Awesome Network Automation

Overview

Network automation is a cross between the discipline of network infrastructure and programming. This curated list serves as a one-stop shop for information related to network automation.

Core Concepts

Infrastructure as Code

• Version-controlled network configurations
• Declarative infrastructure definitions
• Idempotent operations
• Automated testing and validation
• GitOps workflows

Network APIs

• NETCONF - Network Configuration Protocol
• RESTCONF - REST-based network management
• gNMI - gRPC Network Management Interface
• SNMP - Simple Network Management Protocol

Automation Tools

Configuration Management

• Ansible - Agentless automation with network modules
• SaltStack - Event-driven automation
• Puppet - Declarative configuration management
• Chef - Infrastructure automation

Python Libraries

• NAPALM - Network Automation and Programmability Abstraction Layer
• Netmiko - Multi-vendor SSH library
• Nornir - Multi-threaded automation framework
• PyATS/Genie - Cisco's test automation framework

Vendor-Specific Tools

• Juniper PyEZ - Junos automation
• Arista eAPI - Arista programmability
• Cisco NSO - Network Services Orchestrator
• Nokia pySROS - Nokia SR OS automation

Network Testing

Validation Tools

• Batfish - Network configuration analysis
• Suzieq - Network observability platform
• NetBox - IP address management and network documentation
• pytest - Python testing framework

Continuous Integration

• GitLab CI/CD for network configs
• Jenkins with network plugins
• GitHub Actions for network automation
• Automated compliance checking

Data Modeling

YANG Models

• OpenConfig - Vendor-neutral network models
• IETF standard models
• Vendor-specific extensions
• Model-driven automation

Data Formats

• YAML for configuration
• JSON for APIs
• XML for NETCONF
• Jinja2 for templating

Network Observability

Monitoring

• Prometheus for metrics collection
• Grafana for visualization
• ELK stack for log analysis
• Streaming telemetry (gNMI)

Network Mapping

• Automated topology discovery
• Diagram generation
• LLDP/CDP neighbor discovery
• BGP/OSPF relationship mapping

Use Cases

Common Automations

• Device provisioning (Zero Touch Provisioning)
• Configuration backups and recovery
• Compliance auditing
• Change management
• Network health checks
• Capacity planning

Advanced Applications

• Intent-based networking
• Self-healing networks
• Predictive analytics
• Traffic engineering optimization
• Security policy automation

SDN and Controllers

• OpenDaylight - Modular SDN platform
• ONOS - Carrier-grade SDN controller
• Ryu - Component-based SDN framework
• NSX - VMware network virtualization

DevOps for Networking

Best Practices

• Version control for all configs
• Peer review for changes
• Automated testing in dev/staging
• Incremental rollouts
• Rollback procedures

Skills Required

• Python/Go programming
• REST APIs and HTTP
• YAML/JSON syntax
• Git workflow
• Linux/CLI proficiency

Learning Resources

• Network automation courses
• Hands-on labs (EVE-NG, GNS3)
• Community forums
• Conference talks
• Open-source projects

Pricing

Mostly free and open-source tools; some commercial options available.