Network Platform Enhancements for Device Visibility

Client Profile

A leading network and infrastructure intelligence provider serving enterprise customers with complex, heterogeneous network environments. The organization needed to improve their platform by enabling real-time device visibility, accelerating the onboarding of new device types, and proactively managing device lifecycles through end-of-life (EOL) and end-of-support (EOS) tracking.

The Challenge

Network operators needed clear, up-to-date information on every device in their network, with early warnings before devices become obsolete or unsupported:

Limited Multi-Vendor Support: Manual configuration required for each new device type, creating bottlenecks in onboarding new hardware vendors
Delayed Device Visibility: Lack of real-time discovery meant inventory data was often outdated, making troubleshooting and planning difficult
No Lifecycle Intelligence: Network teams had no automated way to track when devices were approaching end-of-life or end-of-support
Manual Tracking Overhead: Teams relied on spreadsheets and manual checks to monitor device lifecycle dates, prone to oversight and errors
Security & Compliance Risks: Unsupported devices remaining in production created vulnerabilities and compliance issues
Reactive Management: Without proactive alerts, teams only discovered obsolete devices when problems occurred

Our Solution

Go Brilliant delivered two high-impact feature enhancements that transformed device visibility and lifecycle management:

1. Scalable Multi-Vendor Discovery Pipeline

A comprehensive backend pipeline that automatically discovers and tracks devices from any vendor. The system polls various vendor APIs and uses common protocols (SNMP, REST APIs) to inventory devices across diverse hardware, eliminating manual configuration for each device type.

2. EOL/EOS Lifecycle Intelligence Module

A complete module that gathers up-to-date end-of-life and end-of-support data for each device and presents it in the user interface. It integrates with industry databases to flag devices nearing EOL/EOS, providing actionable alerts and preventing risks associated with unsupported hardware.

Implementation Architecture

Backend Integration: Extended discovery services to connect with multiple hardware and vendor-specific APIs with automated probes for each network device type
Database & Data Modeling: Updated database schema to store detailed lifecycle dates (EOL, EOS) and device metadata with zero-downtime update capability
Discovery Pipeline: Built scalable architecture to handle large device fleets with minimal manual input, supporting heterogeneous environments
UI Integration: Ensured discovered data and lifecycle alerts flow smoothly into the platform UI with clear visual cues
Data Ingestion: Automated updates from vendor lifecycle databases without requiring platform downtime

Key Features Implemented

Automated Device Discovery: Probes network segments automatically to identify and inventory all connected devices
Multi-Vendor API Integration: Connects to diverse vendor APIs (Cisco, Juniper, HP, etc.) through standardized interfaces
Real-Time Inventory Updates: Continuously refreshes device data to maintain accurate, current information
Lifecycle Date Tracking: Stores and monitors EOL, EOS, and other critical lifecycle milestones for every device
Proactive Alert System: Generates alerts when devices approach end-of-life or end-of-support dates
Visual Dashboard Integration: Displays lifecycle status with color-coded indicators for at-a-glance understanding
Comprehensive Documentation: Detailed API documentation and schemas for maintainability
UI Branding Consistency: Updated all user-facing labels and CTAs across the platform for consistent branding

Implementation Approach

Designed extensible discovery framework supporting addition of new vendor types without code changes
Built robust data pipelines for ingesting lifecycle information from multiple industry sources
Implemented scalable polling mechanisms to handle networks with thousands of devices
Created automated test suites for discovery accuracy and lifecycle alert reliability
Collaborated closely with front-end team to ensure seamless UI integration
Conducted iterative validation with engineering and operations teams
Established version-controlled deployment process with rigorous QA
Updated all platform branding elements for consistency across existing and new pages

Technology Stack

.NET Backend Services: Core logic for discovery, data processing, and API integration
Multi-Vendor APIs: SNMP, REST APIs, and vendor-specific interfaces for device data
Discovery & Tracking Pipelines: Custom pipelines for network crawling and inventory updates
EOL/EOS Data Models: Comprehensive data structures for lifecycle tracking and alerting
SQL Server: Database schema evolution for lifecycle fields without downtime
Automated Testing: Comprehensive test suites ensuring reliability and accuracy
API Documentation: Detailed developer documentation for maintainability

