Automated configuration management is a big step forward, but it shouldn’t be the end goal. It still consists of multiple manual steps, the only difference is faster execution.
Disaggregation
When all the content will be decoupled from the platform, real freedom and innovation will begin.
Network controller buzzword
The word “controller” should be used exclusively to refer to software frameworks that actually implement control plane functionality.
Self-service model
Requires not only system automation, but also business workflow automation.
Blame
The network is meant to support applications, but that doesn’t mean applications were written with the network in mind. Which side is responsible?
Self-operating networks
The goal is to remove humans as functional components of a subsystem so they have more time and can focus and make improvements to the system as a whole.
User manual engineering
Usually includes a lot of hand-waving and little less engineering.
Scope
Beyond the scope usually means: “We couldn’t make it work”
Cookbooks
Network Design is like cooking, you can’t just tie yourself to the recipe book.
Fancy new stuff
Network providers shouldn’t go away from providing efficient dumb pipes.