Network Infrastructure Management and Automation refers to the practice of effectively overseeing, controlling, and automating various aspects of an organization's network infrastructure. This encompasses a wide range of tasks and processes related to the configuration, monitoring, maintenance, and optimization of network devices and resources. Network infrastructure management and automation are crucial in modern IT environments to ensure network reliability, security, scalability, and efficiency. 

Network Monitoring and Performance Management: 

• Continuous monitoring of network devices, traffic, and performance.
• Real-time alerting and notification of network issues.
• Performance analysis and historical data collection for capacity planning.

Configuration Management:

• Centralized management of network device configurations.
• Automation of configuration changes and updates.
• Compliance monitoring to ensure configurations adhere to security and compliance policies.

Automation and Orchestration:

• Automated provisioning and deprovisioning of network resources.
• Workflow automation for routine network tasks.
• Event-driven automation to respond to network events and incidents.

Change Management:

• Controlled and documented change processes for network configurations.
• Change approval workflows to prevent unauthorized changes.
• Rollback mechanisms in case of configuration errors or issues.

Security and Compliance:

• Network security policies and access control.
• Monitoring security threats and vulnerabilities.
• Compliance auditing and reporting to meet regulatory requirements.

Inventory and Asset Management:

• Inventory tracking of network devices and components.
• Asset lifecycle management, including procurement, deployment, and retirement.

Network Optimization:

• Traffic optimization and load balancing.
• Quality of Service (QoS) configuration for prioritizing critical traffic.
• Network performance tuning and optimization for efficiency.

Self-Service Portals:

• Self-service interfaces for authorized users to request and provision network resources.
• User-friendly interfaces for managing network-related tasks.

Analytics and Reporting:

• Network analytics to gain insights into network behavior.
• Reporting capabilities to generate performance, security, and compliance reports.
• Data-driven decision-making for network improvements.

Integration and APIs:

• Integration with other IT management tools, such as Service Desk systems, cloud management platforms, and automation frameworks.
• APIs for customization and integration with third-party solutions.

Cloud Integration:

• Management and automation of network resources in cloud environments.
• Integration with cloud networking services and orchestration.

Effective network infrastructure management and automation can significantly enhance an organization's operational efficiency, reduce human errors, improve security posture, and adapt to the dynamic nature of modern IT environments. It is an essential practice for businesses of all sizes to ensure their networks meet the demands of today's digital landscape.