         Results & Impact
        Real-Time, Accurate Visibility: Network operators now see newly onboarded devices immediately in the dashboard with current inventory data
Proactive Lifecycle Management: EOL/EOS alerts enable administrators to plan upgrades or replacements in advance, reducing security and reliability risks
On-Time, High-Quality Delivery: Both initiatives completed on schedule and passed rigorous quality standards despite complexity
Reduced Onboarding Friction: Automated discovery eliminated manual configuration for each new hardware model
Eliminated Manual Tracking: Automated EOL/EOS tracking replaced manual spreadsheets, saving significant labor hours
Lowered Security Risk: Proactive alerts prevent unsupported devices from remaining in production, reducing vulnerability exposure
Prevented Unexpected Failures: Early warnings enable planned maintenance rather than reactive emergency responses
Improved Compliance Posture: Comprehensive lifecycle tracking supports regulatory compliance requirements

      

Key Highlights

Extensible architecture supporting easy addition of new vendor types
Zero-downtime deployment for all platform enhancements
Scalable design handling networks with thousands of devices
Industry-standard protocol support (SNMP, REST, vendor-specific APIs)
Comprehensive audit trail for all discovery and lifecycle events
Automated data synchronization with external lifecycle databases
Clear visual indicators for device status and lifecycle stage
Enterprise-grade testing and documentation for maintainability

Operational Improvements

Reduced Manual Effort

Automating the discovery of new device types cut down manual effort and configuration errors. Teams no longer needed to write custom code for each new hardware model.

Eliminated Tracking Overhead

By automating EOL/EOS tracking, manual spreadsheets and date checks were eliminated. This saved many labor hours and prevented oversight that could lead to using unsupported equipment.

Lowered Risk Profile

Having up-to-date lifecycle data and multi-vendor support significantly lowers the chance of unexpected failures or security incidents. Experts note that neglecting to track EOL/EOS can lead to costly network downtime and vulnerabilities.

Accelerated Issue Resolution

Direct visibility into current device inventory lets teams address issues faster and with confidence in the data accuracy.

"I wanted to take a moment to extend my sincerest thanks and appreciation for the exceptional work you delivered on our recent NUVIZ projects. Your team’s dedication and technical expertise were evident from the beginning. You took on two complex initiatives—first, adding new devices for discovery and tracking in NUVIZ, and second, integrating robust EOL/EOS functionality—with enthusiasm and professionalism. Thanks to your careful planning, clear communication, and relentless problem-solving, both projects were completed on time and to a high-quality standard. Key highlights of your outstanding work include:"

Seamless Device Onboarding & Tracking

You rapidly assessed our requirements, developed a scalable discovery pipeline, and ensured accurate, real-time tracking of every new device type. Your proactive testing and documentation made hand-off to our operations team exceptionally smooth.

Comprehensive EOL/EOS Integration

Implementing end-of-life and end-of-support functionality demanded close coordination across hardware APIs, database schema updates, and user-interface adjustments. Your team navigated these complexities flawlessly, delivering a clear, user-friendly EOL/EOS module that aligns perfectly with NuPSYS’s strategic objectives.

Collaborative Spirit & Responsiveness

Throughout both engagements, you maintained open communication lines, promptly addressed feedback, and adjusted priorities as our business needs evolved. Your responsiveness and flexibility were critical to keeping both projects on track.

Meeting & Exceeding Expectations

The results not only met but, in many cases, exceeded nuPSYS’s expectations. We’re already seeing the benefits of real-time device visibility and proactive lifecycle management in our day-to-day operations. Thank you again for your dedication, technical skill, and collaborative approach. It has been a pleasure working with the GoBrilliant team, and I look forward to our continued partnership on future initiatives.

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Network Platform Enhancements for Device Visibility & Lifecycle Management