- The establishment of a robust Network Source of Truth (NSoT) serves to centralise device inventory, configuration parameters, and topology data, thereby laying a foundational framework for reliable network automation.
Continuous data validation, systematic version control mechanisms, and seamless integration with automation ecosystems are deemed essential prerequisites for sustaining the accuracy and trustworthiness of the NSoT.
What is a Network Source of Truth (NSoT)?
Within the realm of modern network operations, a Network Source of Truth (NSoT) is defined as an authoritative, centralised—or logically unified—data repository that houses validated and real-time information pertaining to a network’s infrastructure. This encompasses device inventory, configuration specifications, IP address allocations, topological structures, policy mandates, and other critical operational datasets.
Distinct from conventional inventory databases, the NSoT functions as the cornerstone for network automation, documentation, monitoring, and regulatory compliance by ensuring that all stakeholders and automated tools adhere to a consistent “authentic” representation of the network state. As corroborated by a network automation engineer interviewed by EMA, the NSoT constitutes “a precise snapshot of the network’s operational condition,” which is paramount for executing configuration changes with a high degree of confidence and risk mitigation.
Why a Single Source of Truth Matters for Network Reliability
Contemporary networks are inherently dynamic systems, often spanning geographically dispersed sites and integrating legacy hardware, cloud-based infrastructure, software-defined wide-area networks (SD-WAN), and other heterogeneous components. In the absence of a trusted source of truth, several critical challenges emerge:
Configuration drift—characterised by discrepancies between the actual device configurations and the intended operational settings—tends to become pervasive.
Manual operational errors and inconsistent documentation practices proliferate, undermining operational efficiency and knowledge management.
Automation pipelines are rendered unreliable or potentially hazardous, as they may act on inaccurate data, thereby increasing the risk of misconfigurations or network outages.
The NSoT effectively mitigates these risks through the consolidation of disparate data sources, providing a consistent and accurate foundation for deployment initiatives, change management protocols, and compliance audits. This not only enhances network reliability but also accelerates operational velocity by streamlining decision-making processes.
What Data Belongs in the NSoT
A robust NSoT typically encompasses the following categories of data:
Device inventory, including routers, switches, firewalls, and virtualised network functions (VNFs);
IP address allocations and domain name system (DNS)/dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) records, commonly referred to as IP address management (IPAM) data;
Network topology, which details the interconnections between devices, virtual local area networks (VLANs), and network segments;
Configuration templates and actual configuration data, such as interface settings, routing protocols, and security policies;
Policy rules, access control lists (ACLs), and compliance-related metadata;
Relevant telemetry or state data, including device health metrics and performance indicators.
By incorporating both “intended” configurations (the desired state of the network) and “actual state” data (the current operational condition of the network), the NSoT serves as the definitive authoritative reference for all network operations and decision-making processes.
Building Your NSoT: Best Practices
Standardise Configurations Before Automation
Prior to the implementation of any automation initiatives, it is imperative to standardise network design principles and configuration templates. This standardisation minimizes the occurrence of “snowflake” configurations—unique, non-replicable settings specific to individual devices—which constitute a common source of errors in heterogeneous infrastructure environments when automation is scaled.
The adoption of declarative configuration templates (e.g., YAML, JSON) stored within a version-controlled repository facilitates the maintenance of clear and consistent definitions of device roles, policy frameworks, and expected configurations. A widely accepted industry approach involves partitioning configurations into logical segments (e.g., tenant-specific settings, access control policies, fabric policies), thereby simplifying management and update procedures.
Use Version Control and Change Management
The NSoT should be managed with the same rigor as source code, including storage in a version control system (VCS) such as Git, comprehensive tracking of all modifications, and the enforcement of approval or review processes prior to the implementation of any changes. This approach ensures auditability and enables rapid rollback capabilities in the event that a change results in operational disruptions—a critical requirement for managing large-scale networks or multi-site deployments.
Automate Updates and Keep Data Dynamic
Manual updates to the NSoT are inherently prone to delays and inaccuracies. Instead, organisations should implement automation mechanisms that synchronise the NSoT with live infrastructure through application programming interfaces (APIs), device monitoring tools, or configuration management platforms. This ensures near real-time alignment between the recorded state of the network and its actual operational condition.
Automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Terraform, network-as-code frameworks) should be configured to retrieve data from the NSoT for provisioning, configuration deployment, and auditing purposes, thereby ensuring that all automated actions are predicated on a single authoritative dataset.
Challenges in Practice: Why a Perfect NSoT is Rare
Despite the well-documented benefits, the achievement and maintenance of a fully optimized NSoT present significant challenges. According to research conducted by EMA, only approximately 26% of enterprises surveyed reported having a genuine single network source of truth, while the remaining organizations relied on multiple “systems of record” or operated with fragmented data silos.
Several key obstacles frequently impede the successful implementation of a unified NSoT:
Data silos: Different operational tools often track discrete subsets of data (e.g., IP allocations, physical device inventory, security policies, monitoring metrics), making the consolidation of information into a unified repository a complex undertaking.
Lack of real-time synchronization: Manual updates or batch processing workflows can quickly render the NSoT obsolete, as it fails to reflect the dynamic changes occurring within the network.
Proprietary vendor lock-in: Closed-source tools with limited API compatibility can hinder integration into a unified NSoT ecosystem, restricting flexibility and interoperability.
Complex multi-vendor, multi-domain environments: Cloud, on-premises, and hybrid network architectures employ distinct data models, and the unification of these models under a single schema is often a non-trivial technical challenge.
In response to these challenges, many organizations adopt a hybrid approach, leveraging multiple authoritative repositories (one for each data class) that are integrated or federated to enable automation systems to treat them as a logical NSoT.
