Introduction to Python Network Automation Volume II: Stepping up: Beyond the Essentials for Success

Continue your Python network automation journey and delve deeper into advanced techniques and methodologies. Volume 2 of this comprehensive guide takes you beyond the essentials, equipping you with advanced skills and strategies crucial for success in network automation. Building upon the knowledge gained in Volume 1, you’ll set the stage for mastery in this dynamic field. You’ll start by establishing a robust lab environment for advanced automation projects tailored to your needs and use practical exercises to gain valuable insights into essential networking protocols. Then automate repetitive tasks with precision and efficiency by leveraging powerful Python libraries and tools. You’ll also see how to streamline IP address management and data center infrastructure management tasks with Python. Discover advanced techniques for network management and monitoring to optimize network performance and security. Explore the development of custom tools and applications for Cisco IOS upgrade tasks in complex network environments and put your skills to the test with real-world scenarios. All this is designed to solidify your expertise and confidence in network automation practices. Your network management capabilities will be enhanced with advanced tools, such as NetBox. Introduction to Python Network Automation Volume 2 – Stepping up provides a comprehensive roadmap to elevate your skills and excel in the dynamic field of network automation. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the field, this guide equips you with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s network automation landscape. What You Will Learn Apply Python fundamentals and network automation strategies effectively. Utilize Python for streamlined network administration, boosting productivity. Consolidate Linux fundamentals and IP network services for enhanced network management. Practice implementing regular expressions in Python for network application development. Develop working Cisco IOS upgrading Python application in PoC environment. Explore Python’s extensive applications in enterprise network automation for versatile solutions. Table of Contents About the Author About the Technical Reviewer Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Building a Python Network Automation Lab Environment Embarking on the Next Phase of Your Python Network Automation Journey Empowering Your Network Automation Journey with GNS3 and Cisco CML Integration Before Integrating Cisco CML Images in GNS3 Integrating Cisco CML L2 and CML L3 Images on Your GNS3 Installing Cisco CML L2 Switch on GNS3 Quick Ping Test on CML L2 Switch Installing the Cisco CML L3 Router on GNS3 Using the Import Appliance Option Quick Ping Test on the CML L3 Router Building a CML Lab Topology Summary Storytime 1: Still Enjoying the Most Expensive Sandwich in the World Chapter 2: Python Network Automation Labs - Basic Telnet Outline Placeholder Python Network Automation: Network Engineer’s interface Telnet Lab 1: Interactive Telnet Session to Cisco Devices on a Python Interpreter Telnet Lab 2: Configure a Single Switch with a Python Telnet Template Telnet Lab 3: Configure Random VLANs Using a for Loop Telnet Lab 4: Configure Random VLANs Using a while Loop Telnet Lab 5: Configure 100 VLANs Using the for ~ in range Loop Telnet Lab 6: Add a Privilege 3 User on Multiple Devices Using IP Addresses from an External File Telnet Lab 7: Taking Backups of running-config (or startup-config) to Local Server Storage Summary Chapter 3: Python Network Automation Labs: SSH in Action, paramiko and netmiko Labs The Enduring Role of SSH in Network Infrastructure: Navigating the Evolution of Remote Management Tools Python Network Automation Labs Using the paramiko and netmiko Libraries Checking the SSH in Action on a Linux Server Checking the SSH in Action on Cisco Devices Python SSH Labs: paramiko paramiko Lab 1: Configure the Clock and Time Zone of All Devices Interactively in the Python Interpreter paramiko Lab 2: Configuring an NTP Server on Cisco Devices Without User Interaction (NTP Lab) paramiko Lab 3: Create an Interactive paramiko SSH Script to Save Running Configurations to the TFTP Server Python SSH Labs: netmiko Installing the netmiko Library netmiko Lab 1: netmiko Uses a Dictionary for Device Information, Not a JSON Object netmiko Lab 2: Develop a Simple Port Scanner Using a Socket Module and Then Develop a netmiko Disable Telnet Script netmiko Lab 3: config compare Summary Chapter 4: Python Network Automation Labs cron Unveiling the Power of cron in Python Networking Cloning a GNS3 Project for the Next Lab Router Failure Simulation, P1 Network Recovery Lab Pre-Task, Deleting VPCS and Adding More L2 Switches Quick-Start to the Linux Scheduler, cron Ubuntu LTS Task Scheduler: crontab Fedora Task Scheduler: crond Learn cron Job Definitions with Examples Summary Chapter 5: Python Network Automation Labs: SNMP Discovery with Python Bridging Theory and Practice: Learning About SNMP with Python Quick-Start Guide to SNMP Quick SNMP History Types of System Monitoring Comparison Table: SNMP vs. Syslog vs. APIs SNMP Standard Operation SNMP Polling vs. the Trap (Event Reporting) Method SNMP Versions Understanding the SNMP Protocol in the TCP/IP Stack About SNMP Message Types Understanding SNMP’s SMI, MIB, and OID SNMP Access Policy Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Communication While Using SNMP Traps SNMP Tools and Python Integrations Using Python to Run an SNMPv3 Query SNMP-Related Python Libraries Understanding MIBs and OIDs and Browsing OIDs Directly Learning to Use SNMPwalk on a Linux Server Installing and Configuring SNMP Server on Fedora Configuring Cisco Routers and