What is Network Automation and Where is it Used?

Network automation is the process of using scripts or specialized tools to automate repetitive networking tasks like device configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting. It reduces manual effort, minimizes errors, and improves efficiency. It is widely used in data centers, cloud environments, and enterprise networks to enhance agility, reliability, and scalability. By automating tasks, businesses can save time and focus on strategic projects and innovation.

In this networking guide, we have explained the meaning of network automation, its uses, and its benefits. We have also provided the list of best important network automation tools and courses to learn network automation.

Why is Network Automation Important?

Network automation is essential because it simplifies complex network operations, reduces manual work, and ensures accuracy. By automating repetitive tasks, businesses can improve efficiency, minimize downtime, and quickly adapt to changing demands. It not only saves time but also enhances reliability and scalability, making networks more agile and future-ready.

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What to Know Before Automating the Network

Before you start automating your network, it’s important to understand:

1. APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)

APIs are essential building blocks of network automation. They allow different software systems to interact and exchange information. Network devices typically expose APIs that provide programmatic access to their configurations and status.

By using APIs, network engineers can automate device configurations, collect real-time data, and interact with network devices in a standardized manner.

2. Configuration Management

Configuration management is a core aspect of network automation. It involves creating, managing, and updating network device configurations automatically. With automation, engineers can apply consistent configurations across devices, enforce policies, and rapidly deploy services with predefined templates.

3. Orchestration

Orchestration is the automation of end-to-end workflows that involve multiple network devices and services. It enables network engineers to design complex tasks that span across devices and execute them seamlessly.

Orchestration enhances network efficiency, reduces manual intervention, and ensures the smooth functioning of interconnected services.

4. Monitoring and Telemetry

Monitoring and telemetry provide real-time data about network performance and health. By using automation to collect and analyze telemetry data, network engineers gain valuable insights into network behavior and can take proactive measures to address potential issues before they impact network performance.

5. Self-Healing Networks

Self-healing networks are an advanced application of automation. By implementing automated processes that detect and respond to network issues in real time, network engineers can create a more resilient and robust network infrastructure. Self-healing networks lead to reduced downtime and improved network availability.

How Does Network Automation Work?

Network automation works by using software tools, scripts, and frameworks to perform tasks that would otherwise require manual effort. Instead of configuring devices individually, automation enables centralized control and execution of commands across multiple devices. This process relies on components such as APIs, configuration templates, and orchestration systems to ensure consistency and efficiency.

To achieve network automation, organizations typically follow these steps:

1. Assess Your Network Infrastructure

The first step is to take inventory of all network devices and connections. This includes routers, switches, firewalls, servers, and IoT devices. A complete understanding of the current setup is essential before introducing automation.

2. Select the Right Automation Platform

Choosing the right platform is critical. The platform should support APIs, scalability, and integration with existing systems. Popular options include Ansible, Puppet, and vendor-specific solutions.

3. Define Policies and Standards

Clear policies for configurations, security, and compliance must be established. Automation works best when there are predefined rules to ensure consistency across all devices.

4. Implement Gradually

Start with simple tasks such as device configuration or software updates. Then expand to more complex workflows. A phased approach reduces risk and makes troubleshooting easier.

5. Monitor, Test, and Improve

Automation is an ongoing process. Continuous monitoring of network performance, validating changes, and refining workflows are essential for long-term success.

Best Practices for Network Automation

Implementing network automation effectively requires adherence to several best practices to ensure a smooth transition and optimal performance. 

Here are some of the best practices for network engineers while doing network automation.

1. Begin with simple automation tasks and gradually build complexity. Starting small allows network engineers to gain confidence and experience in automation practices.

2. Implement version control (e.g., Git) to track changes to automation scripts and configurations. Version control ensures a history of changes, simplifies collaboration, and enables easy rollbacks if needed.

3. Adopt rigorous testing procedures to validate automation scripts before deploying them in production. Test scripts on a non-production network or utilize network simulation tools to ensure correct behavior.

4. Thoroughly document automation workflows, scripts, and configurations. Proper documentation aids in knowledge sharing, troubleshooting, and onboarding new team members.

5. Adhere to secure coding practices when developing automation scripts. Apply the principle of least privilege when granting automation access to network devices, ensuring that only authorized actions are performed.

Benefits of Network Automation

1. Time and Resource Efficiency

Automating repetitive tasks reduces the time and effort required for network management. Mundane chores like configuring devices, updating firmware, and backing up configurations can be automated, freeing up valuable time for network engineers to concentrate on critical issues and high-value projects.

2. Consistency and Accuracy

Automated processes ensure uniformity and consistency across network devices. By eliminating human errors in configurations, network engineers can achieve a more stable and reliable network environment.

