Self-Driving Networks

This chapter presents a new vision of network operations, the self-driving network, that takes automation to the next level. This is not a description of existing work; rather, it is a challenge to dramatically rethink how we manage networks (or rather, how we do not manage networks). It draws upon an analogy with the development of self-driving cars and presents motivations for this effort. It then describes the technologies needed to implement this and an overall architecture of the system. As this endeavor will cause a major shift in network management, the chapter offers an evolutionary path to the end goal. Some of the consequences and human impacts of such a system are touched upon. The chapter concludes with some research topics and a final message. Key takeaways are that machine learning and feedback loops are fundamental to the solution; a key outcome is to build systems that are adaptive and predictive, for the benefit of users.