Switches to Support SNMPv3 Using a Python Script Troubleshooting SSH Connections Between Fedora and Cisco Devices Configuring SNMP Agents (engineID, group, and user) on Cisco Devices Doing the SNMPwalk on the Linux Server Borrowing Some Example Python SNMP Code SNMP Lab Source Code SNMPv3 Python Code to Query Cisco Device Information Using Python SNMP Code to Run a Query for an Interface Description Summary Chapter 6: Python Network Automation Virtual Lab 1: Ansible and pyATS in Python virtualenv Python Virtual Lab 1: Ansible and pyATS in Python virtualenv Navigating the Ansible and pyATS Networking Tools Lab 1: Quick-Start Guide to Ansible in virtualenv Installing virtualenv and Getting Started with Ansible Lab 2: Quick-Start Guide to pyATS (Genie) in virtualenv Summary Storytime 2: Doubling Down! Chapter 7: Python Network Automation Virtual Lab 2: Sendmail Email Notification and Twilio SMS Notification on Docker Cost-Efficient IT Operations: Leveraging Docker for Python Networks Expense Optimization in Python Networking: Docker, Kubernetes Impact Python Network Automation Virtual Lab 2: Docker and Twilio SMS Lab 1: Sendmail Lab Using an Imported Docker Image Docker Components, Account Registration, and Installation Docker Installation Procedure Test-Driving Docker Lab 2: Sendmail Python Lab Using Docker Lab Prerequisites Lab 3: Sendmail Email Notification Script Development in Docker Lab 4: CPU Utilization Monitoring Lab: Send an SMS Message Using Twilio Lab 5: TWILIO Account Creation: Install Twilio Python Module and Set Up an SMS Message Lab 6: CPU Utilization Monitoring Lab with an SMS Message Summary Chapter 8: Upgrading Multiple Cisco IOS Routers Empowering Python Network Automation: Unveiling OOP and Real-world Scenarios Applying OOP Concepts to Your Network Managing Flow Control and User Input: UID, PWD, and Information Collection Proactive Patch Management and Zero Trust: Shaping Network Security Router IOS Upgrade Lab Preparation Cisco Catalyst 8000v IOS XE Software and Download Cisco Catalyst 8000v Installation on VMware Workstation How an IOS (IOS XE/XR) Is Upgraded on Cisco Devices Tasks Involved in a Cisco IOS Upgrade Summary Chapter 9: Cisco IOS-XE Upgrade Tools Development Part 1 Mastering Cisco IOS Upgrades using Python: A Comprehensive Guide for Network Engineers Tools Development 1: Network Connectivity and Socket Validation Tool Tools Development 2: Login Credentials and User Input Collector Tools Development 3: Collect a New IOS File Name and MD5 Value from a CSV File Tools Development 4: Check the MD5 Value of the New IOS on the Server Tools Development 5: Check the Flash Size on Cisco Routers Tools Development 6: Make Backups of running-config, Interface Status, and Routing Table Summary Chapter 10: Cisco IOS-XE Upgrade Tools Development: Part 2 Cisco IOS Upgrade Application Development (Continued) Tools Development 7: IOS Uploading and More Pre-check Tools Development Tools Development 8: Check the New IOS MD5 Value on the Cisco Device’s Flash Tools Development 9: Options to Stop or Reload the Routers Tools Development 10: Check the Reloading Device and Perform a Post-Reload Configuration Verification Summary Storytime 3: IT Evolution: Unraveling the Cloud's Impact with Chicken Littles Chapter 11: Upgrading the Application and Routers Python Mastery for Network Automation: Building the Final IOS Upgrade Tool Summary Chapter 12: Installing NetBox (IPAM/DCIM) with Python What Is NetBox, and Why Do You Need It? Some NetBox Features What NetBox Is Not Server Specifications, Dependencies, and Functions NetBox Concept: The “Site” Is the Core of NetBox NetBox IP Address Management (IPAM): High-Level Overview Changing NetBox into Multi-tenancy IPAM NetBox 3 Manual Installation on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS NetBox 3 Automated Python Script Installation on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Summary Storytime 4: Embarking on the Python Programming Odyssey: A Journey of Network Automation and Career Advancement Index Continue your Python network automation journey and delve deeper into advanced techniques and methodologies. Volume 2 of this comprehensive guide takes you beyond the essentials, equipping you with advanced skills and strategies crucial for success in network automation. Building upon the knowledge gained in Volume 1, you’ll set the stage for mastery in this dynamic field. You’ll start by establishing a robust lab environment for advanced automation projects tailored to your needs and use practical exercises to gain valuable insights into essential networking protocols. Then automate repetitive tasks with precision and efficiency by leveraging powerful Python libraries and tools. You’ll also see how to streamline IP address management and data center infrastructure management tasks with Python. Discover advanced techniques for network management and monitoring to optimize network performance and security. Explore the development of custom tools and applications for Cisco IOS upgrade tasks in complex network environments and put your skills to the test with real-world scenarios. All this is designed to solidify your expertise and confidence in network automation practices. Your network management capabilities will be enhanced with advanced tools, such as NetBox. Introduction to Python Network Automation Volume 2 - Stepping up provides a comprehensive roadmap to elevate your skills and excel in the dynamic field of network automation. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the field, this guide equips you with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in today's network automation landscape. Who This Book Is ForIT engineers and developers, network managers and students, who would like to learn network automation using Python.