3. Rapid Deployment and Scalability

Automation facilitates the swift and consistent deployment of network services. When new network devices are added, automation can efficiently configure them to match existing standards, reducing the time and effort required for expansion.

4. Reduced Downtime and Faster Troubleshooting

Automated monitoring and self-healing features can proactively detect network issues and apply predefined remediation actions. This leads to reduced downtime, faster troubleshooting, and improved network availability.

5. Compliance and Security

Network automation helps enforce security policies consistently across devices and ensures compliance with industry regulations and organizational standards.

Network Automation Use Cases

Network automation use cases include managing device configurations, monitoring network health, enforcing security policies, and streamlining workflows in cloud and data center environments.

Common Use Cases:

1. Device Configuration Management: Automates configuration changes across routers, switches, and firewalls.

2. Network Monitoring and Alerts:  Continuously monitors network health and sends alerts for issues.

3. Software and Firmware Updates:  Applies updates across multiple devices without manual intervention.

4. Provisioning New Devices: Automatically configures and adds new devices to the network.

5. Security Policy Enforcement: Ensures uniform application of security policies across all devices.

6. Cloud and Data Center Operations: Automates workflows for scalability and agility in cloud environments.

Best Network Automation Tools with Examples

1. Ansible

Ansible is an open-source tool that is used for automation, which allows network engineers to define and create tasks in a declarative language. With Ansible, tasks can be executed across multiple devices simultaneously, simplifying network automation and reducing operational overhead.

Example Scenario:

Let's consider a scenario where a network engineer needs to configure a set of switches with a specific VLAN configuration across different locations. If you use a traditional manual approach, then this process would be time-consuming and error-prone.

However, with Ansible, the engineer can define a playbook (a set of tasks) that specifies the VLAN configuration and applies it to all switches simultaneously.

yaml

2. Python

Python is a popular programming language extensively used in network automation. It offers numerous libraries and frameworks that aid in building automation scripts for interacting with network devices, parsing data, and performing tasks.

Example Scenario:

Suppose a network engineer wants to automate the backup of router configurations regularly. A Python script can be created to connect to routers, issue the appropriate commands, and save the configurations to a centralized server or cloud storage.

Python

3. NETCONF/YANG

NETCONF (Network Configuration Protocol) and YANG (Yet Another Next Generation) data modeling language are standards for network device configuration and management. They enable programmatic access to network devices using XML-based data models.

Example Scenario:

Consider a scenario where a network engineer needs to automate the configuration of access control lists (ACLs) on multiple routers. With NETCONF/YANG, the engineer can use standardized data models to define the ACL configurations and apply them to multiple routers consistently.

xml

4. SaltStack

SaltStack is an automation and configuration management tool that uses a master-minion architecture. It is known for its speed and scalability, making it ideal for large-scale network automation.

Example Scenario:

Suppose a network engineer needs to push configuration changes to a large number of switches. With SaltStack, the engineer can define a state file that describes the desired configuration and apply it to the minion devices simultaneously.

yaml

5. Nornir

Nornir is a Python automation framework designed explicitly for network engineers. It provides flexibility and extensibility for network automation tasks.

Example Scenario:

Suppose a network engineer needs to retrieve the ARP table information from multiple routers and switches. Using Nornir, the engineer can create a script that connects to each device, executes the appropriate command, and collects the ARP data.

Python

How to Learn Network Automation?

Learning network automation starts with understanding the basics of networking and programming. Begin by strengthening your knowledge of network protocols, device configurations, and common networking tasks. Next, learn a scripting language such as Python, which is widely used for automation. Familiarize yourself with tools and frameworks like Ansible, Puppet, or vendor-specific solutions that help automate configurations and workflows.

Hands-on practice is essential. Set up a lab environment where you can experiment with automating tasks such as device provisioning and monitoring. Explore real-world use cases to understand how automation improves efficiency and reliability.

If you want structured guidance, Uninets offers online network automation courses to help you build your network automation skills.

Conclusion

Network automation has become an essential skill for network engineers as networks continue to grow in complexity and scale.

By understanding the fundamentals of network automation, including its benefits, key concepts, popular tools, and best practices, network engineers can elevate their efficiency and contribute more strategically to their organizations' success.

Through practical examples and scenarios, we have seen how automation tools like Ansible, Python, NETCONF/YANG, SaltStack, and Nornir can streamline network management tasks, improve consistency, and help network engineers meet the challenges of the digital age.

Embracing network automation is not only a competitive advantage but a necessity for building and managing resilient, scalable, and future-ready networks.

To learn more about automation, check out our automation courses that teach how to automate tasks in different fields.