Like sysadmins before them, network engineers are finding that they cannot do their work manually anymore. As the field faces new protocols, technologies, delivery models, and a pressing need for businesses to be more agile and flexible, network automation is becoming essential. This practical guide shows network engineers how to use a range of technologies and tools—including Linux, Python, JSON, and XML—to automate their systems through code. Network programming and automation will help you simplify tasks involved in configuring, managing, and operating network equipment, topologies, services, and connectivity. Through the course of the book, you’ll learn the basic skills and tools you need to make this critical transition. This book covers: Python programming basics: data types, conditionals, loops, functions, classes, and modules Linux fundamentals to provide the foundation you need on your network automation journey Data formats and models: JSON, XML, YAML, and YANG for networking Jinja templating and its applicability for creating network device configurations The role of application programming interfaces (APIs) in network automation Source control with Git to manage code changes during the automation process How Ansible, Salt, and StackStorm open source automation tools can be used to automate network devices Key tools and technologies required for a Continuous Integration (CI) pipeline in network operations

Modernize and optimize network management with APIs and automation Legacy network management approaches don't scale adequately and can't be automated well. This guide will help meet tomorrow's challenges by adopting network programmability based on Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Using these techniques, you can improve efficiency, reliability, and flexibility; simplify implementation of high-value technologies; automate routine administrative and security tasks; and deploy services far more rapidly. Four expert authors help you transition from a legacy mindset to one based on solving problems with software. They explore today's emerging network programmability and automation ecosystem; introduce each leading programmable interface; and review the protocols, tools, techniques, and technologies that underlie network programmability. You'll master key concepts through hands-on examples you can run using Linux, Python, Cisco DevNet sandboxes, and other easily accessible tools. This guide is for all network architects, engineers, operations, and software professionals who want to integrate programmability into their networks. It offers valuable background for Cisco DevNet certification—and skills you can use with any platform, whether you have software development experience or not. Master core concepts and explore the network programmability stack Manage network software and run automation scripts in Linux environments Solve real problems with Python and its Napalm and Nornir automation frameworks Make the most of the HTTP protocol, REST architectural framework, and SSH Encode your data with XML, JSON, or YAML Understand and build data models using YANG that offer a foundation for model-based network programming Leverage modern network management protocols, from gRPC and gNMI to NETCONF and RESTCONF Meet stringent service provider KPIs in large-scale, fast-changing networks Program Cisco devices running IOS XE, IOS XR, and NX-OS as well as Meraki, DNA Center, and Webex platforms Program non-Cisco platforms such as Cumulus Linux and Arista EOS Go from “zero to hero” with Ansible network automation Plan your next steps with more advanced tools and technologies

Today, networks must evolve and scale faster than ever. You can’t manage everything by hand anymore: You need to automate relentlessly. YANG, along with the NETCONF, RESTCONF, or gRPC/gNMI protocols, is the most practical solution, but most implementers have had to learn by trial and error. Now, Network Programmability with YANG gives you complete and reliable guidance for unlocking the full power of network automation using model-driven APIs and protocols. Authored by three YANG pioneers, this plain-spoken book guides you through successfully applying software practices based on YANG data models. The authors focus on the network operations layer, emphasizing model-driven APIs, and underlying transports. Whether you’re a network operator, DevOps engineer, software developer, orchestration engineer, NMS/OSS architect, service engineer, or manager, this guide can help you dramatically improve value, agility, and manageability throughout your network. Discover the value of implementing YANG and Data Model-Driven Management in your network Explore the layers and components of a complete working solution Build a business case where value increases as your solution grows Drill down into transport protocols: NETCONF, RESTCONF, and gNMI/gRPC See how telemetry can establish a valuable automated feedback loop Find data models you can build on, and evaluate models with similar functionality Understand models, metadata, and tools from several viewpoints: architect, operator, module author, and application developer Walk through a complete automation journey: business case, service model, service implementation, device integration, and operation Leverage the authors’ experience to design successful YANG models and avoid pitfalls

