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The Network Automation Forum Framework: A vendor-neutral reference model for building automation at scale#

NetUK3 (The Brewery) digest Program Adjacent pick The Brewery · 6–7 July 2026

Abstract

Pete Crocker (OpsMill)

  • Why: A shared vocabulary and reference architecture for network automation is the missing layer that makes automation conversations between engineers, vendors, and consultants coherent — useful for anyone mapping their own automation estate.
  • What: A walkthrough of the Network Automation Forum's reference architecture, developed over a year by a multi-stakeholder community: why standardised language around network automation was needed and how to apply the framework both starting from scratch and retro-fitting it to what you already built (from abstract only).
  • How: A layered reference model (published at reference.networkautomation.forum) that names the components of an automation architecture so tooling choices can be positioned against it.
  • Where applicable: Broadly applicable — the framework is deliberately vendor-neutral even though the speaker is from OpsMill; it is a mapping tool, not a stack you deploy.