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Automating Networks with Python

Nick Russo

Every network engineer knows it; automation is coming. Python is the de-facto standard for automated network operations these days, and for good reason. Join me to explore a variety of popular and modern Python tools to solve real business problems.

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Every network engineer knows it; automation is coming. Python is the de-facto standard for automated network operations these days, and for good reason. Join me to explore a variety of popular and modern Python tools to solve real business problems.

Many want to automate their production networks but simply don't know how. In this course, Automating Networks with Python, you will learn foundational knowledge of/gain the ability to overcome this challenge. First, you will learn how to collect information from, and make updates to, network devices using legacy SSH command-line methods. This includes diving into tools like Paramiko, Netmiko, and NAPALM. Next, you will discover how to write custom parsers for more advanced CLI-based automation, to include unit testing with pytest. Finally, you will explore how to use modern APIs and their supporting technologies, including NETCONF, RESTCONF, and YANG. When you’re finished with this course, you will have the skills and knowledge of automated network management needed to design, implement, and maintain professional-grade infrastructure as code solutions for your business.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Reorienting Python for Network Applications
Automating Networks with Paramiko and Netmiko
Responsibly Parsing Text Using Python
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Abstracting Network Automation Tasks with NAPALM
Orchestrating Complex Processes with Nornir
Advancing beyond SSH: Automating with APIs
Writing Production-grade Python Code

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores Python's network applications, helping learners to automate networks
Uses industry-standard tools like Paramiko and Netmiko for network automation
Develops skills in parsing CLI and using libraries like Nornir
Taught by seasoned instructor Nick Russo with broad experience in network automation
Covers modern APIs like NETCONF, RESTCONF, and YANG, providing an up-to-date understanding

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Automating Networks with Python with these activities:
Review bash scripting basics
Review the basics of bash scripting to strengthen your foundation for network automation.
Browse courses on Bash
Show steps
  • Review built-in bash commands
  • Practice creating and executing simple bash scripts
Develop a Python script for a basic network task
Create a Python script to automate a common network task, such as gathering device information or configuring basic settings, to enhance your understanding of network programmability.
Show steps
  • Identify a simple network task to automate
  • Design the script's logic and functionality
  • Code and test the Python script
Write a technical blog post on a network automation topic
Write a technical blog post on a network automation topic to share your knowledge, demonstrate your understanding, and contribute to the network automation community.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific network automation topic
  • Research and gather information
  • Write and format the blog post
  • Publish and promote the blog post
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Mentor a junior network engineer in network automation
Mentor a junior network engineer in network automation to share your knowledge, support their growth, and contribute to the development of the next generation of network professionals.
Show steps
  • Connect with a junior network engineer who seeks guidance
  • Share your knowledge and expertise in network automation
  • Provide feedback and support on their network automation projects
Explore advanced Python libraries for network automation
Follow online tutorials to expand your knowledge of Python libraries such as Netmiko, NAPALM, and Nornir, enhancing your ability to build robust network automation solutions.
Show steps
  • Identify a specific Python library to explore
  • Find and follow a reputable online tutorial
  • Complete the tutorial exercises and practice examples
Solve network automation challenges using Python
Practice solving network automation challenges using Python to improve your problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding of the course concepts.
Show steps
  • Find online coding challenges or exercises
  • Attempt to solve the challenges using Python
  • Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement
Contribute to an open-source network automation project
Contribute to an open-source network automation project to gain practical experience, enhance your skills, and connect with the network automation community.
Show steps
  • Identify an open-source network automation project
  • Review the project's documentation and codebase
  • Identify a feature or bug to contribute to
  • Develop and test your contribution
Build a network automation project using Python
Develop a network automation project using Python to automate a complex or real-world network task, showcasing your skills and reinforcing your understanding of the course material.
Show steps
  • Define the project scope and objectives
  • Design and plan the project architecture
  • Implement and test the project solution
  • Document and present the project

