Intermediate Python for Network Engineers [IPYNE]

OVERVIEW

The Intermediate Python for Network Engineers (IPYNE) course is tailored for network professionals seeking to expand their skills in network programmability and automation using Python. Ideal for those looking to deepen their knowledge this course emphasises practical applications that enhance network efficiency and reduce repetitive tasks through automation. Participants will gain hands-on experience with real-world use cases, such as automating device configurations, managing network inventories and integrating with Cisco products such as  IOS XE, Meraki, and ThousandEyes using REST APIs. The course introduces intermediate programming concepts such as creating modular and reuseable code with object-oriented programming, building simple web interfaces with Flask, and leveraging large language models for intelligent automation workflows.  Upon completion, you will be able to design and implement Python-based automation solutions that interact with network infrastructure and streamline operational tasks.  

OBJECTIVES

After completing this course you should be able to:

• Describe Python’s versatility and suitability for network programmability and automation 
• Explain why network programmability is needed and how it enables modern network automation 
• Describe programmatic interaction with network devices and the benefits of network automation for scaling from traditional to programmable networks 
• Identify practical examples and existing Python tools for network automation 
• Write and run basic Python scripts, demonstrating foundational syntax, elements (variables, data types, operators), and logic (decisions and loops) 
• Introduce standard and third-party libraries, the import statement, and using the Python interpreter 
• Demonstrate hands-on interaction with Python, including accepting input and performing basic network tasks (e.g., connectivity checks) 
• Emphasize code styles, readability, and development environment setup, including Python installation, VS Code, virtual environments, Docker, and Git 
• Implement Python tools for automating device inventory, including data storage with variables, grouping devices with lists and dictionaries, iterating and filtering device data, and file operations (load/save) 
• Organize code with functions and develop scripts for inventory management 
• Use external libraries (e.g., Netmiko) for SSH connections and scaling network configurations with Python and templates 
• Parse and analyze device output, handle exceptions, and build CLI applications for device management 
• Implement tools for testing and validating device state using PyATS and Genie, including retrieving and verifying configuration data 
• Demonstrate Python context managers, parsing outputs, performing compliance validation, and running scripts on Cisco IOS-XE devices (Guest Shell) 
• Create tools for backing up device configs, automating backup storage with Git, comparing configs, and periodic backups with logging 
• Use PyATS for configuration comparison and automate backup processes 
• Describe HTTP REST API fundamentals, interactive documentation, and creating API requests in Python 
• Parse JSON data, automate interactions with APIs (e.g., Cisco Meraki Dashboard, ThousandEyes), and manage authentication securely 
• Demonstrate creating, configuring, and analyzing network tests and monitoring data with API scripts 
• Explain the importance of debugging, logging, unit testing, and integrating scripts with CI/CD pipelines 
• Handle API errors, implement rate limiting/retries, and introduce telemetry collection with OpenTelemetry

AUDIENCE

Professionals looking to enhance their automation skills through Python and Cisco APIs

CERTIFICATION

Recommended as preparation for the following exams:

• There are no exams currently aligned to this course.

CONTENT

Python Programming for Network Engineers

• The need for Network Programmability and Automation
• What is Network Programmability
• Benefits of Network Automation
• Automation and Programmability on Network Devices
• Introduction to the Python Programming Language
• Python for Network Automation Tasks

Write Your First Python Scripts

• Python Syntax
• Building Blocks of Python Programs
• Control the Flow of Python Program Execution
• Python Libraries
• Run Python Programs
• Read User Inputs
• Python Code Style and Standards

Python Development Environment Setup

• Python Installation
• Setting Up VS Code
• Python Virtual Environments
• Development Inside a Container
• Introduction to Git for Version Control

Device Inventory Automation

• Capturing Device Details with Variables
• Organizing Device Inventories with Lists and Dictionaries
• Iterating Through Devices
• Making Decisions About Device Status
• Loading and Displaying the Inventory
• Saving the Inventory
• Structuring Python Scripts Using Functions

Scale Configuration of Network Devices

• Connecting to Devices with SSH and Sending CLI Commands
• Scaling Device Configuration
• Validating Device Configurations by Parsing Command Outputs
• Handling Exceptions When Connecting to Devices
• Adding Network Command Execution to the CLI

Network Monitoring and Validation

• Getting Started with pyATS and Genie for Network Validation and Test Automation
• Retrieving Network Configuration and States
• Managing External Resources with Context Managers
• Parsing and Validating Configuration Outputs
• Testing Configuration Compliance
• Automating Connectivity and Health Checks
• Executing Python Scripts on Cisco IOS XE Software Using Guest Shell

Device Configuration Backup Automation

• Backing Up and Versioning Device Configuration with Git
• Comparing Configurations with Backup
• Backing Up and Comparing Configurations Using pyATS
• Logging Scheduled Backups

HTTP API Fundamentals

• HTTP REST API Overview
• API Documentation
• Python API Requests
• JSON Response Parsing and Processing

Cisco ThousandEyes Network Insights with HTTP API Automation

• Secure Authentication Setup
• Cisco ThousandEyes Test Creation
• Network Monitoring Data Collection
• Type Hints in Network Automation Scripts

Network Automation Debugging and Testing

• Introduction to Debugging in Python
• Set Up Python Logging
• Test Your Network Automation Scripts
• CI/CD Pipeline Integration for Network Automation Testing
• Error Handling in API Calls
• API Automation Performance Optimisation
• Monitor Your Python Programs Using Open Telemetry

HTTP API Automation Wrapper

• Reuseable API Wrappers
• Code Organisation with Modules and Packages
• Object-Oriented Programming Overview
• API Interaction Encapsulation in Python Classes
• Extend the Functionality with Class Methods and Attributes
• API Responses into Python Objects

Build a Web Interface for Network Automation

• Introduction to Flask and Web Development
• Web Development Using Flask
• Network Device Management Using Web Interfaces
• Sending Commands to Devices Through the WebUI
• Adding User Authentication to the Web Interface
• Deploy the Flask Application

Large Language Models for Network Automation

• Introduction to Large Language Models
• Set UP LLM APIs for Python
• Set Up Ollama for Local LLM Inference
• Prompt Engineering for Network Automation

Labs:

• Discovery Lab 1: Interact with Python Using the Interpreter
• Discovery Lab 2: Run Your First Script
• Discovery Lab 3: Install Python and Setup Developer Environment
• Discovery Lab 4: Create a Device Inventory Tool
• Discovery Lab 5: Create a Network Device Configuration Tool
• Discovery Lab 6: Monitor and Validate Device Configurations
• Discovery Lab 7: Create a Backup Tool for Network Configurations
• Discovery Lab 8: Retrieve Data from Cisco Meraki Dashboard API
• Discovery Lab 9: Create and Monitor ThousandEyes Network Tests
• Discovery Lab 10: Write Unit Tests for Network Automation Scripts
• Discovery Lab 11: Harden Automation Scripts with Logging and Error Handling
• Discovery Lab 12: Build a Reusable Cisco ThousandEyes API Automation Wrapper
• Discovery Lab 13: Build a Web Interface for Network Device Management
• Discovery Lab 14: Build a Web Interface for Network Automation
• Discovery Lab 15: Build a Network Automation Tool with Ollama