PyCon TW 2020 Talk: Network Automation with Python Supplements

Slides avialable on Speaker Deck

This repository provides demonstration supplement to the PyCon TW 2020 talk: Network Automation with Python. https://tw.pycon.org/2020/en-us/conference/talk/1153041030333858139/

The examples are done via the free sandbox environment provided by https://developer.cisco.com/site/sandbox/, thank you Cisco DevNet! Please feel free to sign up and follow along with the examples provided.

NX-OS Device API Example

The NX-oS Device API Example is done with the Multi-IOS Cisco Test Network Sandbox, https://devnetsandbox.cisco.com/RM/Diagram/Index/037f3542-f1bb-4b70-a0e7-d87f0fa8b75f, with 8 node datacenter setup. This lab is free but requires reservation on the DevNet lab page.

• Pick a NX-OS device (such as dist4) and enable NXAPI feature:

(venv) [developer@devbox user]$ssh cisco@172.16.30.58
Warning: Permanently added '172.16.30.58' (RSA) to the list of known hosts.
User Access Verification
Password:

Cisco NX-OS Software
Copyright (c) 2002-2018, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
Nexus 9000v software ("Nexus 9000v Software") and related documentation,

dist4# confi t
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
dist4(config)# feature nxapi
dist4(config)# nxapi http port 80
dist4(config)# end
dist4# copy run start
[########################################] 100%
Copy complete, now saving to disk (please wait)...
Copy complete.
dist4#

• Click image below for YouTube video

Ansible Example

The Ansible example is based on the same remote lab and device.

(venv) [developer@devbox user]$cat ansible.cfg
[defaults]
host_key_checking = false

(venv) [developer@devbox user]$cat hosts
[nexus-devices]
nxosv-1

(venv) [developer@devbox user]$cat host_vars/nxosv-1
---
ansible_host: 172.16.30.58
ansible_user: cisco
ansible_ssh_pass: cisco
ansible_connection: network_cli
ansible_network_os: nxos
ansbile_become: yes
ansible_become_method: enable
ansible_become_pass: cisco

(venv) [developer@devbox user]$cat my_playbook.yaml
---
- name: My Test Playbook
  connection: network_cli
  gather_facts: false
  hosts: all
  tasks:
    - name: backup
      nxos_config:
        backup: yes
      register: backup_nxos_location
      when: ansible_network_os == 'nxos'

• Click image below for YouTube video

Meraki Controller Example

The Meraki controller example is based on the always-on Meraki lab, but it can also be done with the Meraki reservation labs.

Meraki Dashboard API Reference

Steps:

1. Select Organization and network.
2. Enable API access.
3. Generate API key.
4. Use the API key to retrieve organization ID.
5. Use API endpoint to retrieve information, for example, a list of inventories.

• Click image below for YouTube video