Network Programmability and Automation: Skills for the Next-Generation Network Engineer
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Like sysadmins before them, network engineers are finding that they cannot do their work manually anymore. As the field faces new protocols, technologies, delivery models, and a pressing need for businesses to be more agile and flexible, network automation is becoming essential. This practical guide shows network engineers how to use a range of technologies and toolsâ??including Linux, Python, JSON, and XMLâ??to automate their systems through code.
Network programming and automation will help you simplify tasks involved in configuring, managing, and operating network equipment, topologies, services, and connectivity. Through the course of the book, youâ??ll learn the basic skills and tools you need to make this critical transition.
This book covers:
Python programming basics: data types, conditionals, loops, functions, classes, and modules Linux fundamentals to provide the foundation you need on your network automation journey Data formats and models: JSON, XML, YAML, and YANG for networking Jinja templating and its applicability for creating network device configurations The role of application programming interfaces (APIs) in network automation Source control with Git to manage code changes during the automation process How Ansible, Salt, and StackStorm open source automation tools can be used to automate network devices Key tools and technologies required for a Continuous Integration (CI) pipeline in network operations
From the Publisher
From the Preface
Who Should Read This Book
The goal of the book is to equip readers with foundational knowledge and a set of baseline skills in the areas of network programmability and automation. We believe that members of several different IT disciplines will benefit from reading this book.
Network Engineers
Given the focus on network programmability and automation, it’s natural that one audience for this book is the “traditional” network engineer, someone who is reasonably fluent in network protocols, configuring network devices, and operating and managing a network. We believe this book will enable today’s network engineers to be more efficient and more productive through automation and programmability.
Prerequisites: Network engineers interested in learning more about network programmability and automation don’t need any previous knowledge in software development, programming, automation, or DevOps-related tools. The only prerequisite is an open mind and a willingness to learn about new technologies and how they will affect you-the networking professional-and the greater networking industry as a whole.
Systems Administrators
Systems administrators, who are primarily responsible for managing the systems that connect to the network, may already have previous experience with some of the tools that are discussed in this book (notably, Linux, source code control, and configuration management systems). This book, then, could serve as a mechanism to help them expand their knowledge and understanding of such tools by presenting them in a different context (for example, using Ansible to configure a network switch as opposed to using Ansible to configure a server running a distribution of Linux).
Prerequisites: What this book doesn’t provide is any coverage or explanation of core networking protocols or concepts. However, as a result of managing network-connected systems, we anticipate that many systems administrators also have a basic knowledge of core networking protocols. So most experienced systems administrators should be fine. If you’re a bit weak on your networking knowledge, we’d recommend supplementing this book with a book that focuses on core networking concepts and ideas. For example, ‘Packet Guide to Core Network Protocols’ (O’Reilly) may be a good choice.
Software Developers
Software developers may also benefit from reading this book. Many developers will have prior experience with some of the programming languages and developer tools discussed in this book (such as Python and/or Git). Like systems administrators, developers may find it useful to see developer tools and languages used in a networking-centric context (for example, seeing how Python could be used to retrieve and store networking-specific data).
Prerequisites: We do assume that readers have a basic understanding of core network protocols and concepts, and all the examples we provide are networking-centric examples. As with systems administrators, software developers who are new to networking will probably find it necessary to supplement the material in this book with a book that focuses on core networking concepts.
How This Book Is Organized
This book isn’t necessarily intended to be read from start to end; instead, we’ve broken the topics up so that you can easily find the topics in which you’re most interested. You may find it useful to start out sequentially reading the first three chapters, as they provide background information and set the stage for the rest of the book. From there, you’re welcome to jump to whatever topic or topics are most useful or interesting to you. We’ve tried to keep the chapters relatively standalone, but-as with any technology-that’s not always possible. Wherever we can, we provide crossreferences to help you find the information you need.
ASIN : 1491931256
Publisher : O’Reilly Media; 1st edition (March 27, 2018)
Language : English
Paperback : 581 pages
ISBN-10 : 9781491931257
ISBN-13 : 978-1491931257
Item Weight : 1.47 pounds
Dimensions : 5.91 x 0.59 x 9.84 inches
Customers say
Customers find the content useful and thorough, covering a good amount to get started in automation. They also say the book is impressive and covers a lot to get you started.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Tristan Ziemann –
amazing book
Thus covered the basics and intermediates of everything I needed to know. Good read for a16 hour flight . Thanks
Brandon –
Extremely Well Organized. Almost every paragraph seems like useful information. Impressed.
