This disclosure relates to automatically configuring a front-haul switched Ethernet network for a C-RAN. The topology of the front-haul switched Ethernet network is automatically discovered. One or more switches in the front-haul switched Ethernet network are automatically configured. The configuration of the one or more switches in the front-haul switched Ethernet network is automatically verified. The discovered topology can be automatically verified. Also, the discovered topology or the configuration of the front-haul switched Ethernet network can be automatically validated to check if it corresponds to a network design for the front-haul switched Ethernet network.