Mastering Network Programmability: Tips & Tools
Network Automation and Hardware Programming
Hi, in today’s blog, we take a look at network automation and hardware programming.
Network automation and programmability are now significant parts of the CCNA training. Reflecting the industry’s shift towards a more efficient and scalable network management solutions. The current CCNA certification program includes topics such as:
- Comparison of traditional networks with controller-based networking
- Describing controller-based and software-defined architectures
- Understanding REST-based APIs and configuration management mechanisms
Network Automation
Network Automation refers to the use of software to automatically manage, configure, test, deploy, maintain and operate network devices. It reduces the manual effort, minimizes human error, and increases efficiency in network management. This is becoming a desperate strategy as organizations have started to struggle with an increased network complexity and scale. Automation has evolved from an optional capability to an essential element of efficient network operations.
Core components and functionality
Network automation works by implementing programmatic logic. It is similar to “if X, then Y” decision statements to manage and schedule various network tasks. Network administrators can utilize:
- Tools integrated directly into networking platforms
- OEM(Original Equipment Manufacturer) or third-party automation scripts
- Centralized SDN (Software-Defined Networking) controllers
- APIs and graphical interfaces for more user-friendly implementations
Modern automation platforms increasingly incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to analyze network patterns. This helps in delivering predictive analytics and elasticity, and offer valuable recommendations for network optimization.
Benefits of Network Automation
Implementing network automation delivers several significant advantages, the notable being:
- Improved efficiency by reducing manual interventions and enabling superior management of network resources.
- Reduced human error in configuration and management tasks.
- Lower operating expenses compared to manual network management.
- Enhanced service availability through consistent configuration and faster troubleshooting.
- Scalability to manage growing networks without proportional increases in staff.
Useful Automation Tools
The network automation landscape includes various tools with different capabilities:
- Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform (Industry recommended) : An open-source tool for configuration management and network orchestration with multi-vendor support.
- Puppet: Simplifies management of multi-vendor environments with automation scripts and real-time reporting.
- NetBrain: Provides intent-based automation with real-time visual mapping of network topology.
- Napalm: A Python-based tool offering a standardized API for interacting with network devices.
- Netmiko and Nornir: Python libraries that simplify device interaction and allow customizable automation scripts.
Network Programmability
This involves controlling network functionality and behavior through programming, often using APIs and other tools. It allows for more tailored and flexible network solutions.
Get Preyaspatel’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
It represents a fundamental shift towards a software driven control compared to a traditional device by device approach.
How Network Programmability Works
Network programmability works by using APIs and programmable interfaces to control network devices and services. This allows for dynamic adjustments and configurations. It separates the underlying physical hardware from the control software of network devices. This enables the software to have a broader view of the entire network. This separation creates what’s often described as a “10,000-foot overview” of the network, allowing centralized management and orchestration.
Benefits of Network Programmability
Implementing network programmability offers numerous advantages:
Key Advantages
- Efficiency: Streamlines network operations by automating routine tasks.
- Scalability: Easily adapts to growing network demands without manual intervention.
- Flexibility: Allows for dynamic adjustments to network configurations.
- Cost Savings: Reduces operational costs by minimizing manual labor and lowering long-term expenses.
- Rapid Deployment: Enables quick implementation of new services and updates.
- Improved Resource Allocation: Better allocation of bandwidth and network resources.
- Enhanced Security: Networks can be programmed to block malware or other malicious traffic without disrupting users.
Key Technologies
There is a suit of several technologies that enable and support network programmability:
- APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): These are the primary interface between the network and controlling system in a programmable environment. These allow software applications to interact with network devices.
- SDN (Software-Defined Networking): Separates control and data planes for better flexibility, enabling centralized network management.
- NFV (Network Functions Virtualization): Replaces hardware-based network functions with software implementations.
- YANG: A data modeling language used to model configuration and state data manipulated by network protocols like NETCONF and RESTCONF.
Tools and Technologies
Several tools and technologies are central to network automation and programmability:
- APIs and Protocols
- REST-based APIs: Used for interacting with network devices programmatically
- NETCONF and RESTCONF: Protocols for configuring network devices
- Red Hat Ansible, Puppet and Chef are unilaterally available for both.
Conclusion
As we move forward in 2025, I feel that network automation is going to be an important aspect of networking. As organizations gear up for an increase in users, it would be smart to add these skills into your arsenal.
Originally published at http://preyasnetworks.wordpress.com on March 7, 2025.
