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# Design Philosophy

The following tenets drive the direction of Nautobot.

## Replicate the Real World

Careful consideration has been given to the data model to ensure that it can accurately reflect a real-world network. For instance, IP addresses are assigned not to devices, but to specific interfaces attached to a device, and an interface may have multiple IP addresses assigned to it.

## Serve as a Source of Truth (SoT)

Nautobot intends to represent the desired state of a network versus its operational state. While Apps can be built and integrated with Nautobot to extend its capabilities to various aspects of the operational state, the core platform's focus is on the desired state.

## Serve as a Network Automation Platform

Nautobot intends to be a vehicle to deliver high-value network automation apps. Using the extensible App system, users have the choice and freedom to create the integrations that make sense for them.

## Ensure Maximum Flexibility & Extensibility

While Nautobot intends to replicate the real world and offer opinionated models to get started defining the intended state of the network, it is understood that organizations and networks have unique design considerations that may need to be addressed in the SoT or Network Automation Platform. Nautobot strives to enable flexibility and extensibility to power and automate all types of networks.

## Keep it Simple

When given a choice between a relatively simple 80% solution and a much more complex complete solution, the former will typically be favored. This ensures a lean codebase with a low learning curve.