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Hands-On Cisco Automation with Python: Streamline Network Tasks Using Netmiko, NAPALM, and Nornir for Beginners

Name: Hands-On Cisco Automation with Python: Streamline Network Tasks Using Netmiko, NAPALM, and Nornir for Beginners
ISBN: 9780135463215

by Rick Graziani, Adrian Iliesiu

May 2026

Intermediate to advanced

418 pages

9h 29m

English

Cisco Press

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Cover Page
About This eBook
Title Page
Copyright Page
About the Authors
About the Technical Reviewers
Dedications
Acknowledgments
Contents at a Glance
Reader Services

Contents
Icons Used in This Book
Command Syntax Conventions
Endorsements from Industry Leaders
Introduction
Who Should Read This Book?How This Book Is Organized
Figure Credits
Chapter 1. Introducing Netmiko, NAPALM, and Nornir
The 3 Ns: Netmiko, NAPALM, and NornirAutomation and Programmability for All LevelsHow Much Cisco IOS and Python Do I Need to Know?What Do I Need to Get Started?Using AI as an Alternative to Physical EquipmentSummary
Part 1: Netmiko
Chapter 2. Getting Started with Netmiko
Why Start with Netmiko?A First Look at a Netmiko ProgramThe Basic Netmiko FrameworkOptional: Exploring Python Classes, Objects, Instances, and MethodsYour TurnSending Command Output to a VariableThe send_command_expect() MethodThe save_config() MethodDebugging Netmiko by Using the Session LogSummary
Chapter 3. Configuring Devices with Netmiko
The send_command() MethodSummary
Chapter 4. Accessing Multiple Devices with Netmiko
Using a Variable to Store an IP AddressUnderstanding Python for LoopsIterating Through Multiple DevicesUsing Dictionaries to Store Device Connection ParametersUsing Python’s getpass() for Secure Password InputUsing Netmiko Exceptions for TroubleshootingMaintaining Multiple SSH Connections SimultaneouslySummary
Part 2: NAPALM
Chapter 5. Introducing NAPALM and Structured Data
What Is NAPALM, and How Is It Different from Netmiko?Installing the NAPALM LibraryBasic NAPALM FrameworkHow NAPALM Retrieves Data Without an API on Cisco IOSGood News, Bad News: Understanding Structured Dataget_facts(): Our First NAPALM Method and DictionaryCreating a NAPALM Dictionary Without a DeviceNAPALM MethodsUsing Python Interactive Mode to Experiment with NAPALMSummary
Chapter 6. Understanding Python Dictionaries with NAPALM
How NAPALM Organizes DataA Single DictionaryA Dictionary of DictionariesA List of DictionariesSample Program Using All Three Types of DictionariesComparing the Three Types of DictionariesMethods by Type of Data StructureSummary
Chapter 7. Iterating Through NAPALM Dictionaries
Live or Simulated DataWorking with .keys(), .values(), and .items() in NAPALM DictionariesUsing a for Loop with Dictionary MethodsDetermining the Type of ValueLooping Through Key/Value Pairs with .items() and Processing Values with isinstance()Iterating Through a Dictionary of DictionariesIterating Through a List of DictionariesSummary
Chapter 8. Configuring Devices with NAPALM
A Quick Overview of NAPALM Configuration MethodsIntroducing Our Example ScenarioConfiguring a Device with load_merge_candidate()Using the cli() methodUsing load_replace_candidate() to Replace the ConfigurationDisplaying Running and Startup Configuration FilesNext Step: NornirSummary
Part 3: Nornir
Chapter 9. Introducing Nornir: A Pythonic Framework for Network Orchestration
What Is Orchestration?How Does Nornir Compare to Netmiko and NAPALM?How Nornir Uses Netmiko and NAPALMInstalling NornirBasic Nornir Framework: Python and YAMLYour First Nornir Program and YAML FilesWhat’s Next?Summary
Chapter 10. Using Nornir with Netmiko
Installing Support for Netmiko: nornir_netmikoUsing Nornir and netmiko_send_command()Sending Configuration Commands with netmiko_send_configSummary
Chapter 11. Using Nornir with NAPALM
A Quick ReviewInstalling Support for NAPALM: nornir_napalmUsing Nornir and the napalm_cli TaskUsing Nornir and the napalm_get TaskUsing Nornir and the napalm_configure TaskSummary
Chapter 12. Inventory Management with Nornir
A Quick Overview with a Focus on InventoryWhere Inventory Data Comes FromA Note on FilteringInventory Management Core ArchitectureHostsGroupsEffective Values After InheritanceUsing Group Data for FilteringDefaultsAccessing Inventory DataInventory PluginsInventory Plugin OptionsSummary
Part 4: What’s Next
Chapter 13. What’s Next
Why Network Automation Became NecessaryNetmiko, NAPALM, and Nornir in ContextAnsible, NETCONF, and RESTCONF: Expanding the Automation ToolkitComparisonsUnderstanding YANG ModelsUnderstanding APIsArtificial Intelligence and Network AutomationClosing Thoughts
Appendix A. Python Virtual Environments
Appendix B. Understanding expect_string with send_command()
Appendix C. Using Python Dictionaries as NAPALM Outputs
Creating a Dictionary to Simulate Output
Appendix D. The Relationship Between Python Dictionaries and JSON
Appendix E. Understanding Objects and Variables in Python
Appendix F. Using a Recursive Function to Handle Nested Dictionaries of Any Depth
Appendix G. Using Tabular Output
Appendix H. Using Public and Private Keys
Public Versus Private Keys: A Brief OverviewBasic Steps to Use SSH Keys with NetmikoWhy Use SSH Keys?Public Key Configuration Example (Cisco IOS)
Appendix I. Netmiko-Supported Network Operating Systems
Index
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Content preview from Hands-On Cisco Automation with Python: Streamline Network Tasks Using Netmiko, NAPALM, and Nornir for Beginners

Chapter 7 Iterating Through NAPALM Dictionaries

In this chapter, we will examine how to loop through all the key/value pairs of a dictionary across the three types of dictionaries discussed in the previous chapter:

Single heterogeneous dictionary
Dictionary of dictionaries
List of dictionaries

For someone who is new to Python, some of this may seem a bit daunting at first. Just take it step by step and remember that the more you work with iterating through nested dictionaries, the more familiar they will become.

Note

You might consider reading this chapter after reading Chapter 8, “Configuring Devices with NAPALM,” or just skimming it for now and coming back to it later if you need more details.

Before we begin iterating through structured ...

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Hands-On Cisco Automation with Python: Streamline Network Tasks Using Netmiko, NAPALM, and Nornir for Beginners

by Rick Graziani, Adrian Iliesiu

Chapter 7

Iterating Through NAPALM Dictionaries

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
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