Improve operations and agility in any data center, campus, LAN, or WAN Today, the best way to stay in control of your network is to address devices programmatically and automate network interactions. In this book, Cisco experts Ryan Tischer and Jason Gooley show you how to do just that. You’ll learn how to use programmability and automation to solve business problems, reduce costs, promote agility and innovation, handle accelerating complexity, and add value in any data center, campus, LAN, or WAN. The authors show you how to create production solutions that run on or interact with Nexus NX-OS-based switches, Cisco ACI, Campus, and WAN technologies.You’ll learn how to use advanced Cisco tools together with industry-standard languages and platforms, including Python, JSON, and Linux. The authors demonstrate how to support dynamic application environments, tighten links between apps and infrastructure, and make DevOps work better. This book will be an indispensable resource for network and cloud designers, architects, DevOps engineers, security specialists, and every professional who wants to build or operate high-efficiency networks. Drive more value through programmability and automation, freeing resources for high-value innovation Move beyond error-prone, box-by-box network management Bridge management gaps arising from current operational models Write NX-OS software to run on, access, or extend your Nexus switch Master Cisco’s powerful on-box automation and operation tools Manage complex WANs with NetConf/Yang, ConfD, and Cisco SDN Controller Interact with and enhance Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) Build self-service catalogs to accelerate application delivery Find resources for deepening your expertise in network automation

New edition of the bestselling guide to mastering Python Networking, updated to Python 3 and including the latest on network data analysis, Cloud Networking, Ansible 2.8, and new libraries Key FeaturesExplore the power of Python libraries to tackle difficult network problems efficiently and effectively, including pyATS, Nornir, and Ansible 2.8Use Python and Ansible for DevOps, network device automation, DevOps, and software-defined networkingBecome an expert in implementing advanced network-related tasks with Python 3Book Description Networks in your infrastructure set the foundation for how your application can be deployed, maintained, and serviced. Python is the ideal language for network engineers to explore tools that were previously available to systems engineers and application developers. In Mastering Python Networking, Third edition, you'll embark on a Python-based journey to transition from traditional network engineers to network developers ready for the next-generation of networks. This new edition is completely revised and updated to work with Python 3. In addition to new chapters on network data analysis with ELK stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana, and Beats) and Azure Cloud Networking, it includes updates on using newer libraries such as pyATS and Nornir, as well as Ansible 2.8. Each chapter is updated with the latest libraries with working examples to ensure compatibility and understanding of the concepts. Starting with a basic overview of Python, the book teaches you how it can interact with both legacy and API-enabled network devices. You will learn to leverage high-level Python packages and frameworks to perform network automation tasks, monitoring, management, and enhanced network security followed by Azure and AWS Cloud networking. Finally, you will use Jenkins for continuous integration as well as testing tools to verify your network. What you will learnUse Python libraries to interact with your networkIntegrate Ansible 2.8 using Python to control Cisco, Juniper, and Arista network devicesLeverage existing Flask web frameworks to construct high-level APIsLearn how to build virtual networks in the AWS & Azure CloudLearn how to use Elastic Stack for network data analysisUnderstand how Jenkins can be used to automatically deploy changes in your networkUse PyTest and Unittest for Test-Driven Network Development in networking engineering with PythonWho this book is for Mastering Python Networking, Third edition is for network engineers, developers, and SREs who want to use Python for network automation, programmability, and data analysis. Basic familiarity with Python programming and networking-related concepts such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) will be useful.

Learn and implement network automation within the Enterprise network using Python 3. This introductory book will be your guide to building an integrated virtual networking lab to begin your Network Automation journey and master the basics of Python Network Automation. The book features a review of the practical Python network automation scripting skills and tips learned from the production network, so you can safely test and practice in a lab environment first, various Python modules such as paramiko and netmiko, pandas, re, and much more. You'll also develop essential skills such as Python scripting, regular expressions, Linux and Windows administration, VMware virtualization, and Cisco networking from the comfort of your laptop/PC with no actual networking hardware. Finally, you will learn to write a fully automated and working Cisco IOS XE upgrade application using Python. Introduction to Python Network Automation uses a canonical order, where you begin at the bottom and by the time you have completed this book, you will at least reach the intermediate level of Python coding for enterprise networking automation using native Python tools. What You'll Learn Build a proper GNS3-based networking lab for Python network automation needs. Write the basics of Python codes in both the Windows and Linux environments. Control network devices using telnet, SSH, and SNMP protocols using Python codes. Understand virtualization and how to use VMware workstation Examine virtualization and how to use VMware Workstation Pro Develop a working Cisco IOS upgrade application Who This Book Is For IT Engineers and developers, network managers and students, who would like to learn network automation using Python.

