Why automation matters at the edge
Running network functions in many locations multiplies the work of configuration and change. Manual changes across dozens of instances lead to drift and mistakes.
Templates and variables
Describe each network function with a template: image, size, interfaces, base configuration. Use variables for per-site values like addresses and region names.
Version control everything
Store templates and configurations in Git. Every change goes through review, and you can see who changed what and when.
Pipelines
Use a pipeline to validate syntax, run tests in a lab instance, and then roll out changes site by site.
Rebuild instead of repair
If an instance misbehaves, redeploy it from code rather than troubleshooting drift.
Start small
Automate one repetitive task first — such as onboarding a new branch to an SD-WAN hub — and expand from there.
