Ansible 201 - Network Automation with Ansible

Course Overview

No two networks are the same! This Network Automation training course teaches students to blend Python skillsets with Ansible through the lens of automating networks. Continue your studies of Ansible, with a focus on automating common elements within the network. In addition to Ansible, students will study enough Python to understand Ansible’s plugin architecture. Lessons and labs focus on using both Python and Ansible to interact with and configure your network devices. At the conclusion of this course you will return to work empowered with skills necessary to automate network management. This class is a combination of live demonstrations and hands-on labs with virtual network devices and endpoints as targets for your configuration.

Who Should Attend

Network Administrators
Ansible Developers
Python Developers
Administrators interested in Automation
Individuals interested in devops, specifically for networking

Course Objectives

Version controlling code with Git
Open SSH sessions and pass commands to remote servers
Remotely open CLI to network devices
Move files via SFTP
Overview of Ansible modules
Ansible collections for network automation
Custom Ansible modules with Python
Best practices for automating the management and configuration of network devices
AI LLM prompt engineering for Python snippets and jumpstarting solutions

Course Outline

Critical Python Catch Up & Review

Overview of Python and Ansible
Python whitespace rules & best practices
Conditional expressions
Relational and Boolean operators
Lists, Tuples, Dictionarie
Indexing and slicing
Built-in functions
Writing custom functions
Getting at methods
Iterating with Loops (for and while)
Working with files
Software Control Management (SCM) (Git, Github, Bitbucket, Cloudshare, etc.)
Getting at RESTful interfaces with Python
Working with JSON
Python, Ansible and Paramiko
Using Paramiko to SSH with keys and passwords

Ansible Essentials

Ansible keywords
YAML and JSON for data exchange
Ansible and YAML
Ansible Playbook components
Tying together Python and Ansible – Using Python within Ansible
Ansible Network Modules
Network Agnostic modules
Writing network playbooks

Blending Python and Ansible Skillsets

Review how to use Python within Ansible
Calling Python scripts with Ansible
Jinja2 Templating Engine for Python (and Ansible)
Using Templates in Ansible playbooks
Jinja2 filters, looping, and other useful tricks for automating with Ansible
Playbook tagging for selective runs
When to use Python and when to use Ansible
“Big Picture” options for using Python & Ansible within your Network
Ansible Roles
Extending Ansible to support Palo Alto (Optional - Case Study)
Extending Ansible to support Juniper vendor modules (Optional - Case Study)
Extending Ansible to support NAPALM

Customizing Ansible with Python

Review – Running Scripts with Ansible
Prompting for Ansible user input
Ansible Galaxy & Getting at Roles
Writing a custom Ansible Module with Python
Ansible “Engine” vs Ansible “Tower” – marketing hype, capabilities, costs, etc.
Case Study: Automate your Enterprise Network
When to use Python and when to use Ansible
Writing your own Ansible modules in Python
“Big Picture” options for using Python & Ansible within your Network
Overview - NETCONF / YANG and what they mean for Python and Ansible
Molecule – Testing your roles

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Class Dates & Times

Class times are listed Central time

This is a 5-day class

Register for Class

Register	When	Time	Where	How
Register	05/06/2024	9:00AM - 5:00PM	Online	VILT
Register	07/08/2024	9:00AM - 5:00PM	Online	VILT
Register	09/30/2024	9:00AM - 5:00PM	Online	VILT
Register	12/16/2024	9:00AM - 5:00PM	Online	VILT

San Jacinto College