I’m about 150 pages in to this book. I think the book is very straight to the point. Its name basically says it. Python, Linux, Automation in general, etc, are all being covered and the authors do a great job in keeping the examples and teachings directly geared towards networking. It’s pretty easy to read in my opinion. Very well organized. Meant to be modular, meaning the authors state that you should be able to skip to chapters if you need to without having to rely on the previous chapters.What I’d recommend, before diving too heavily in to this book is to actually write a simple python program. Then when you go in to that chapter, it’s like a lightning round. Also, if you’ve had very little or no Linux experience, please install it on something and play around. Follow along with the Linux chapter and solidify what he’s teaching. After the Python chapter (#4), I would think you’re most likely learning something new, requiring a bit of knowledge from the first 4 chapters.
Michael –
Great Book
This is a great book that covers a lot of information useful for network engineers. I have been exposed to the topics this book covers over the past 3 years and it really does a good job explaining them. If you are a network engineer you probably already know that SDN is where Network Engineering is headed. If not then get this book and start learning. This book isn’t the only book you need to read though, there are many but this is a great start. I gave this 4 stars because the screenshots used in the examples are poorly printed. You can barely see the image. I don’t’ care they are not in color, but they could have at least done a better job ensuring the images are viewable.
David –
Frankly, there’s no better resource to start with.
I’ve been interested in upgrading my automation skills for a couple years now, but it is a pretty intimidating task, especially if you come from a traditional network engineering job with little scripting experience like me. This book covers so many topics that will get you up in running, from basic python, to making mass changes and config management with Ansible, even how to convince your boss this is the way you should stream things. Absolute MUST for any network engineer.
Travis –
A great book to get you updated on skills
Today’s networks are more and more ran by software and to be a network engineer requires you to come to terms with that. This book helps a lot. It’s been a brilliant read so far and I highly recommend it, especially if you’re a network engineer that has very little experience in SDN. This book isn’t a step-by-step howto guide, but it is a guide that will help get your mind on the right track.
mohakha3 –
One of the best book on network automation
This should be the de facto book for anyone who want to start reading about network automation. Every chapter is very well written and content is lucid. This book will teach you something about everything related to network automation. And the best part, unlike other specific vendor books, this book is vendor agnostic.
Hermann Tajo Deutcho –
but I am a little bit disappointed on how this is organized
The content covers everything you need to kick start with python for network engineers, but I am a little bit disappointed on how this is organized. Most of the topics covered in the book are available online. Why should I bother buying this book if I cannot get good recipes for automation? Plus, The book is printed in B&W. How in the world could people still print book in B&W? with illustrations inside ? not fun to read at all …
Eric Chou –
Change your mindset, change your [network engineer] future
Network engineering is in a paradigm shift in both mindset and technology. This book offers a solid foundation for both technical details and ‘soft skill’ such as culture and mindset. I am impressed with the breadth and depth that the authors are able to cover in such a broad landscape. This book deserves a place on any network engineer’s bookshelf.
Cliente Amazon –
Otimo livro para engenheiros de rede que querem ingressar no mundo da programação.
Artux –
Un buen libro con muy buen contenido y muy claro
novolyus –
El libro es un ‘must’ para introducirse en el mundo del Network Automation. Incluye una introducción de Python, Ansible, Linux, Salt, REST-API, Git… Si no sabes como empezar o quieres una buena introducción este es tu libro.El autor Jason Edelman es un personaje reputado en el mundillo, colabora con Ansible y tiene una web llamada Network to Code muy interesante.
Client Kindle –
Ce livre est très bien écrit. Rien de superflu.Il se lit facilement et donne des bases solide pour l’automatisation réseau.
Mr. S. E. Clark –
This is one of those books you can go back to time after time. I first read this cover to cover and it was awesome, even as a person who does a lot of network automation this books gave me so much information. You can tell that the authors have put a lot of thought into each chapter so people get the most of each example and code sample. I often go back to this books when i want to refresh on something i have not used in a while and it is serving me well. Huge thanks to all those who made this books really awesome.