Networking automation isn’t a single project.
It’s a mindset shift:
🔁 Small wins → pipelines → culture
The earlier you start, the more your future self will thank you.

What’s the first task you automated in your network? 👇

8️⃣ Document Through Automation
Don’t write docs, generate them.
Scripts can spit out network diagrams, IPAM exports, or compliance reports.
Docs that update themselves stay relevant.

7️⃣ Test Like a Developer
Would you push untested code to production?
Then why push configs without validation?
Use pyATS, Batfish, or even custom Python to simulate changes before deploying.

6️⃣ Telemetry > Polling
SNMP was fine in the 90s.
Now? Use model-driven telemetry + streaming.
Real-time data lets you automate responses before users call the helpdesk.

5️⃣ Version Control Is Non-Negotiable
Treat network configs like code:
• Git for history
• Pull requests for peer review
• CI/CD for validation
This reduces outages more than any vendor feature.

4️⃣ Think in Pipelines, Not Scripts
A script solves your problem today.
A pipeline solves your team’s problem every day.
Build for repeatability, not hero moments.

3️⃣ Use the Right Tools

• ✅ Python for quick scripts

• ✅ Ansible for configuration consistency

• ✅ Terraform for infra lifecycle

• ✅ pyATS/Nornir for testing

Each has a place. Don’t force one tool to do everything.

2️⃣ APIs Are Your Superpower
Cisco, Meraki, Arista, Juniper—they all expose APIs.
Stop screen-scraping. Start pulling structured data. JSON is easier to parse than CLI output.

1️⃣ Start Small, Automate Often
Don’t try to “automate everything” in one go.
Pick repetitive, low-risk tasks (like backups or interface checks). Build confidence before scaling.