How to Search Multiple Configuration Files in Python and Save Results to a New File

Learn how to search multiple Cisco device configuration files in Python for specific strings and save the output to a new file, avoiding common errors.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Using search string on multiple backup config files python and save to new file

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Searching Through Multiple Cisco Device Configuration Files in Python

If you're new to Python, you might find yourself facing challenges when trying to manipulate files, especially when checking configurations for multiple Cisco devices. One common scenario is searching through backup config files for specific parameters, such as a Radius IP address. In this guide, we'll address a specific error related to reading files in Python and guide you through the process of searching and saving results in a structured way.

The Problem

You're trying to search through multiple configuration files in a single directory for a specific IP address, in this case, 10.10.10.4. However, upon running your code, you encounter the following error message:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This error occurs because Python is having trouble decoding the content of certain files due to their encoding format. Additionally, you want to save the names of the files that contain the desired IP address to a new output file.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Understanding Encoding Issues

To avoid encountering the UnicodeDecodeError, it's essential to specify the correct encoding when opening your files. Many configuration files are encoded in utf-8, which is generally compatible with a wide range of characters.

2. Modifying Your Code

Let's restructure your script to handle encoding properly and also incorporate functionality to write the results to a new file. Here's how you can do it step by step:

a. Import Required Libraries

We're using the os library to interact with the filesystem.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

b. Search Through Files

Specify the correct encoding when opening each file and include a list to store the names of files that match our criteria.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

c. Write Results to a New File

Once you have gathered the results, you can easily write them to a new output file.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

3. Full Script Example

Below is the complete code that encompasses everything we just discussed:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively search through multiple configuration files for specific strings in Python while avoiding common pitfalls related to text file encoding. Now, not only can you find the devices configured with the Radius IP 10.10.10.4, but you can also save the results into a new file for easy reference.

Feel free to adapt the script based on your needs, and don't hesitate to reach out if you encounter further issues or questions! Happy coding!