API integration - Learn Tech From Zero

3.2 Given a scenario, use network monitoring technologies

API stands for Application Programming Interface.
Think of it as a messenger or bridge between two software programs.
APIs allow one program to request or send information to another program without the user manually doing it.

In IT terms:

A network monitoring tool might use an API to collect data from routers, switches, servers, or cloud services automatically.
Example: Your monitoring software can query a server’s CPU usage via an API instead of someone manually logging into the server.

API integration means connecting two or more software systems using APIs so they can exchange data automatically.
This is very common in network monitoring because modern IT environments have many devices and services.

Key idea:

Instead of manually collecting information from each network device, you use an API to automate data collection and centralize monitoring.

Automation:
- Automatically collect performance metrics, logs, or alerts from network devices.
- Example: A monitoring tool uses APIs to get real-time CPU and memory usage from servers.
Centralized Data:
- Integrates data from multiple systems (servers, firewalls, cloud platforms) into a single dashboard.
- Example: Combining logs from a firewall, VPN, and cloud services to see all security alerts in one place.
Real-Time Alerts:
- APIs allow immediate notification of network issues.
- Example: If a switch goes down, an API sends an alert to your monitoring system instantly.
Custom Reports and Analytics:
- You can use APIs to pull historical data for performance analysis.
- Example: Generate monthly reports on bandwidth usage across all network devices.

Here’s a step-by-step simplified view:

Monitoring Tool Requests Data:
- The monitoring tool calls an API on a device or software service.
- Example: GET /cpu_usage or GET /network_traffic.
Device/Service Responds:
- The API sends back structured data, usually in JSON or XML format.
- Example JSON response: { "device": "Switch01", "cpu_usage": 45, "memory_usage": 60 }
Monitoring Tool Processes Data:
- The tool interprets the data and updates dashboards, logs, or triggers alerts if thresholds are exceeded.
Automated Actions (Optional):
- Some integrations allow the monitoring tool to take action through the API.
- Example: Automatically restart a service if CPU usage exceeds 90%.

REST API (Representational State Transfer):
- Most common type. Uses standard web protocols (HTTP/HTTPS).
- Simple requests like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE to interact with data.
SOAP API (Simple Object Access Protocol):
- Older standard, uses XML for structured messages.
- More strict, less commonly used today, but some legacy network devices still support it.
Streaming APIs:
- Data is continuously sent in real-time instead of periodic requests.
- Useful for real-time monitoring of logs or network traffic.

Server Monitoring:
- Monitoring tool calls API to check CPU, memory, disk usage.
- If CPU > 90%, tool sends alert to the admin.
Cloud Service Monitoring:
- API collects bandwidth or security logs from cloud platforms like AWS or Azure.
- Example: Detects failed login attempts or unusual traffic spikes.
Firewall/Network Device Integration:
- API gathers traffic stats, blocked connections, or interface status from routers and firewalls.
Ticketing System Integration:
- Monitoring tool automatically opens a ticket in systems like ServiceNow when a device goes down.

Definition: API = a way for programs to communicate.
Purpose: Automates data collection and integration in monitoring systems.
Types: REST, SOAP, Streaming APIs.
Use Cases: Device monitoring, cloud services, firewalls, ticketing systems.
Benefits: Automation, centralized data, real-time alerts, improved reporting.

✅ Tip for remembering:
Think of API integration as a “network monitoring bridge” that connects all your IT systems to a single control point.