GigaOm Radar for Network Validationv3.0

1. Executive Summary

Historically, network engineers relied on manual processes and ad hoc testing to verify network configurations and troubleshoot issues. However, as networks evolved and became increasingly complex, this approach was error-prone, time-consuming, and often inadequate for dynamic environments. As networks became more critical to business operations and security threats increased, organizations recognized the need for more systematic and automated validation approaches.

Modern network validation solutions leverage advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and automation to provide comprehensive and proactive validation capabilities. These solutions can automatically discover and map network resources, simulate network behavior under various scenarios, and continuously monitor for compliance with security policies and industry standards.

Most network validation solutions use configuration analysis, data plane testing, and active monitoring to assess network health, performance, security, and compliance:

• Configuration analysis scans network device configurations to check for errors, inconsistencies, and deviations from defined standards and policies.
• Data plane testing generates synthetic traffic to verify end-to-end network paths, access control lists (ACLs), quality of service (QoS), and other data plane functions.
• Active monitoring continuously polls network devices and services to validate availability, reachability, and performance against baselines.

The importance of network validation cannot be overstated. It helps organizations:

• Reduce the risk of network outages and security breaches by identifying misconfigurations and vulnerabilities before they impact business operations.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards by continuously verifying network configurations against established policies.
• Accelerate network changes and deployments by providing a way to test and validate changes before implementation.
• Improve overall network performance and user experience by identifying and resolving issues proactively.
• Provide a common understanding of network behavior and dependencies to enhance collaboration among network, security, and application teams.

Overall, network validation is a dynamic and iterative process that requires constant refinement to adapt to changing network conditions and technological advancements. It is essential for maintaining network integrity, optimizing performance, and ensuring security in today’s complex and distributed network environments. Organizations that invest in robust network validation processes and tools will be better positioned to manage their networks effectively, reduce risks, and align their network operations with business objectives.

This is our third year evaluating the network validation space in the context of our Key Criteria and Radar reports. This report builds on our previous analysis and considers how the market has evolved over the last year.

This GigaOm Radar report examines 15 of the top network validation solutions and compares offerings against the capabilities (table stakes, key features, and emerging features) and nonfunctional requirements (business criteria) outlined in the companion Key Criteria report. Together, these reports provide an overview of the market, identify leading network validation offerings, and help decision-makers evaluate these solutions to make a more informed investment decision.