Python for Network Engineers
Right, let’s talk Python. If you’re a network engineer who’s been putting off learning programming because all the examples involve calculating the area of circles or managing student databases, you’ve come to the right place.
This category is where we dive into Python properly – using real networking scenarios that actually make sense to us. No more “Hello World” nonsense. We’re talking about learning Python the way it should be taught to network engineers.
What You’ll Find Here
I’ve structured everything to start with my Python for Network Engineers series – around 50 detailed posts that teach you Python fundamentals using networking examples throughout. Instead of learning variables with someone’s name and age, we’ll use hostnames and VLAN IDs. Instead of basic maths problems, we’ll parse show commands and build configuration files.
The brilliant thing about this approach? Everything you learn directly applies to your day job, building the foundation you need for proper network automation.
The Learning Path
I’ve designed this series to follow the PCEP-30-02 certification path. Now, before you roll your eyes about certifications, here’s the thing – this particular cert covers exactly the Python knowledge you need before diving into the automation tools. It’s not about getting another certificate for your wall; it’s about building the foundation that lets you tackle the real stuff with confidence and the PCEP-30-20 certification is optional and just iceing on the cake – if you like iceing.
What Comes Next?
Once we’ve completed the fundamentals series, we’ll move into advanced Python territory where things get really interesting. That’s when we’ll dive deep into the automation tools you’ve probably heard about: Python scripting with Netmiko and NAPALM, working with RESTCONF and NETCONF APIs, handling JSON and YAML data from devices, file manipulation for configurations, and multithreading when you need to hit hundreds of devices simultaneously.
Whether you’re completely new to Python or you’ve dabbled but want to approach it properly through a networking lens, this is where we start building those skills that’ll transform how you work with network infrastructure.
The fundamentals first, then the automation magic. That’s how we’ll get you from zero to automating your network properly.
Python If Statements, Making Decisions That Actually Matter Right, so you’ve got variables, data types, and operators working, haven’t you? Been through all the fundamentals in the first seventeen posts and mabye even the PCEP… Read More »Python for Network Engineers blog 18: Python if statements
Stop Learning Binary with Silly Calculator Examples Right, so you’ve got arithmetic operators working and you understand how Python handles basic maths operations. Now we’re moving into python bitwise operators territory, which is where networking… Read More »Python for Network Engineers Blog 17: Python Bitwise Operators
Python Logical Operators – Stop Checking Voting Eligibility Right, so you’ve got comparison operators working and decision-making logic sorted haven’t you. Greater than, less than, equality checks, that whole bit. Now we’re getting to something… Read More »Python for Network Engineers Blog 16: Logical Operators
Stop Comparing Age and Height Right, so you’ve got arithmetic operators working and maths calculations sorted haven’t you. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, that whole bit. Now we’re getting to something that catches loads of people… Read More »Python for Network Engineers Blog 15: Python Comparison Operators
Python Arithmetic Operators – Stop Calculating Pizza Slices Right, so you’ve got scientific notation working and data types sorted haven’t you. Numbers, strings, converting between them, that whole bit. Now we’re getting to something that… Read More »Python for Network Engineers Blog 14: Arithmetic Operators
Python Scientific Notation – Stop Calculating Planetary Distances Right, so you’ve got variables and basic data types working haven’t you. Numbers, strings, booleans, that whole bit. Now we’re getting to something that catches loads of… Read More »Python for Network Engineers Blog 13: Scientific Notation
Python Type Conversion – Stop Converting Temperatures and Start Converting Network Data Right, so you’ve got booleans working haven’t you, got floats sorted, integers done, strings working properly. Now we’re onto python type conversion. Python… Read More »Python for Network Engineers Blog 12: Python Type Conversion
Python Booleans – Stop Making Calculators and Start Checking Interface Status Right, so you’ve got integers working haven’t you, got floats sorted, variables are done, print function working. Now we’re onto python booleans. Python for… Read More »Python for Network Engineers Blog 11: Python Booleans
Python Floats – Actually, Let’s Sort This Out Properly Okay so we’re at python floats now. So we’ve got integers working haven’t we, got variables sorted, print function working, comments are done, you’ve figured out… Read More »Python for Network Engineers Blog 10: Python Floats
Python Integers – Actually, Let’s Sort This Out Properly Okay so we’re at python integers now. So we’ve got variables working haven’t we, got the print function sorted, comments are done, you’ve figured out the… Read More »Python for Network Engineers Blog 9: Python Integers