Network Automation Cookbook

Explore network automation with Ansible by configuring network infrastructure fast, reliably, and repeatedly, all while creating a lab utilizing open and available network operating systems and tools

Key Features

• Design, build, and automate network devices and cloud networking resources using Ansible
• Orchestrate workflows with AWX and integrate Nautobot as a Source of Truth
• Start with Event-Driven Ansible and manage Terraform workflows seamlessly
• Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Book Description

Network Automation Cookbook, now in its second edition, is your essential guide to building robust network automation workflows across modern hybrid infrastructures. Building on the foundation laid in the first edition, this version dives deeper into Ansible’s role in automating network infrastructure, expanding coverage to include modern use cases across enterprise and cloud networks.

The book introduces Ansible’s core concepts, such as playbooks, inventories, variables, loops, and templates, and progresses to advanced topics such as parallelism, fact caching, custom filters, and modular design. You will automate real-world scenarios using Nokia SR, Cisco IOS, Juniper, and Arista devices in a fully reproducible virtual lab. The chapters also help you explore cloud automation for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, and integrate validation tools such as PyATS, Batfish, and Nautobot. New chapters cover event-driven automation, AWX for workflow execution, and Terraform integration. By using hands-on labs and fully reproducible recipes, you can practice real-world scenarios and reinforce your skills.

By the end of this book, you’ll be well-equipped with the tools and workflows to automate infrastructure efficiently with Ansible.

What you will learn

• Build Ansible playbooks, roles, and inventories from scratch
• Automate Juniper and Arista network devices
• Deploy cloud networks on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
• Validate networks with Batfish and NAPALM
• Use AWX for workflow automation and job scheduling
• Integrate Nautobot as a dynamic inventory source
• Run all recipes in containerized, hardware-free labs
• Apply event-driven automation using Ansible Rulebooks

Who this book is for

This second edition will help network engineers, DevOps pros, cloud architects, automation engineers, and NREs understand Ansible’s role in network automation and how it integrates with tools like Terraform and event-driven architectures. The book requires basic networking knowledge and familiarity with YAML to maximize learning.

Table of Contents

1. Why Ansible for Network Automation?
2. Building Blocks of Ansible
3. Advanced Ansible Concepts
4. Building Data Center Networks with Arista
5. Automating a Juniper Network Core Using Ansible
6. Managing Nokia SR Devices Using Ansible
7. Administering a Multi-Vendor Network with NAPALM and Ansible
8. Deploying and Operating AWS Networking
9. Deploying and Operating Azure Networking
10. Deploying and Operating GCP Networking
11. Network Validation with Batfish
12. Building a Network Inventory with Nautobot
13. Simplifying Automation with AWX
14. Event-Driven Automation with Ansible
15. Terraform and Ansible Dancing Together
16. Appendix - The Lab

Christian Adell is a principal architect at NTC. He is focused on building network automation solutions for diverse use cases, with great emphasis on open source software. He is passionate about learning and helping others to be happier, and also has more hobbies than hours in the day, so working remotely from Barcelona gives him the time and the space to achieve his dreams.

Christian is a co-author of O'Reilly's “Network Programmability and Automation” book and a co-author of the “Modern Network Observability” and “Network Automation with Nautobot” books by Packt.

Jeff Kala is a principal architect at Network to Code and holds a BSc in network communication management. He has transformed his career from a traditional network engineer into a network automation architect. His journey started in network engineering, working for a large cellular provider. As the network he helped maintain grew in complexity and size, he explored and implemented automation techniques that resulted in a renewed career trajectory in network automation.

Karim Okasha is a network consultant with over 15 years of experience in the ICT industry. He specializes in the design and operation of large telecom and service provider networks and has lots of experience in network automation. Karim has a bachelor's degree in telecommunications and holds several expert-level certifications, such as CCIE, JNCIE, and RHCE. He is currently working at Red Hat as a network automation consultant, helping large telecom and service providers design and implement innovative network automation solutions. Prior to joining Red Hat, he worked for Saudi Telecom Company, as well as Cisco and Orange S.A.