Programming for Network Engineers
1. Course Overview
The Programming for Network Engineers course
provides network professionals with practical programming skills to automate,
manage, and optimize modern networks.
The course
emphasizes scripting, network automation, and programmatic interaction with
network devices using Python, APIs, and other modern tools.
By completing this
course, learners will be able to automate repetitive network tasks,
troubleshoot efficiently, and integrate network solutions with software-driven
infrastructure.
2. Target Audience
- Network engineers and
administrators
- IT professionals managing
network infrastructure
- System administrators looking
to integrate network automation
- Students aiming to specialize
in network programming and automation
- Network engineers preparing
for DevNet, Python, or automation certifications
3. Learning Outcomes
By the end of the
program, learners will be able to:
✔ Understand programming fundamentals relevant to
networking
✔ Automate network configurations using Python and
scripting
✔ Interact programmatically with network devices
using APIs
✔ Parse and analyze network data for monitoring and
reporting
✔ Implement network automation workflows using
modern frameworks
✔ Integrate network management with cloud and
software-defined networking (SDN) solutions
4. Course Duration & Format
- Duration: 6–8 Weeks
- Hours: 40–60 Hours
- Format: Lectures, hands-on labs,
practical exercises, mini-projects
- Assessment: Module quizzes, lab
assignments, final automation project
5. Course Modules & Syllabus
Module 1: Introduction to Programming for Network
Engineers
Topics:
- Why programming is important
for networking
- Overview of network
automation
- Programming tools and
environments
- Version control using Git
Labs:
- Install Python and IDE
- Git repository setup for
network scripts
Module 2: Python Fundamentals for Networking
Topics:
- Python syntax, variables, and
data types
- Control structures: loops and
conditionals
- Functions and modules
- File handling and logging
Labs:
- Basic Python scripts to
automate network tasks
- Reading and writing
configuration files
Module 3: Data Structures and Network Data
Topics:
- Lists, dictionaries, sets,
and tuples
- Parsing JSON, CSV, and XML
files
- Handling network data output
(CLI, SNMP, logs)
Labs:
- Parse router/switch
configuration files
- Extract network information
from JSON or CSV
Module 4: Network Device Automation Using Python
Topics:
- SSH and Telnet automation
- Paramiko and Netmiko
libraries
- Automating configuration
changes on Cisco/Juniper/Arista devices
- Error handling and logging in
network scripts
Labs:
- Connect to network devices
and retrieve configurations
- Automate VLAN creation and
interface configuration
Module 5: APIs and Programmatic Network Interaction
Topics:
- REST APIs for network devices
- Using requests and HTTP
libraries in Python
- Integrating with SDN
controllers (Cisco DNA Center, OpenDaylight)
- JSON payloads and parsing API
responses
Labs:
- Query network devices using
REST API
- Automate configuration
changes via API calls
Module 6: Network Monitoring and Automation Scripts
Topics:
- SNMP basics and network
telemetry
- Monitoring device health and
interfaces
- Automating alerts and
reporting
- Scheduled scripts and cron
jobs
Labs:
- Retrieve interface statistics
via SNMP
- Automate network health
checks and generate reports
Module 7: Advanced Network Automation
Topics:
- Automating multi-vendor
networks
- Configuration backups and
rollback automation
- Integrating scripts with
Ansible and Nornir
- CI/CD for network
configurations
Labs:
- Build Ansible playbooks for
network automation
- Deploy multi-device
configurations with Nornir
Module 8: Network Security Automation
Topics:
- Automating firewall rule
deployment
- Automated vulnerability
scanning scripts
- Secure handling of
credentials and keys
- Logging and audit automation
Labs:
- Scripted firewall
configuration
- Automate log collection from
multiple devices
Module 9: Final Network Automation Project
Topics:
- End-to-end automation
workflow design
- Device configuration,
monitoring, and reporting
- Documentation and version
control
Project Examples:
- Automate VLAN and interface
configuration across multiple switches
- Automated network health
monitoring with email alerts
- Configuration backup and
restoration workflow
6. Assessments
- Module
Quizzes:
Multiple choice and short answer
- Lab
Assignments:
Hands-on scripting and automation exercises
- Mid-term
Project: Small
automation task on a simulated network
- Final
Project:
Complete network automation workflow with reporting
7. Certification Requirements
Learners must:
✔ Complete all modules and labs
✔ Score at least 60% in quizzes and assessments
✔ Submit and demonstrate the final network
automation project
8. Career Pathways
Graduates can pursue
roles such as:
- Network Automation Engineer
- Network Programmer
- DevNet Engineer
- Network Operations Center
(NOC) Engineer
- System and Network
Administrator
- SDN/Cloud Network Engineer
