Python, Genie and CSV Files = Easy Network Automation (DevNet)

Want to automate networks easily? Use Python, CSV files and Cisco Genie (pyATS). Hank Preston shows us how to connect to live devices and automate the network.

Menu:
1:15 - Start Python Virtual Environment
4:10 - Install VIRL utils
6:12 - Genie Install
8:10 - Genie Inventory file (testbed file)
12:05 - Install iPython
12:30 - Create and use Genie Python Script
32:00 - Python Script with multiple devices

Videos mentioned and references:

#DevNet #DevNetAssociate #DevNetAssociateCertification

[davidbombal]

Menu:

1:15 - Start Python Virtual Environment
4:10 - Install VIRL utils
6:12 - Genie Install
8:10 - Genie Inventory file (testbed file)
12:05 - Install iPython
12:30 - Create and use Genie Python Script
32:00 - Python Script with multiple devices


Videos mentioned and references:

[hbinfor]

Thanks David and Hank! Great to see live coding. I used to be frustrated as my scripts always fail on the first try. It's good to see how it is. Thanks again!

[wsullivan]

Hi David,

In my opinion, keep the granular step by step approach in your videos, as well as your repetition, it's these methods that keep you ahead of the rest on YouTube. Network automation and programmability are complex subjects, it's a huge knowledge shift from a traditional network engineers roles and responsibilities. Keep it clear, keep it concise, show the process in full, just my 2c.
Keep up the awesome work :-)

[mjgritli]

Thank you David & Hank
This was very helpful, grabbing data out of devices
and next show was working on configs based on csv files you created previously and generating configs
this is How Networking & Programming work together.
Thanks again

[RaGa]

You two do great videos! Thank you! I just started learning python after completing CCNP R&S - DevOps is surely the way to go next. After Security that is.

More videos like this please !

[Cleonexx]

Great video, please do more live coding!! Is really fun learning like that!

[jesurajpandiankamaraj]

Thank you so much David...You are our inspiration 👍😊

[Eewokney]

do you have details about how to setup a custom virl lab hosted by cisco that you connect to?

[toolate]

Hello David, is there a param in the interfaces', param=False), so that we don't get all the 'show interface' data on screen?

[rohitmethala]

Hi, I am trying to connect to a switch but pyats always stops at the prompt 'ISETACACSPASSWORD:' and does not go forward. Although, I am able to connect to devices that are not on ISE TACACS with Pyats. Could you please help me resolve this issue? Thank you

[thomasjehn]

Ran command as illustrated.
testbed = Genie.init("testbed.yaml")
Received:
TypeError: Argument should be a path to a pyATS testbed file
No solution found.
Any suggestion?

[v.r.]

Hey Guys. Awesome Video, thank you. Is there a chance to show us how you would use git in this development process. As u finally made me understand how to use env. I wish I would understand git.

[normanrobinson]

Please don't prep behind the scenes...!!! 😨 I always like to see the full process to get from nothing-to-platform..!!! 😎👌 Thanks..!!! 🤜💯🤛

[anjelo]

Hi David,
i'm having an issue while installing Genie


Command "/root/GENIE/bin/python3 -u -c "import setuptools, tokenize;__file__='/tmp/pip-build-r32bja66/psutil/setup.py';f=getattr(tokenize, 'open', open)(__file__);code=f.read().replace('\r\n', '\n');f.close();exec(compile(code, __file__, 'exec'))" install --record --compile --install-headers failed with error code 1 in




what would be this?

[tonycurtis]

David, Thanks to you and Hank for the great information. Do you have any idea when Windows will be a supported platform for Genie? Although I agree that engineers should have Linux experience, that just isn't always the case and so I am looking to develop my application native to windows.

[omerabdalazizmukhtar]

@David Bombal
wow sir,
I have watched a bit of this video before but I wasn't care .
but now i found it and watched it again and I started to laught as you and hank laughting like I am sitting with you at that moment.
very awesome I need to learn alot, the thing is when they are 20 devices it gives error but after he cut some of the devices the script completed successfully
thank you so much

[haydnandrews]

Hi David/ Hank
Does Genie support Cisco WLCs (AirOS)? or any plans to add it into it?
Great video BTW

[toolate]

It seems like he is going backward by using CLI String Parsing instead of using the YANG models that he appeared to be so invested in, in previous videos. It appears that he PREFERS to use the CLI String Parser, much like using TextFSM.

[jewelbennett]

I have a phrase, !! I'll put it to code instead.