Zero-touch provisioning
{{Short description|Networking concept}}
Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP), or zero-touch enrollment,{{cite web|url=https://www.techtarget.com/searchmobilecomputing/answer/How-can-zero-touch-enrollment-help-Android-admins|last=Gold |first=Jack |title=How can zero-touch enrollment help Android admins?|date=May 16, 2019 |website=Techtarget.com |access-date=February 24, 2023}} is the process of remotely provisioning large numbers of network devices such as switches, routers and mobile devices without having to manually program each one individually.{{cite web|url=https://www.techtarget.com/searchitoperations/definition/zero-touch-provisioning-ZTP |last=Gillis |first=Alexander |title=zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) |date=May 1, 2021 |website=Techtarget.com |access-date=January 3, 2023}} The feature improves existing provisioning models, solutions and practices in the areas of wireless networks, (complex) network management and operations services, and cloud based infrastructure services provisioning.{{cite book|url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7431457 |year= 2015|doi= 10.1109/UCC.2015.82|access-date=February 24, 2023|last1= Demchenko|first1= Yuri|last2= Filiposka|first2= Sonja|last3= Tuminauskas|first3= Raimundas|last4= Mishev|first4= Anastas|last5= Baumann|first5= Kurt|last6= Regvart|first6= Damir|last7= Breach|first7= Tony|title=2015 IEEE/ACM 8th International Conference on Utility and Cloud Computing (UCC) |chapter=Enabling Automated Network Services Provisioning for Cloud Based Applications Using Zero Touch Provisioning |pages= 458–464|isbn= 978-0-7695-5697-0|s2cid= 16630605}}
ZTP saves configuration time while reducing errors. The process can also be used to update existing systems using scripts. Research has shown that ZTP systems allow for faster provisioning versus manual provisioning.{{cite book|url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9348119|year= 2020|doi= 10.1109/GLOBECOM42002.2020.9348119|access-date=February 24, 2023|last1= Boskov|first1= Ivan|last2= Yetgin|first2= Halil|last3= Vucnik|first3= Matevz|last4= Fortuna|first4= Carolina|last5= Mohorcic|first5= Mihael|title= GLOBECOM 2020 - 2020 IEEE Global Communications Conference|chapter= Time-to-Provision Evaluation of IoT Devices Using Automated Zero-Touch Provisioning|pages= 1–7|arxiv= 2009.09731|isbn= 978-1-7281-8298-8|s2cid= 221818631}} The global market for ZTP services was estimated to be $2.1 Billion in 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/zero-touch-provisioning-market-report |last= |first= |title=Zero-Touch Provisioning Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Component, Device Type, Network Complexity, Enterprise Size, Industry, By Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030 |date=|website=grandviewresearch.com |access-date=January 19, 2023}}
In April 2019, the Internet Engineering Task Force published RFC 8572 Secure Zero Touch Provisioning (SZTP) as a Proposed Standard.{{cite journal|url=https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/rfc8572/ |title=Secure Zero Touch Provisioning (SZTP) RFC 8572|date=April 1, 2019|website=IEGF.org |access-date=March 6, 2023|last1= Watsen|first1= Kent|last2= Abrahamsson|first2= Mikael|last3= Farrer|first3= Ian}}
The FIDO Alliance published FIDO Device Onboard version 1.0 in December 2020, and followed up with a [https://fidoalliance.org/specs/FDO/FIDO-Device-Onboard-PS-v1.1-20220419/FIDO-Device-Onboard-PS-v1.1-20220419.html FIDO Device Onboard version 1.1] in April 2022. Several [https://fidoalliance.org/specifications/download-iot-specifications/ FDO "app notes"] augment this specification. FIDO Device Onboard is also a ZTP type protocol.
Applications
One application of the technology is to improve delivery of cloud computing services.{{cite journal|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309797547
|last1=Demchenko |first1=Yuri |last2=Filiposka |first2=Sonja |title=ZeroTouch Provisioning (ZTP) Model and Infrastructure Components for Multi-provider Cloud Services Provisioning|date=November 1, 2016 |website=researchgate.net |arxiv=1611.02758 |access-date=January 4, 2023}} The concept has been particularly influential for information technology when paired with mobile device management.{{cite web|url=https://www.rcrwireless.com/20211217/telco-cloud/what-is-a-zero-touch-network-hype-vs-reality|last= |first= |title=What is a zero-touch network?: Hype vs. reality |date=December 17, 2021 |website=rcrwireless.com |access-date=January 4, 2023}} Repetitive processes that can be automated and streamlined include configuring settings; collecting inventory details; deploying apps; managing licenses; and implementing security policy, including password management and wiping remote devices.{{Cite web|url=https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/2018/10102018-zero-touch-provisioning-a-new-model-for-device-management.html|title=Zero-Touch Provisioning: A New Model for Device Management|website=Insight|date=October 15, 2018|access-date=May 19, 2023}}
System architecture
A basic ZTP system requires a network device that supports ZTP, a server that supports Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) or Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP), and a file server. When a ZTP-enabled device is powered on, the device's boot file sets up configuration parameters. A switch then sends a request using DHCP or TFTP to get the device's configuration file from a central location. The file then runs and configures ports, IP addresses and other server parameters for each location.
Similar concepts
Standards activity
In December 2017, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) formed the Zero-touch network and Service Management group (ZSM) to accelerate development and standardization of the technology.{{cite web|url=https://www.etsi.org/technologies/zero-touch-network-service-management
|last= |first= |title=Zero touch network & Service Management (ZSM) |date= |website=ETSI.org |access-date=January 4, 2023}} In the summer of 2019, the group published a series of documents defining ZSM requirements, reference architecture and terminology.
In April 2019, the Internet Engineering Task Force published RFC 8572 Secure Zero Touch Provisioning (SZTP) as a Proposed Standard.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.etsi.org/committee/1431-zsm ETSI ZSM standards]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kVSN19Vjlc What is ZTP (Zero Touch Provisioning)?]
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