Network automation uses software and programmable processes to perform network tasks with less manual intervention. It ranges from scripts for routine changes to platforms managing interdependent configurations across many devices. section 22.1
Automation addresses the operational limits of configuring large networks device by device. Repeating SSH changes across thousands of routers and switches takes time and invites mistyped addresses or unsaved configurations; a properly written script applies changes faster and more consistently. section 22.1
Network automation supports several operational roles:
- Configure devices by pushing repeatable commands to multiple targets. section 22.1
- Manage and maintain infrastructure more efficiently as networks scale. section 22.0
- Support monitoring, logging, and status collection through device configurations such as Syslog and SNMP. section 22.1
- Extend toward controller-based networking and AI-assisted operations, including traffic forecasting, predictive maintenance, capacity planning, and threat prediction. section 22.0 section 22.3.3
Automating Syslog and SNMP configuration
A Python script using Netmiko can connect to R1 and R2, issue logging host and snmp-server host commands, and repeat the change across devices. The equivalent Cisco IOS workflow configures both commands and saves the result with copy running-config startup-config. section 22.1
R1# configure terminal R1(config)# logging host 192.0.2.1 #1 R1(config)# snmp-server host 192.0.2.1 version 2c ComMun1tyS7R1ng! #2 R1(config)# end R1# copy running-config startup-config #3 #1 Configures the new Syslog server #2 Configures the new SNMP manager #3 Saves the configuration changes
Inspect the annotated Cisco IOS sequence for configuring a Syslog server, configuring an SNMP manager, and saving the device configuration. section 22.1
