Network Automation Toolkit

A lightweight and modular Python toolkit designed for automating Cisco network devices. This project demonstrates how real-world network automation is performed using APIs, SSH-based configuration, and templating, ideal for network engineers starting with Python.

What This Project Demonstrates

• Automating configuration deployment using Netmiko

• Monitoring device interfaces via RESTCONF Fetches the interface status from the device using RESTCONF. Prints the status output to the terminal. Creates a timestamped .txt file in the project directory containing the interface status (or error message).

• Generating device configs using Jinja2 templates

• Organizing device data with YAML-based inventory files

• Secure and modular project structure for easy scaling

Tools & Frameworks Used

• Python - Core scripting language
• Netmiko - SSH-based config automation
• Jinja2 - Templating for config generation
• RESTCONF - API-based interface monitoring
• YAML - Inventory and device data storage
• Cisco DevNet Sandbox - Testing lab for real devices

Prerequisites

• Python 3.8+
• Git
• Virtual environment (recommended)

Setup Instructions

1. Clone the repository git clone https://github.com/your-username/network-automation-toolkit.git cd network-automation-toolkit

2. Set up virtual environment python -m venv myenv myenv\Scripts\activate # For Windows

3. Install dependencies pip install -r requirements.txt

Credentials & Inventory Setup

• inventory.yaml (NOT uploaded to GitHub)
• credentials.py (NOT uploaded to Github)

This file contains device IPs, usernames, and passwords. Do not upload this file to GitHub. It's ignored using .gitignore. Use your own credentials in inventory_example.yaml. Create a new file credentials.py which stores your own username and password

How to Run the Scripts

1. Generate Config (Jinja2) python generate_config.py

2. Push Config to Device (Netmiko) python push_config.py

3. Monitor Interface via RESTCONF python monitor_status.py

Final Notes

Built using Cisco's DevNet Sandbox — no real devices required

Secure by design — credentials are isolated from source code

Great starting point for job portfolios or real-world automation labs