Python for Network Engineers: Python Network Automation Course

Python Network Automation

Next Course Starts August 30

Starter Package

Nine core lessons including videos and exercises

Not available

Plus Package

Nine core lessons including videos and exercises
Community Forum
Bonus Lesson on XML & Juniper Automation

Not available

Premium Package

Nine core lessons including videos and exercises
Community Forum
Bonus Lesson on XML & Juniper Automation
Additional Exercises, Examples, and Solutions

Not available

If you are not happy with the course, there is a 30-day money back guarantee. No questions asked.

"the course was excellent and hugely enjoyable. It was learning Python focused, on using it to automate networking tasks, which made the course very relevant...I have recommended this and the beginner course to a number of colleagues and will continue to do so."

Course Syllabus

CLASS1 - Course Introduction, Git Basics, JSON/YAML Files, CiscoConfParse

Course introduction
Why Python? Python2 versus Python3
Working with Git
JSON and YAML data formats
Parsing Cisco configs with CiscoConfParse

CLASS2 - Telnetlib, SNMP, Managing Python Libraries

telnetlib basics
Python and SNMP
Managing Python libraries (basics)

CLASS3 - SNMPv3, Graphing, and Email Notifications

SNMPv3
Retrieving interface data using SNMPv3
Graphing SNMP data
Using Python to send email notifications

CLASS4 - Paramiko SSH, Pexpect, Netmiko

Connecting to network devices using Paramiko SSH
Pexpect basics
Network device management using Netmiko

CLASS5 - Arista's eAPI

eAPI introduction
JSON and eAPI Request Structure
Using eAPI from Python
Making configuration changes via eAPI

CLASS6 - Jinja2 Templating, NX-OS NX-API

Jinja2 Templating, Part1
Jinja2 Templating, Part2
NX-OS NX-API

CLASS7 - NAPALM

NAPALM Intro and Getters
NAPALM Configuration Merge
NAPALM Configuration Replace
NAPALM and Configurating Templating

CLASS8 - Integrating to a Database, SSH and Concurrency

Using Django's ORM
Basic CRUD
Primary and foreign Keys
SSH and concurrency

CLASS9 - Writing Reusable Code

Writing reusable code
Functions
Classes
Modules and Packages

Bonus Lesson - XML & Juniper Automation (Plus and Premium Packages only)

XML Basics
Traversing XML, XPath
XML Conversion to Python Data Structures
PyEZ Basics
PyEZ Load and Commit
PyEZ and Custom RPC Requests

Bonus Lesson - Additional Exercises, Examples, and Solutions (Premium Package only)

Subject to change (although any changes should be minor)

FAQ

What is the format of the course?

The course is a nine-week email-course. Each week you will receive a lesson that contains a set of videos, some additional content, and some exercises. I will post solutions to the exercises online. Both the Plus and the Premium Package have a community forum where you can ask questions, post code, and interact with me and with the other students.

Is there a lab environment?

Yes, the lab environment will consist of a set of virtual and physical network devices and at least one AWS-Linux server. I will install a set of libraries in the lab environment; this will enable you to get working quickly. From the lab environment you will be able to use Paramiko SSH, Netmiko, Arista's eAPI, NAPALM, NX-API, and PySNMP.

What are the prerequisites for the course?

You should be familiar with the basics of Python. You can be slow at writing Python code, but these ideas should not be new to you.

You also need to be familiar with basic network engineering (routing, switching, SNMP, Cisco CLI configuration).

Finally, since the lab environment will use Linux. You should be at least somewhat familiar with Linux. You should know the basics of how to move around the file system, execute a script, and edit a file.

Why Python?

Python facilitates writing clean, readable code and is natively present on Linux and MacOS. Python has gained widespread support in the networking community both from engineers and from vendors. Python has a large, active community and, consequently, numerous resources are available to you (libraries, documentation, books, tutorials, etc.).

What is the community forum?

The community forum is a web forum where students can interact, post code, ask questions, and make recommendations on general Python resources. Students that purchase either the Plus or the Premium Package will have access to the community forum for the duration of the course.

What if I am unsatisfied with the course after I sign-up?

If you are not satisfied with the course, there is a 30-day money back guarantee (from the start of the course). No questions asked.

Zack and Me

Coder Me

Zack

About Me:

My name is Kirk Byers.

In the fall of 2010, I started on a journey to: 1)build a product business, 2)become a programmer, and 3)be a father (probably not the best idea to try all these things at once).

I am into Python, networking, and figuring out how to combine them to automate networking tasks.

I am a CCIE (emeritus) in routing and switching and have extensive Python experience. Since early 2014, I have been teaching Python to Network Engineers. Since that time, several thousand individuals have participated in my free Learning Python course.

In addition to teaching, I also created the Netmiko open-source library and am a major contributor to the NAPALM open-source project.

Yes, yes I get it...you are great and all that, but why should I learn Python from you?

I have spent numerous hours over the last six years using Python, studying Python, and teaching Python. From this, I have gained a considerable amount of Python experience and knowledge.