Have you noticed how software development teams have evolved over the years—with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and continuous integration all working in harmony?

Now, imagine applying that same speed, consistency, and agility to the network.

That’s the promise of NetDevOps—a transformational approach that brings DevOps principles into the world of networking. And for organisations still stuck in the manual CLI (Command Line Interface) era, it’s a game-changer.

What is NetDevOps?

NetDevOps is the blending of network operations (NetOps) with the automation, version control, and continuous integration practices of DevOps.

At its core, it enables network teams to:

• Automate repetitive tasks
• Use code to manage network infrastructure (Infrastructure as Code)
• Deploy and test changes quickly and safely
• Collaborate better across teams with version-controlled configurations

Instead of typing commands line-by-line across devices, engineers write code, push updates through pipelines, and validate them—just like software teams do.

Why Should Businesses Care?

Here’s the thing: traditional NetOps is struggling to keep pace with digital transformation.

From cloud migrations to hybrid working models, the network has become more critical—and more complex—than ever before. Manual processes just can’t scale.

✅ Here’s what NetDevOps brings to the table:

1. Faster Delivery & Change Management
   Push changes across hundreds of devices in minutes—not days.
2. Fewer Errors, More Uptime
   Automation eliminates misconfigurations and the dreaded “fat-finger” mistakes.
3. Stronger Collaboration Across Teams
   Version control (e.g., Git) allows teams to track, test, and roll back changes safely.
4. Business Agility & Competitive Edge
   Faster, more reliable networks support faster product rollouts, better customer experiences, and reduced downtime.

Common Challenges in Adopting NetDevOps

Now, let’s be real. As exciting as it sounds, NetDevOps adoption isn’t always smooth.

Here’s what I’ve seen holding teams back:

• ❌ Lack of in-house automation skills or tools
• ❌ Engineers overwhelmed by steep learning curves
• ❌ No testing or non-production environments
• ❌ Configurations not stored or tracked centrally
• ❌ Cultural resistance from teams used to CLI-heavy workflows

Sound familiar?

So, How Do You Get Started?

You don’t have to go from zero to GitOps hero overnight. Start small. Focus on tools and practices that bring immediate value and scale gradually.

Here’s a typical roadmap we use at Teknow:

1. Introduce Source Control
   Start versioning configs with Git. This alone brings visibility and rollback safety.
2. Automate Simple Tasks
   Backups, config validation, and device health checks are great first use cases.
3. Create a Test Environment
   Even a lightweight lab allows safe testing before pushing to production.
4. Train Your Team Step-by-Step
   Upskill engineers in tools like Python, Ansible, or Terraform, depending on your environment.
5. Define a Culture of Collaboration
   Break down silos between network, security, and cloud teams to support shared ownership.

Some Real-World Examples in Action

• A global retailer used NetDevOps pipelines to roll out consistent firewall policies across 1,200 branches in under an hour.
• A financial services firm cut change-related outages by 80% after replacing manual updates with automated playbooks.
• A tech company used version-controlled configs to audit and prove compliance in minutes—not days.

To us, that’s the real power of NetDevOps—it’s not just about speed. It’s about visibility, control, and business confidence.

Final Thoughts

As networks become more software-defined and distributed, NetDevOps isn’t just a trend—it’s the next logical evolution.

If your business values agility, security, and uptime, then investing in a NetDevOps mindset could be one of the smartest moves you make.

Want to see where NetDevOps fits into your environment?

Let’s explore it together—Teknow can help you build a practical roadmap that works for your business and your team.

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