SCS Connect – AI-powered operations tools – an OVN analyser for OpenStack as a case study

SCS Connect is our webinar series about SCS – with exciting topics ranging from technical insights and practical applications to tips on certification. The webinars are open to everyone and offer space for questions and discussion.

With OVN (Open Virtual Networking), the truth about a Neutron network lies in the northbound and southbound databases. In practice, troubleshooting there means using `ovn-nbctl`, `ovn-sbctl` and `ovs-vsctl`, manually piecing together UUIDs across multiple hosts and working out the connections in your head.
In the first part of the webinar, Christian will introduce „Northwatch“ – an analyzer that connects directly to NB, SB and Open vSwitch, keeps both databases in memory in real time and generates a unified view from them. This includes searching across both databases by IP, MAC or UUID, the correlation of intent and implementation (Logical_Switch_Port, Port_Binding, Chassis), topology visualization, snapshots including diffs and offline replay, as well as the enrichment of UUIDs with Neutron names. Using specific examples – such as unbound ports, outdated entries or divergent flows – it becomes clear which CLI sessions this renders redundant.
The second part focuses on the tool’s development history: from the initial idea, through a README as the earliest artifact, to planning, architectural decisions and implementation using Claude Code – including an honest assessment of what worked well, where domain knowledge remained indispensable, and what this means for the cost-effectiveness of niche tools in operation.

We look forward to exchanging ideas with you!

To participate, please register here for free: https://events.sovereigncloudstack.org/SCSConnect-10/

The webinar will be held in German.

Speaker: Christian Berendt (Founder OSISM GmbH)