Introduction to Python Network Automation. Volume II: Stepping up Beyond the Essentials for Success. 2 Ed

Table of Contents....5

About the Author....11

About the Technical Reviewer....12

Acknowledgments....13

Introduction....14

Chapter 1: Building a Python Network Automation Lab Environment....17

Embarking on the Next Phase of Your Python Network Automation Journey....18

Empowering Your Network Automation Journey with GNS3 and Cisco CML Integration....19

Before Integrating Cisco CML Images in GNS3....20

Integrating Cisco CML L2 and CML L3 Images on Your GNS3....22

Installing Cisco CML L2 Switch on GNS3....24

Quick Ping Test on CML L2 Switch....34

Installing the Cisco CML L3 Router on GNS3 Using the Import Appliance Option....40

Quick Ping Test on the CML L3 Router....54

Building a CML Lab Topology....56

Summary....66

Storytime 1: Still Enjoying the Most Expensive Sandwich in the World....67

Chapter 2: Python Network Automation Labs - Basic Telnet....69

Outline Placeholder....70

Python Network Automation: Network Engineer’s interface....72

Telnet Lab 1: Interactive Telnet Session to Cisco Devices on a Python Interpreter....76

Telnet Lab 2: Configure a Single Switch with a Python Telnet Template....88

Telnet Lab 3: Configure Random VLANs Using a for Loop....95

Telnet Lab 4: Configure Random VLANs Using a while Loop....102

Telnet Lab 5: Configure 100 VLANs Using the for ~ in range Loop....112

Telnet Lab 6: Add a Privilege 3 User on Multiple Devices Using IP Addresses from an External File....118

Telnet Lab 7: Taking Backups of running-config (or startup-config) to Local Server Storage....128

Summary....135

Chapter 3: Python Network Automation Labs: SSH in Action, paramiko and netmiko Labs....136

The Enduring Role of SSH in Network Infrastructure: Navigating the Evolution of Remote Management Tools....137

Python Network Automation Labs Using the paramiko and netmiko Libraries....138

Checking the SSH in Action on a Linux Server....139

Checking the SSH in Action on Cisco Devices....142

Python SSH Labs: paramiko....144

paramiko Lab 1: Configure the Clock and Time Zone of All Devices Interactively in the Python Interpreter....144

paramiko Lab 2: Configuring an NTP Server on Cisco Devices Without User Interaction (NTP Lab)....177

paramiko Lab 3: Create an Interactive paramiko SSH Script to Save Running Configurations to the TFTP Server....190

Python SSH Labs: netmiko....201

Installing the netmiko Library....202

netmiko Lab 1: netmiko Uses a Dictionary for Device Information, Not a JSON Object....203

netmiko Lab 2: Develop a Simple Port Scanner Using a Socket Module and Then Develop a netmiko Disable Telnet Script....218

netmiko Lab 3: config compare....228

Summary....241

Chapter 4: Python Network Automation Labs cron....243

Unveiling the Power of cron in Python Networking....243

Cloning a GNS3 Project for the Next Lab....244

Router Failure Simulation, P1 Network Recovery....252

Lab Pre-Task, Deleting VPCS and Adding More L2 Switches....258

Quick-Start to the Linux Scheduler, cron....264

Ubuntu LTS Task Scheduler: crontab....265

Fedora Task Scheduler: crond....272

Learn cron Job Definitions with Examples....281

Summary....284

Chapter 5: Python Network Automation Labs: SNMP Discovery with Python....286

Bridging Theory and Practice: Learning About SNMP with Python....287

Quick-Start Guide to SNMP....288

Quick SNMP History....289

Types of System Monitoring....290

Comparison Table: SNMP vs. Syslog vs. APIs....292

SNMP Standard Operation....294

SNMP Polling vs. the Trap (Event Reporting) Method....296

SNMP Versions....296

Understanding the SNMP Protocol in the TCP/IP Stack....297

About SNMP Message Types....298

Understanding SNMP’s SMI, MIB, and OID....299

SNMP Access Policy....299

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Communication While Using SNMP Traps....300

SNMP Tools and Python Integrations....301

Using Python to Run an SNMPv3 Query....303

SNMP-Related Python Libraries....303

Understanding MIBs and OIDs and Browsing OIDs Directly....304

Learning to Use SNMPwalk on a Linux Server....305

Installing and Configuring SNMP Server on Fedora....306

Configuring Cisco Routers and Switches to Support SNMPv3 Using a Python Script....309

