The Challenge of Operating a Massive IP Network
In the transport IP network environment, manually managing thousands of equipment is a constant challenge. Configuration, service provision, and software updates require precision and coordination to avoid service disruptions. In particular, medium and high-impact jobs – such as software upgrades, migrations or hardware changes – are executed on critical elements, where any error can result in interruptions for customers.
Until now, the pre- and post-checks were carried out manually and with various tools, which generated a fragmentation of knowledge between the different groups involved. This situation made it difficult to standardise processes, detect incidents and continuously improve the tools used.
The solution: intelligent and transversal automation
To address this challenge, Telefónica Spain has developed an automated environment that allows Pre and Post checks to be carried out on IP routers. This workflow is supported by NetCheck, a collaborative environment based on Open-Source technologies and developed in-house, which allows the status of the equipment to be verified without manual intervention before and after any intervention.
The tool implements check blocks that assess the health of the equipment (Sanity Check), the status of the network (Network Check) and soon, the impact on services (Service Check). Each piece of equipment is analyzed by groupings, ordering the results according to their level of criticality, color-coded. It relies on clustering techniques to support and recommend the decision to be made next. In addition, a “snapshot” of the node status is saved before and after the job, allowing for accurate comparisons and automated forward or reverse decisions.
This cross-cutting model is designed to be used by all units involved in the IP network, encouraging continuous feedback and the incorporation of new use cases. The planning includes several phases of evolution, from the definition of requirements to the implementation in the network, with successive versions that incorporate operational improvements and new check blocks.
Visible results and progress towards operational autonomy
The implementation of this environment, which has been integrated with existing tools, has meant a qualitative leap in the management of the IP network. Among the most outstanding benefits are:
- Proactive identification of operational risks, both before and after executing changes to the network, which allows you to anticipate possible incidents and act with greater security.
- Automated advance or block decisions, which minimize the need for manual validations and streamline technical workflow.
- Minimization of the impact on the service, through intelligent analysis algorithms,
- Unification and standardization of procedures between teams, which eliminates knowledge silos and favors the continuous improvement of the tools used.
In the opinion of Ivan Lozano, Director of Fixed Access, IP and Transport at Telefónica de España:
“This project represents a paradigm shift in the operation of the IP network. We have moved from a reactive and manual approach to a strategy based on advanced observability, automated intelligence and cross-functional collaboration. Thanks to this solution, we not only gain efficiency, but also reduce risks, improve the quality of service and take a firm step towards autonomous operation. It is a key pillar in our transformation to next-generation networks.”
But the most strategic benefit is the move towards a more autonomous network. This project is a clear driver within ANJ of the Level 4 Autonomy model, in which systems are able to execute complex tasks independently, with minimal supervision. The vision is clear: an IP network that is proactively managed, monitored and improved, with intelligent tools that learn and evolve with each intervention.
As Juan Pedro Fernández-Palacios, Transport Technology Manager at Telefonica S.A., comments:
“NetCheck is a clear example of the advantages provided by iFUSION architecture, allowing complete programmability of the IP network regardless of the equipment supplier.”
Towards a smarter, more autonomous grid
The evolution of the configuration and deployment processes in Telefónica Spain’s IP network not only represents a technical improvement: it marks a strategic milestone on the road to Level 4 operational autonomy, as defined by the TM Forum’s Autonomous Networks (AN) model. Thanks to collaboration between areas, the use of advanced tools and strategic planning, Telefónica Spain has managed to place its IP network processes at a stage where decisions are automated and risks are detected proactively without human intervention, placing these processes at level 4 of autonomy.
The goal is to continue developing use cases that further consolidate the model, expanding operational autonomy and strengthening the responsiveness, efficiency, and resilience of networks. This transformation not only improves the quality of service but also redefines the role of technical operation in Telefónica’s digital ecosystem.
