Getting Started with Network Automation
Network automation has shifted from a niche skill to a mainstream, essential capability for network engineers. While many find it intimidating and outside their comfort zone, learning some automation is now a necessity. This overview introduces practical approaches using Python and Ansible to demonstrate how common network tasks can be automated, highlighting the benefits and trade-offs of each.
Network Automation is Software Development
It is important to realize that network automation is in fact software development and while we encourage every network engineer to get familiar with this environment, it is critical that IT management understand their strategic approach so they can support and fund appropriately. As a manager, you need to ask yourself, is your strategy to skill up your team? or will you bring in software developers to work with your team?
Obstacles to Getting Started
Engineers face several challenges when beginning their automation journey:
| Tools | The abundance of frameworks and options can be overwhelming. |
| Skills | Coding knowledge and familiarity with automation platforms are required. |
| Environments | Building a reliable environment for experimentation takes planning. |
| Time | Learning and experimentation must fit into busy schedules. |
Tools and Frameworks
Two primary frameworks dominate entry-level automation:
| Python | Flexible, script-based approach with rich libraries (e.g., Netmiko). |
Ansible
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Declarative playbooks for scalable and repeatable tasks. |
Supporting tools include YAML, JSON, and XML for data representation, plus version control systems for managing automation code.
Skills and Environment Setup
Success depends on selecting one framework to start with and becoming proficient before expanding. Engineers should:
Learn foundational coding or playbook concepts.
Incorporate revision control early.
Choose a development environment (local Python setup or Ansible installation).
Minimize unnecessary “side trips” into overly complex setups.
Testing Environments
Hands-on practice is critical. Options include:
Physical labs: Personal gear or workplace labs.
Virtual labs: There are many options today to get you up an running with a virtual lab. We strongly recommend Containerlab but there are also options like GNS3, CML, Cisco DevNet sandboxes, Docker images, or other virtualized platforms. These provide affordable, scalable environments for experimentation.
This practical comparison helps engineers see how each tool approaches the same network task.
Getting started with network automation requires overcoming initial obstacles through deliberate tool selection, skill development, and hands-on practice. A quick-start strategy is to begin small, experiment in test environments, and embrace “side trips” as valuable learning opportunities. The key is to step outside your comfort zone and steadily build automation into everyday network engineering.
