FortiAIOps: An AI/ML-Powered Solution for Efficient Network Operations

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) have become pivotal technologies that drive the digital transformation of various industries. In the realm of network management, AI/ML solutions are increasingly being leveraged to streamline operations, enhance visibility, and expedite the identification and resolution of network anomalies. One such AI/ML-based solution making waves in the industry is FortiAIOps by Fortinet.

Introduction to FortiAIOps

FortiAIOps is a sophisticated AI/ML solution designed to augment the efficiency of network operations centers (NOC). This technology collects data rapidly from a plethora of Fortinet network devices such as FortiAPs, FortiSwitches, FortiGates, Secure SD-WAN, and FortiExtender. This exhaustive dataset feeds into the FortiAIOps system, enabling it to provide comprehensive insights and correlate events across the network.

Maximizing Visibility and Reducing Costs with FortiAIOps

FortiAIOps employs AI and ML capabilities to enhance the visibility of critical details across the network. It identifies anomalies swiftly, leveraging data visualization and correlation across Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and WAN to reduce Mean Time To Respond (MTTR). By predicting and remedying potential issues, FortiAIOps helps decrease ticket volume, thereby reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

FortiAIOps’ Recognition in the Industry

Fortinet’s prowess in the AI/ML domain and the effectiveness of its FortiAIOps solution have not gone unnoticed in the industry. The company has been named a Visionary for the third time in the 2022 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure.

FortiAIOps Licensing and Specifications

FortiAIOps functions as a management extension application (MEA) within FortiManager, making it compatible with all FortiManager versions and appliances supporting MEAs. The licensing of FortiAIOps is based not on the number of APs in the network, but on the number of FortiGates, similar to FortiManager. Licenses for FortiAIOps are available in various tiers, allowing the management of 10, 100, 1000, and 5000 FortiGate devices respectively.

Fortinet’s Journey Toward Enhanced AIOps

As an organization at the forefront of technological innovation, Fortinet is ceaselessly working to enhance its AIOps solutions. Following the successful launch of FortiAIOps, the company has announced its plans to release the next iteration of the solution, which will feature a fusion of augmented insights and advanced troubleshooting capabilities.

The Evolution of FortiAIOps

Fortinet initially offered a suite of solutions for complex networking and security tasks, including FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer, and FortiAIOps. To streamline operations further, the company decided to merge the capabilities of FortiWLM and FortiAIOps into a single, more robust solution—FortiAIOps v2.0. This new version combines deep monitoring and troubleshooting features with swift diagnostics and analytics, providing everything that companies need to manage their networks effectively.

The Goals of FortiAIOps v2.0

The development of FortiAIOps v2.0 was guided by three primary goals: to accelerate root cause analysis, ensure improved network and application availability, and to make advanced troubleshooting tools accessible. By integrating AI capabilities into the solution, FortiAIOps v2.0 can deliver faster MTTR, provide data on key performance metrics, and highlight negative trends, enabling users to address issues promptly and ensure a superior level of experience.

Key Features of FortiAIOps v2.0

FortiAIOps v2.0 offers a comprehensive view of the network, encompassing wireless, switching, and SD-WAN. It includes built-in troubleshooting tools that validate deployment at all network levels, thereby reducing MTTR. The solution also boasts advanced tools like route checks, process monitor, heatmaps, VLAN probe, cable diagnostics, and RF perf statistics which augment its troubleshooting capabilities.

Pricing and Licensing for FortiAIOps v2.0

FortiAIOps v2.0 is available as a subscription-based solution. It offers flexible licensing models, and monitoring and insights are offered both separately and in bundles. The pricing varies depending on the number of extension devices included in the license, with options for 25 extension devices for a four-year subscription to 10,000 extension devices for a one-year subscription.

Conclusion

In the modern era, AI/ML solutions like FortiAIOps are proving instrumental in relieving IT personnel of complex network management tasks. By automating these processes, FortiAIOps allows operators to focus on delivering superior network performance and improved quality of experience, regardless of their technical abilities. As Fortinet continues to innovate and enhance its AIOps solutions, businesses can look forward to even more advanced features and capabilities in the future.