# SwiNOG 40: Trustworthy Network Automation

DevFeed: [SwiNOG 40: Trustworthy Network Automation](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/swinog-40-trustworthy-network-automation-11229.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://blog.ipspace.net/2025/08/swinog40-automation-trust/>)

Published: 2025-08-20T05:53:00Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [ipSpace.net blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/ipspace-net-blog.md>)

Topics: [Network](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/network.md>), [Automation](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/automation.md>), [Testing](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/testing.md>)

Tags: [automation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/automation.md>), [declarative](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/declarative.md>), [network](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/network.md>), [network-automation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/network-automation.md>), [testing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/testing.md>), [version-control](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/version-control.md>)

## AI overview

A SwiNOG 40 presentation by Damien Garros discusses principles for building trustworthy network automation, including idempotency, dry runs, transactional changes, declarative design, version control, and testing.

## Source excerpt

The SwiNOG 40 event started with an interesting presentation on Building Trustworthy Network Automation (video) by Damien Garros (now CEO @ OpsMill) who discussed the principles one can use to build a trustworthy network automation solution, including idempotency, dry runs, and transactional changes. He also covered the crucial roles of the declarative approach, version control, and testing. If you have ever watched any of my network automation materials, you won't be surprised by anything he said, but if you're just starting your network automation journey, you MUST watch this presentation to get your bearings straight.