Python, Linux & NetDevOps Toolset for Network Automation and Programmability
This course gives you the foundational skills and knowledge you need for network automation and programmability. The course focuses on key tools and practices in NetDevOps. You will learn how to install and use Linux operating system and the Python programming language for network programming and automation.
The foundation to becoming a DevOps Engineer is learning python programming in a Linux environment and building on that by learning DevOps tools such as Docker, Postman, Git, and Jenkins among others. In this course, we will cover the following topics among others:
Main Topics
Setting and using a virtual development environment.
· Linux and basic Linux commands and operations.
· Python programming for Network Engineers
· Version Control with Git and Github.
· Container Technology with Docker.
· Software Engineering for Network Engineers.
· Understanding and using Application Programming Interface.
· Working with API Documentation.
· Continuous Integration – Continuous Delivery (CI-CD).
· Jenkins - Building a CI-CD Pipeline Using Jenkins.
After the training in Linux and Python, the course delves into the practical use of various NetDevOps tools and platforms such as Git/Github, Docker, Postman and Jenkins. Furthermore, the course will also guide you systematically on how you can use the Application Programming Interface (API) and data structures for secure remote communications between various platforms. You will learn how to work with XML, JSON and YAML. You will also practically learn how to access, configure and manage various network devices using protocols such as NETCONF and RESTCONF.
The conventional methods of accessing and configuring network devices are with the Simple Network Management Protocol and the command-line interface. These methods are manual and require the intervention of a network support engineer or technician. The necessity to physically access devices and to manually manage or configure them delays resolving critical network issues and configurations. Some network issues, such as security breaches, require immediate redress because significant delays can interfere with or affect critical business processes. They may also have adverse effects if the network supports critical services.
Modern cultural practices involve remote support, work from home, and distributed responsibilities. Automation of most network tasks, such as device configuration, management, security, and monitoring, is essential in that kind of environment. This course equips you with the skills you can use to leverage the capabilities of modern networking devices because they are developed with their programmability in mind.
While developing software for automating devices. Network engineers should embrace a DevOps approach. DevOps stands for Development and Operations and is a practice that calls for automation of the software development process using various automation tools. The approach also requires collaboration between development and operation teams in iterative software development, testing, and deployment process. The practice of employing DevOps for network automation and programming is referred to as NetDevOps.
In NetDevOps, standardized network device APIs and software automation tools are used to configure, manage and monitor network devices. NetDevOps workflows use Open Source, standards, and Python scripts alongside commercial devices and tools to deliver flexible, secure, and fast-responsive networks. NetDevOps brings the culture, tools, technical methods, and best practices from DevOps to Networks.
It combines the culture, tools, best practices, and ideas from DevOps with network engineering; and is about automation, configuration management, monitoring, Continuous Integration - Continuous Delivery, ChatOps, and so much more.