Career center

Learners who complete Automating Networks with Python will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Network Automation Engineer
A Network Automation Engineer designs, develops, and implements automated solutions to improve network performance, efficiency, and security. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed in this role by providing a foundation in Python programming and its application to network automation. You will learn how to use Python to interact with network devices, parse text, abstract network automation tasks, and orchestrate complex processes. This knowledge will enable you to build and maintain automated solutions that can optimize network operations and reduce manual labor.
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps Engineer collaborates with development and operations teams to automate and streamline the software development and deployment process. This course can help you gain the skills needed for this role by providing a foundation in Python programming and its application to network automation. You will learn how to use Python to interact with network devices, parse text, abstract network automation tasks, and orchestrate complex processes. This knowledge will enable you to build and maintain automated solutions that can improve the efficiency and reliability of the software development and deployment process.
Site Reliability Engineer
A Site Reliability Engineer designs, implements, and maintains automated solutions to ensure the reliability and performance of IT systems. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed in this role by providing a foundation in Python programming and its application to network automation. You will learn how to use Python to interact with network devices, parse text, abstract network automation tasks, and orchestrate complex processes. This knowledge will enable you to build and maintain automated solutions that can monitor and manage IT systems to ensure their reliability and performance.
Network Architect
A Network Architect designs, plans, and implements network infrastructure solutions. This course can help you gain the skills needed for this role by providing a foundation in Python programming and its application to network automation. You will learn how to use Python to interact with network devices, parse text, abstract network automation tasks, and orchestrate complex processes. This knowledge will enable you to design and implement automated solutions that can optimize network performance, efficiency, and security.
Network Security Engineer
A Network Security Engineer designs, implements, and maintains network security solutions. This course can help you gain the skills needed for this role by providing a foundation in Python programming and its application to network automation. You will learn how to use Python to interact with network devices, parse text, abstract network automation tasks, and orchestrate complex processes. This knowledge will enable you to build and maintain automated solutions that can monitor and manage network security to protect against threats and vulnerabilities.
Cloud Architect
A Cloud Architect designs, plans, and implements cloud computing solutions. This course may be useful for this role by providing a foundation in Python programming and its application to network automation. While not directly related to cloud computing, the skills you will learn in this course can be applied to automating cloud-based network infrastructure.
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist collects, analyzes, and interprets data to extract insights and solve business problems. This course may be useful for this role by providing a foundation in Python programming. While not directly related to data science, Python is a widely used programming language in the field and can be used for data analysis and machine learning.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. This course may be useful for this role by providing a foundation in Python programming. While not directly related to software engineering, Python is a widely used programming language in the field and can be used for web development, mobile development, and other software development tasks.
Systems Administrator
A Systems Administrator manages and maintains computer systems and networks. This course may be useful for this role by providing a foundation in Python programming and its application to network automation. While not directly related to systems administration, Python can be used to automate system administration tasks such as user management, software installation, and system monitoring.
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator manages and maintains database systems. This course may be useful for this role by providing a foundation in Python programming. While not directly related to database administration, Python can be used to automate database administration tasks such as data backup, data recovery, and performance tuning.
Cybersecurity Analyst
A Cybersecurity Analyst investigates and responds to cybersecurity threats and incidents. This course may be useful for this role by providing a foundation in Python programming. While not directly related to cybersecurity, Python can be used to automate cybersecurity tasks such as security monitoring, threat detection, and incident response.
Quality Assurance Engineer
A Quality Assurance Engineer tests and evaluates software applications to ensure they meet quality standards. This course may be useful for this role by providing a foundation in Python programming. While not directly related to quality assurance, Python can be used to automate quality assurance tasks such as test automation and defect tracking.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst gathers and analyzes business requirements to help organizations improve their processes and systems. This course may be useful for this role by providing a foundation in Python programming. While not directly related to business analysis, Python can be used to automate business analysis tasks such as data analysis and process modeling.
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer creates and maintains technical documentation for software, hardware, and other products. This course may be useful for this role by providing a foundation in Python programming. While not directly related to technical writing, Python can be used to automate technical writing tasks such as documentation generation and content management.
Project Manager
A Project Manager plans, executes, and closes projects to achieve specific goals and objectives. This course may be useful for this role by providing a foundation in Python programming. While not directly related to project management, Python can be used to automate project management tasks such as project planning, resource allocation, and risk management.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Automating Networks with Python.
Is an excellent resource for network engineers who want to learn how to use Python to automate their tasks. It covers a wide range of topics, including how to use Python to interact with network devices, parse text data, and write custom scripts.
If you're looking to enhance the general Python knowledge you'll be building in this course, Automating Python for Network Professionals may be useful, particularly if you're stepping into Python from another background.
Gentle introduction to using Python for network programming. It covers a wide range of topics, including how to use Python to create network sockets, send and receive data, and write custom network applications.
Fast-paced introduction to Python programming. It covers a wide range of topics, including how to use Python to work with data, create graphical user interfaces, and write web applications.
Comprehensive introduction to Python programming. It covers a wide range of topics, including how to use Python to work with data, create graphical user interfaces, and write web applications.
Popular introduction to Python programming. It covers a wide range of topics, including how to use Python to automate tasks, work with data, and create graphical user interfaces.
Collection of recipes for solving common Python programming problems. It covers a wide range of topics, including how to use Python to work with data, create graphical user interfaces, and write web applications.
Comprehensive reference to the Python standard library. It covers a wide range of topics, including the Python modules, functions, and classes.

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