Become well-versed with network programmability by solving the most commonly encountered problems using Python 3 and open-source packages Key FeaturesExplore different Python packages to automate your infrastructureLeverage AWS APIs and the Python library Boto3 to administer your public cloud network efficientlyGet started with infrastructure automation by enhancing your network programming knowledgeBook Description Network automation offers a powerful new way of changing your infrastructure network. Gone are the days of manually logging on to different devices to type the same configuration commands over and over again. With this book, you'll find out how you can automate your network infrastructure using Python. You'll get started on your network automation journey with a hands-on introduction to the network programming basics to complement your infrastructure knowledge. You'll learn how to tackle different aspects of network automation using Python programming and a variety of open source libraries. In the book, you'll learn everything from templating, testing, and deploying your configuration on a device-by-device basis to using high-level REST APIs to manage your cloud-based infrastructure. Finally, you'll see how to automate network security with Cisco's Firepower APIs. By the end of this Python network programming book, you'll have not only gained a holistic overview of the different methods to automate the configuration and maintenance of network devices, but also learned how to automate simple to complex networking tasks and overcome common network programming challenges. What you will learnProgrammatically connect to network devices using SSH (secure shell) to execute commandsCreate complex configuration templates using PythonManage multi-vendor or multi-device environments using network controller APIs or unified interfacesUse model-driven programmability to retrieve and change device configurationsDiscover how to automate post modification network infrastructure testsAutomate your network security using Python and Firepower APIsWho this book is for This book is for network engineers who want to make the most of Python to automate their infrastructure. A basic understanding of Python programming and common networking principles is necessary.

Power up your network applications with Python programming Key FeaturesMaster Python skills to develop powerful network applicationsGrasp the fundamentals and functionalities of SDNDesign multi-threaded, event-driven architectures for echo and chat serversBook Description This Learning Path highlights major aspects of Python network programming such as writing simple networking clients, creating and deploying SDN and NFV systems, and extending your network with Mininet. You’ll also learn how to automate legacy and the latest network devices. As you progress through the chapters, you’ll use Python for DevOps and open source tools to test, secure, and analyze your network. Toward the end, you'll develop client-side applications, such as web API clients, email clients, SSH, and FTP, using socket programming. By the end of this Learning Path, you will have learned how to analyze a network's security vulnerabilities using advanced network packet capture and analysis techniques. This Learning Path includes content from the following Packt products: Practical Network Automation by Abhishek Ratan Mastering Python Networking by Eric ChouPython Network Programming Cookbook, Second Edition by Pradeeban Kathiravelu, Dr. M. O. Faruque SarkerWhat you will learnCreate socket-based networks with asynchronous modelsDevelop client apps for web APIs, including S3 Amazon and TwitterTalk to email and remote network servers with different protocolsIntegrate Python with Cisco, Juniper, and Arista eAPI for automationUse Telnet and SSH connections for remote system monitoringInteract with websites via XML-RPC, SOAP, and REST APIsBuild networks with Ryu, OpenDaylight, Floodlight, ONOS, and POXConfigure virtual networks in different deployment environmentsWho this book is for If you are a Python developer or a system administrator who wants to start network programming, this Learning Path gets you a step closer to your goal. IT professionals and DevOps engineers who are new to managing network devices or those with minimal experience looking to expand their knowledge and skills in Python will also find this Learning Path useful. Although prior knowledge of networking is not required, some experience in Python programming will be helpful for a better understanding of the concepts in the Learning Path.

* Covers low-level networking in Python —essential for writing a new networked application protocol. * Many working examples demonstrate concepts in action -- and can be used as starting points for new projects. * Networked application security is demystified. * Exhibits and explains multitasking network servers using several models, including forking, threading, and non-blocking sockets. * Features extensive coverage of Web and E-mail. Describes Python's database APIs.

Network engineers are finding it harder than ever to rely solely on manual processes to get their jobs done. New protocols, technologies, delivery models, and the need for businesses to become more agile and flexible have made network automation essential. The updated second edition of this practical guide shows network engineers how to use a range of technologies and tools, including Linux, Python, APIs, and Git, to automate systems through code. This edition also includes brand new topics such as network development environments, cloud, programming with Go, and a reference network automation architecture. Network Programmability and Automation will help you automate tasks involved in configuring, managing, and operating network equipment, topologies, services, and connectivity. Through the course of the book, you'll learn the basic skills and tools you need to make this critical transition. You'll learn: Programming skills with Python and Go: data types, conditionals, loops, functions, and more How to work with Linux-based systems, the foundation for modern networking and cloud platforms Data formats and models: JSON, XML, YAML, and YANG Jinja templating for creating network device configurations The role of application programming interfaces (APIs) in network automation Source control with Git to manage code changes during the automation process Cloud-native technologies like Docker and Kubernetes How to automate network devices and services using Ansible, Salt, and Terraform Tools and technologies for developing and continuously integrating network automation