Python for Network Engineers

Python is the dominant programming language for network automation. Its clear syntax, rich standard library, and thriving ecosystem of networking libraries make it the natural choice for engineers who need to automate repetitive tasks.

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Why Python?

Reason	Detail
Readable syntax	Looks like pseudocode, easy to learn for non-programmers
Rich ecosystem	Netmiko, NAPALM, Paramiko, pyATS, Nornir, and more
Cross-platform	Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
Community	Massive community with tutorials, forums, and open-source projects
Vendor support	Cisco, Arista, Juniper, and others provide Python SDKs and libraries
Rapid prototyping	Write a working script in minutes, not hours

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Python Fundamentals for Networking

Variables and Data Types

# Strings — device hostnames, IP addresses, commands
hostname = "switch01"
ip_address = "192.168.1.1"

# Integers — port numbers, VLAN IDs
vlan_id = 100
ssh_port = 22

# Booleans — feature flags
is_enabled = True

# Lists — collections of items (ordered, mutable)
interfaces = ["GigabitEthernet0/1", "GigabitEthernet0/2", "GigabitEthernet0/3"]