NSoT: The Foundation for Network Automation and Change Management
Once a reliable NSoT is established, it serves as the foundational infrastructure for a wide range of critical operational practices:
Network automation: Encompassing provisioning, configuration modifications, scalability enhancements, and cloud integration initiatives.
Change management & compliance: Facilitating the detection of configuration drift, auditing of changes, and enforcement of adherence to policy templates.
Troubleshooting & monitoring: Enabling the comparison of intended configurations with actual network states to diagnose and resolve operational issues.
Documentation & knowledge sharing: Providing a centralised, up-to-date record of network topology, policy frameworks, and operational history, which is invaluable for employee onboarding, regulatory audits, and disaster recovery efforts.
Enterprises that invest in the establishment and maintenance of a robust NSoT are significantly more likely to achieve success in their network automation initiatives and manage their infrastructure in a stable and efficient manner—particularly as networks continue to scale and evolve in complexity.
Step-by-Step: How to Implement a Network Source of Truth
Audit existing network data: Conduct a comprehensive inventory of all device inventories, IPAM records, configuration files, topology diagrams, and policy documents currently in use.
Standardise naming conventions, templates, and data models: Define a consistent schema for devices, interfaces, VLANs, IP address ranges, and policy frameworks to ensure uniformity across the NSoT.
Select or build a repository and version control system: Utilize Git or an alternative VCS to store configuration templates and metadata, with optional integration into a configuration management database (CMDB) or IPAM tool.
Automate discovery and synchronization: Deploy network management tools or custom scripts to extract live state data (e.g., device status, configuration changes, topology updates, IP leases) and populate the NSoT.
Integrate automation pipelines: Establish connections between provisioning, configuration, and deployment tools and the NSoT to ensure that all automated changes are based on authoritative data.
Implement change control and audit processes: Mandate reviews and approvals for all modifications to the NSoT, and maintain a detailed log documenting the identity of the individual making the change, the nature of the modification, the timestamp, and the rationale.
Schedule regular reconciliation and drift detection: Conduct periodic comparisons between the live network state and the data stored in the NSoT, flagging any discrepancies for further investigation or remediation.
Train teams and establish governance: Ensure that network and operations teams possess a comprehensive understanding of the NSoT’s role and functionality, and implement policies requiring all changes to be routed through the NSoT rather than direct device edits.
When Might You Avoid a Fully Centralised Model?
It is important to distinguish between a “single source of truth” and a “centralised source of truth.” A fully centralised repository—housing all data types within a single database—can potentially become a performance bottleneck or a single point of failure. As an alternative, some organizations utilize multiple “single truths” for distinct domains (e.g., network, storage, compute) and federate these repositories as required. This approach balances modular autonomy with the need for authoritative control.
In highly distributed or hybrid network environments, a federated model may offer greater resilience, as each domain retains ownership of its data while automation and orchestration tools treat the federated repositories as a unified whole.
Industry Perspectives on NSoT Importance
As noted in a prominent network automation whitepaper: “Automation serves as a critical enabler for managing network complexity… however, for automation to deliver on its full potential, the existence of a reliable Source of Truth (SoT) is essential.” Without such a foundation, automation tools risk acting on outdated or inconsistent data, thereby undermining the very efficiency and reliability gains that automation is intended to provide.
Another industry perspective, shared by a network automation engineer in an interview with EMA, emphasizes the practical value of the NSoT: “We have integrated all our monitoring and alerting tools with this database, enabling us to compare every incoming alert and determine its significance.” This database—their NSoT—empowers the team to filter out non-actionable noise, identify genuine operational issues, and respond with greater speed and accuracy.
FAQs
Q: What is the distinction between a “single source of truth” and a “centralised source of truth”?
A: A “single source of truth” ensures that each discrete piece of data (e.g., device configuration, IP address) is maintained in a single authoritative location. In contrast, a “centralised source of truth” consolidates all data types within a single repository. It is possible to establish a single source of truth for each domain without centralising all data into a single system.
Q: Can automation be implemented without an NSoT?
A: Technically, automation is feasible in the absence of an NSoT; however, such implementations are inherently high-risk. Without access to authoritative and up-to-date data, automation initiatives are prone to errors, configuration drift, inconsistencies, and potential network outages.
Q: How frequently should the NSoT be updated?
A: Ideally, the NSoT should be updated in real time or near real time. Automated discovery mechanisms, API polling, or event-driven update workflows ensure that the recorded state of the network closely aligns with its actual operational condition. Periodic reconciliation processes further help to identify and address configuration drift.
Q: Can an NSoT include both intended state and actual state data?
A: Yes. A robust NSoT typically integrates configuration templates (representing the intended state) and live-state data (e.g., actual device configurations, telemetry metrics). This dual-view approach facilitates the detection of deviations and supports the enforcement of compliance with policy frameworks.
Q: Is there a recommended tool or platform for building an NSoT?
A: No universal, one-size-fits-all tool exists for NSoT implementation. Successful deployments often involve the integration of multiple technologies, including version control systems (e.g., Git), configuration management databases (CMDBs), IPAM tools, and automation platforms (e.g., Ansible, Terraform, network-as-code solutions), which are unified to function as a cohesive NSoT.
The maintenance of a reliable network source of truth is not a one-time project but rather an ongoing operational commitment. As networks continue to expand in size and complexity, the NSoT emerges as the cornerstone of stability, agility, and resilience.
Through the implementation of proper standardisation, automation, version control, and governance frameworks, organisations can effectively manage, adapt, and scale their network infrastructure in a safe and efficient manner.
Conversely, the absence of a robust NSoT increases the likelihood that even minor changes may escalate into costly outages or compliance violations.
