Python Network Programming for Network Engineers (Python 3) Course Syllabus

A practical and in-depth course designed for network engineers to master Python for network automation. This course covers essential scripting, automation, and orchestration techniques using real-world scenarios and multi-vendor environments. With approximately 6 hours of total content, learners will progress through hands-on modules that build from foundational setup to advanced integration, enabling immediate application in production networks.

Module 1: Environment Setup & Python Refresher

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Installing Python 3, virtual environments, and essential libraries (Netmiko, NAPALM)
• Quick review of Python basics: data structures
• Functions and control flow
• Exception handling

Module 2: SSH Automation with Netmiko

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Establishing SSH sessions to routers/switches
• Sending commands and handling responses
• Automating configuration backups
• Creating VLANs and checking interfaces

Module 3: Device Interaction with Paramiko & Telnetlib

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Low-level SSH automation using Paramiko
• Connecting via Telnet with Telnetlib
• Secure file transfers using SFTP
• Uploading firmware and configuration files

Module 4: Configuration Management with NAPALM

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Using NAPALM for multi-vendor support (Cisco IOS, JunOS, Arista EOS)
• Retrieving running and candidate configurations
• Comparing configuration states
• Applying batch configuration changes

Module 5: Parsing Network Data

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Parsing JSON, XML, and text outputs
• Using Python’s built-in libraries and lxml
• Extracting interface statistics and ARP entries
• Processing routing tables for reporting

Module 6: SNMP & API-Based Monitoring

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Querying device metrics using pysnmp
• Monitoring CPU, memory, and interface counters
• Consuming REST APIs from Cisco DNA Center
• Integrating with Juniper Contrail for telemetry

Module 7: Orchestration & Web Integration

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Building Ansible playbooks with Python modules
• Creating a Flask-based web UI
• Triggering automation scripts from web interface

Module 8: Best Practices & Next Steps

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Error handling and logging
• Secure credential storage using environment variables and Vault
• Scaling automation with threading and CI/CD integration
• Exploring community resources

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with basic networking concepts (routing, switching, IP addressing)
• Understanding of CLI operations on network devices
• Basic experience with command-line interfaces (Windows/Linux)

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Automate network device interactions over SSH/Telnet using Paramiko and Netmiko
• Parse and manipulate structured network data (JSON, XML, YAML) from APIs and device outputs
• Build network automation workflows with NAPALM for configuration management and state retrieval
• Develop custom network monitoring scripts using SNMP (pysnmp) and RESTful APIs
• Integrate automation into orchestration platforms (Ansible, Flask web apps) for scalable operations