Troubleshooting SSH Connections Between Fedora and Cisco Devices....311

Configuring SNMP Agents (engineID, group, and user) on Cisco Devices....325

Doing the SNMPwalk on the Linux Server....338

Borrowing Some Example Python SNMP Code....344

SNMP Lab Source Code....345

SNMPv3 Python Code to Query Cisco Device Information....348

Using Python SNMP Code to Run a Query for an Interface Description....355

Summary....360

Chapter 6: Python Network Automation Virtual Lab 1: Ansible and pyATS in Python virtualenv....361

Python Virtual Lab 1: Ansible and pyATS in Python virtualenv....362

Navigating the Ansible and pyATS Networking Tools....363

Lab 1: Quick-Start Guide to Ansible in virtualenv....364

Installing virtualenv and Getting Started with Ansible....368

Lab 2: Quick-Start Guide to pyATS (Genie) in virtualenv....387

Summary....413

Storytime 2: Doubling Down!....413

Chapter 7: Python Network Automation Virtual Lab 2: Sendmail Email Notification and Twilio SMS Notification on Docker....416

Cost-Efficient IT Operations: Leveraging Docker for Python Networks....417

Expense Optimization in Python Networking: Docker, Kubernetes Impact....419

Python Network Automation Virtual Lab 2: Docker and Twilio SMS....420

Lab 1: Sendmail Lab Using an Imported Docker Image....421

Docker Components, Account Registration, and Installation....423

Docker Installation Procedure....423

Test-Driving Docker....426

Lab 2: Sendmail Python Lab Using Docker....435

Lab Prerequisites....435

Lab 3: Sendmail Email Notification Script Development in Docker....447

Lab 4: CPU Utilization Monitoring Lab: Send an SMS Message Using Twilio....458

Lab 5: TWILIO Account Creation: Install Twilio Python Module and Set Up an SMS Message....459

Lab 6: CPU Utilization Monitoring Lab with an SMS Message....467

Summary....482

Chapter 8: Upgrading Multiple Cisco IOS Routers....483

Empowering Python Network Automation: Unveiling OOP and Real-world Scenarios....483

Applying OOP Concepts to Your Network....484

Managing Flow Control and User Input: UID, PWD, and Information Collection....492

Proactive Patch Management and Zero Trust: Shaping Network Security....501

Router IOS Upgrade Lab Preparation....502

Cisco Catalyst 8000v IOS XE Software and Download....503

Cisco Catalyst 8000v Installation on VMware Workstation....505

How an IOS (IOS XE/XR) Is Upgraded on Cisco Devices....519

Tasks Involved in a Cisco IOS Upgrade....520

Summary....524

Chapter 9: Cisco IOS-XE Upgrade Tools Development Part 1....525

Mastering Cisco IOS Upgrades using Python: A Comprehensive Guide for Network Engineers....525

Tools Development 1: Network Connectivity and Socket Validation Tool....528

Tools Development 2: Login Credentials and User Input Collector....546

Tools Development 3: Collect a New IOS File Name and MD5 Value from a CSV File....553

Tools Development 4: Check the MD5 Value of the New IOS on the Server....566

Tools Development 5: Check the Flash Size on Cisco Routers....574

Tools Development 6: Make Backups of running-config, Interface Status, and Routing Table....580

Summary....585

Chapter 10: Cisco IOS-XE Upgrade Tools Development: Part 2....586

Cisco IOS Upgrade Application Development (Continued)....587

Tools Development 7: IOS Uploading and More Pre-check Tools Development....587

Tools Development 8: Check the New IOS MD5 Value on the Cisco Device’s Flash....606

Tools Development 9: Options to Stop or Reload the Routers....620

Tools Development 10: Check the Reloading Device and Perform a Post-Reload Configuration Verification....639

Summary....654

Storytime 3: IT Evolution: Unraveling the Cloud's Impact with Chicken Littles....655

Chapter 11: Upgrading the Application and Routers....657

Python Mastery for Network Automation: Building the Final IOS Upgrade Tool....658

Summary....722

Chapter 12: Installing NetBox (IPAM/DCIM) with Python....723

What Is NetBox, and Why Do You Need It?....723

Some NetBox Features....726

What NetBox Is Not....726

Server Specifications, Dependencies, and Functions....726

NetBox Concept: The “Site” Is the Core of NetBox....728

NetBox IP Address Management (IPAM): High-Level Overview....728

Changing NetBox into Multi-tenancy IPAM....729

NetBox 3 Manual Installation on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS....730

NetBox 3 Automated Python Script Installation on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS....750

Summary....773

Storytime 4: Embarking on the Python Programming Odyssey: A Journey of Network Automation and Career Advancement....774

Index....776

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.

Who This Book Is For

IT engineers and developers, network managers and students, who would like to learn network automation using Python.