ipSpace.net » Building Network Automation Solutions » Getting Started

The initial module of the course covers the big picture:

• What is network automation?
• How do I build a full-blown network automation solution?
• Network automation services you might need
• Reusable components within these services
• Useful network automation tools (and how to select them)

We'll also talk about

• Data sources (databases, text files… ) and single source of truth
• Data collection systems
• Monitoring and orchestration

We’ll prepare for our automation journey by revisiting a few oft-ignored truths:

• Learn to walk before you try to run - start with read-only access
• Don’t try to boil the ocean - solve one small problem at a time
• Create reusable building blocks instead of humongous conglomerates of code
• Get executive sponsorship and professional help

The non-programmers in the audience will also appreciate these topics:

• The need for computational thinking
• You’ll get lost without source code control and versioning
• Refactoring is inevitable - get used to it
• Error handling and unit tests are your friends

Hands-on Exercises

In the hands-on part of the course you’ll build your own lab, either using virtual devices or physical gear. If you decide to go with the virtual device approach, you can choose between Arista vEOS, Cisco VIRL, Cisco CSR, Cumulus VX, Juniper vSRX or Juniper vMX.

You’ll also get familiar with Git, create your own Github account and create your own exercises repository.

Guest Speakers

Guest speakers in this module include:

• Patrick Ogenstad talking about his network automation journey
• Elisa Jasinska explaining network automation system design
• Scott Lowe introducing Git and GitHub
• Matt Oswalt describing how to build your own virtual network automation lab
• Matthias Luft pointing out the pitfalls of open-source supply chain security

DescriptionOutlineMaterialsExercises