Preface

Full automation of network configuration management is achieved in this chapter utilizing the data models and dynamic templates. Complete coverage of the enterprise network is established.

Chapter 11 Continuous Integration / Continuous Delivery This chapter introduces the CI/CD pipeline. Automated builds and releases for complete network automation using TFS are introduced.

Summary Appendix A Online Resources Links to relevant information on the Internet including the “Automate Your Network” GitHub repository accompanying the book. More examples of Ansible data models, templates, and playbooks can be found here.

Who Should Read This Book? Chief Information Officers / Chief Technology Officers Technical leaders should read this book to raise awareness of these new modern methodologies for automating an enterprise network. If the organization is currently operating the network using either mostly manual efforts or expensive Network Management Solutions (NMS) consider network automation using the tools and technologies presented in this book. The leaders and influencers in technology can mandate that network operations evolve. Drastic improvements in network downtime, stronger security, adherence to corporate standards and best practices can be realized with automation along with a lean and cost-effective network operation.

Senior IT Directors / Strategists The impact network automation has on an organization should not be underestimated. With automation comes an entirely new toolkit the organization needs to support and adopt. There are many things senior management need to consider beyond the code itself such as adjustments to current approval processes for change management. Network engineers or administrators need to learn how to convert the network to code. Network operators who currently use the Command-Line Interface (CLI) for changes need to adopt new skills and be able to execute Ansible playbooks. Linux may be new or unfamiliar to the organization and so a comprehensive strategy is essential to the success of any initiatives brought forth to automate the network.

Network Engineers / Designers Networks still need to be designed. The need for CCIE skills is not replaced by automation, however engineers will adopt new skills and start looking at networks differently by treating them like any other application in the organization. Developing structured data models and dynamic templating logic for scale and quality is the new mission. This transition may come easier to some than others. Programming basics such as writing comparative “if” statements and iterative “for” loops, as well as being able to abstract information from configurations, become necessary skills.