerts and responses for your network operations strategy using Prefect
• Understand when to build or buy an observability stack, with tips and best practices
• Explore practical machine learning techniques to enhance observability data value

Who this book is for

This book is for all network engineering roles such as network analysts, administrators, architects, security personnel, support staff, and managers working in both on-premises and cloud environments who are tasked with implementing or using network monitoring solutions. Basic programming knowledge in Python and Go, familiarity with networking concepts, and a fundamental understanding of Docker containers for lab scenarios will be required.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Monitoring and Observability
2. Role of Monitoring and Observability in Network Infrastructure
3. Data's Role in Network Observability
4. Observability Stack Architecture
5. Data Collectors
6. Data Distribution and Processing
7. Data Storage Solutions for Network Observability
8. Visualization – Bringing Network Observability to Life
9. Alerting – Network Monitoring and Incident Management
10. Real-World Observability Architectures
11. Applications of Your Observability Data – Driving Business Success
12. Automation Powered by Observability Data - Streamlining Network Operations
13. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Network Observability
14. Appendix A

David Flores is passionate about solving complex problems in network infrastructure, software architectures, automation, and observability. With experience with service providers, cloud providers, and system integrators, David has gained expertise in managing, automating, and building observability stacks for network infrastructure. Currently at CoreWeave, he focuses on enhancing automation and observability. David has also contributed to open source projects such as gns3fy, and actively shares his knowledge through blogs, workshops, and technical events. David is always curious and eager to keep himself updated and open to new ideas in the field.

Christian Adell is a principal architect at Network to Code He is focused on building network automation solutions for diverse use cases, with great emphasis on open source software. He is passionate about learning and helping others to grow, but also has more hobbies than hours in the day, so working remotely from Barcelona gives him the time and the space to achieve his dreams. Christian is a co-author of O'Reilly's Network Programmability and Automation book and a co-author of Network Automation with Nautobot by Packt . Also in relation to sharing knowledge, he is the organizer of the NetBCN community in Barcelona and has been collaborating with several universities for almost 20 years.

Josh VanDeraa is a network engineer and automation leader. Currently, he is a services director at Network to Code, driving value from network automation solutions. Josh has experience in automation and networking across retail, transportation, and managed services. In his free time, he enjoys being with his family or the Minnesota seasons. Josh co-authored Network Automation with Nautobot and self-published Open Source Network Management.