IETF NETMOD Working Group
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| IETF NETMOD Working Group | |
|---|---|
| Name | NETMOD Working Group |
| Abbreviation | NETMOD |
| Formation | 2014 |
| Parent organization | Internet Engineering Task Force |
| Focus | network configuration and management |
IETF NETMOD Working Group The NETMOD Working Group was a technical effort within the Internet Engineering Task Force chartered to develop data models and protocols for network configuration and management, interfacing with standards bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union and implementers like Cisco Systems and Juniper Networks. It aimed to standardize schemas and tooling that connect control-plane systems from vendors including Arista Networks, Huawei Technologies, and Nokia to orchestration frameworks from projects such as OpenStack and Kubernetes, while aligning with operational environments exemplified by Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform.
Overview
NETMOD produced specifications to enable programmable network configuration interoperable across devices from Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, Arista Networks, Huawei Technologies, and Nokia. The group coordinated work with the IETF NETCONF Working Group, the IETF YANG-EE Working Group, and the OpenConfig initiative, and interfaced with standards from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the International Organization for Standardization. Key stakeholders included operators like Verizon Communications, AT&T, and Deutsche Telekom and vendors such as Ciena and Brocade Communications Systems.
Standards and Deliverables
Deliverables included formal documents issued through the Request for Comments process, YANG modules standardized for configuration and operational state, and protocol extensions for existing management frameworks. Notable RFCs and drafts developed in NETMOD were coordinated with working groups such as IETF NETCONF Working Group, IETF OPSAWG Working Group, and IETF BESS Working Group. The outputs were intended to be consumed by orchestration projects like OpenStack, ONAP, and vendor ecosystems including Cisco IOS XR and Juniper Junos.
Protocols and Data Models
NETMOD focused on the YANG modeling language and its relationship to protocols including NETCONF, RESTCONF, and integrations with gRPC and gNMI from the OpenConfig community. The working group defined canonical YANG modules for interfaces, routing, and management plane constructs applicable to implementations such as Cisco IOS, Juniper Junos, and Arista EOS. Interaction patterns were examined alongside BGP implementations, OSPF deployments, and telemetry systems used by operators like Level 3 Communications and CenturyLink.
Working Group History and Milestones
Chartered in 2014 under the auspices of the Internet Engineering Task Force and shepherded by chairs drawn from vendors and operators, NETMOD produced a series of RFCs and companion drafts that influenced subsequent efforts in IETF policy and network programmability. Milestones included harmonization sessions with the IETF NETCONF Working Group, publication of core YANG modules, and collaboration events with the OpenConfig community and the Linux Foundation. Important meetings occurred at IETF plenaries attended by representatives from Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, Arista Networks, Verizon Communications, and AT&T.
Implementation and Adoption
Implementations of NETMOD deliverables appeared in network operating systems from Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, Arista Networks, Huawei Technologies, and open-source projects such as FRRouting, OpenDaylight, and SONiC. Cloud and hyperscaler adoption involved engineers from Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure integrating YANG-driven models into orchestration stacks like OpenStack and Kubernetes operators. The work influenced vendor-neutral efforts such as OpenConfig and projects under the Linux Foundation umbrella.
Security and Operational Considerations
NETMOD addressed transport and access-control aspects by building on secure channel technologies including SSH, Transport Layer Security, and authentication systems like RADIUS and TACACS+ as used by operators such as Verizon Communications and AT&T. Operational considerations were aligned with practices from network operations centers at Deutsche Telekom and NTT Communications, and with audit and compliance frameworks common to enterprises like IBM and Oracle Corporation.
Participants and Governance
Participants included engineers and contributors from organizations such as Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, Arista Networks, Huawei Technologies, Nokia, Verizon Communications, AT&T, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and open-source projects like OpenDaylight and FRRouting. Governance followed the Internet Engineering Task Force model with designated chairs, document editors, and mailing list consensus processes, and coordination with groups like IETF NETCONF Working Group, IETF YANG-EE Working Group, and the IETF OPSAWG Working Group.