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Python for Network Engineers
- Categories:
- Software and DevOps Infrastructure and Networking
- Level:
- Intermediate
- Code:
- TPNETPYTHON
- Exam:
- Not Applicable
Overview
This Python course focusses on teaching Python for use in network automation and network DevOps.
We focus on getting delegates up and running with Python and network automation as quickly as possible rather than making them great programmers. In other words we concentrate on enabling delegates to use network automation libraries such as netmiko and NAPALM and APIs such as NETCONF rather than enabling delegates to produce object oriented programs. Hands on sessions use Cisco and Juniper devices. Save time automating network tasks with python.
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisite courses, just a good knowledge of how IP works.
A good suggested course would be TCP/IP foundation for engineers
What's included
Select your preferred way to learn:
What is Classroom?
Hands-on, instructor-led training delivered in a QA learning centre
In-person training in a dedicated QA learning centre. Learners benefit from expert-led sessions, collaborative activities, and structured, hands-on workshops in a distraction-free environment. If you can’t attend in person, many classroom courses are also available to attend remotely.
Classroom sessions can be arranged on request. Please contact your account manager to discuss availability in your region
Best for: Individuals and teams who benefit from deep focus, direct interaction, and practical, hands-on learning.
What's included?
5 Days instructor led course
6 month free access to QA learning platform
Free 6-Month Access: Learning Platform Discovery plan
Included FREE with every instructor‑led course
Get free guided access to the QA Learning Platform. Assess your skills, explore in-demand topics, and understand which areas to focus on.
Learn AI, Cloud, Data, and Leadership skills at your own pace.
Put skills into practice with hands-on Labs and Simulabs.
Validate knowledge and highlight gaps with skills assessments.
What is bespoke training?
Custom instructor-led training designed by QA to fit your needs
Tailored programmes built around your organisation’s goals, challenges, and skill levels. Delivered in the format that suits you to maximise relevance and impact.
Best for: Organisations and teams looking to target specific business priorities and capabilities with QA subject matter expertise.
Find out more about the course:
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course delegates will be able to:
- Run Python programs. Read Python programs.
- Write Python programs.
- Debug Python programs.
- Automate network tasks with Python programs.
- Configure network devices with Python.
- Collect data from network devices with Python.
Course outline
What is Python?
Programming languages, Why Python? Python in interactive mode, Python scripts, ipython, Python version 2 versus version 3. A simple Python script. Comments.
Hands on Installing Python, Hello world.
A network example
On box vs off box Python. telnet, ssh, NETCONF, HTTP, APIs, manufacturers and API support, analysis of a simple telnetlib program.
Hands on Using Python to retrieve the configuration from a network device. Using wireshark to analyse the actions.
Python basics
I/O, operators, variables and assignment, types, indentation, loops and conditionals.
Hands on Modifying the telnet program, changing configurations on a network devices.
Functions, classes and methods
What are functions, calling functions, builtin functions, useful builtin functions, file handling, classes, objects, creating instances.
Hands on Storing configurations in files, configuring devices from files, using an inventory file to work on multiple devices.
Libraries and modules
Modules, files and packages, import, from-import, Python standard library, other packages, pip install, executing other programs. Managing python libraries.
Hands on Using pip, installing and using ipaddress, subprocess to access netsnmp. For the more advanced, using the sockets library.
Paramiko and netmiko
SSH, enabling SSH on devices, keys. Paramiko versus netmiko, example scripts. pexpect.
Hands on Configuring VLANs from Python.
pySNMP
Gathering facts using previous methods, SNMP review, pySNMP GET, pySNMP and SNMPv3. easySNMP library.
Hands on Walking a MIB from Python.
NETCONF
What is NETCONF? Enabling NETCONF on devices, A first ncclient script, device handlers, get_config, edit_config, copy_config, delete_config, commit, validate, pyEZ, utils_config, utils.sw.
Hands on Configuration using ncclient and PyEZ. This session is expanded for those interesting in JunOS automation.
Manipulating configuration files
Builtin functions, string handling. Unicode. Sequences, strings, lists, tuples. Dictionaries. TextFSM. Regular expressions. JSON, YAML, XML, YANG, Jinja2, templates.
Hands on Jinja2 templating with Python to configure network devices.
NAPALM
Getters, configuration operations, supported devices, NAPALM transport, Config-replace, Config-merge, Compare config, Atomic changes, rollback. Example NAPLAM scripts.
Hands on Using NAPALM to gather facts, Using NAPALM for configuration management
REST and RESTCONF
What is REST, HTTP methods, GET, POST, cURL, Postman, Python requests library. RESTCONF, a RESTCONF example.
Hands on Modifying a configuration using RESTCONF.
Scapy
What is scapy, Scapy in interactive mode, Scapy as a module.
Hands on Packet crafting from Python.
Warning
Errors and exceptions, Exception handling, try, except. Memory management. Garbage collection. Context management, With.
Hands on Improving Python code.
Nornir
What is Nornir? A network automation framework, inventories, connection management and parallelization. Nornir architecture and other libraires.
Hands on Setting up nornir, nornir fact gathering, nornir tasks.
Optional
Writing your own functions, Writing your own classes. pyntc.
Hands on Writing reusable code.
Good to know
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What our customers are saying
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