Hands-On Cisco Automation with Python: Streamline Network Tasks Using Netmiko, NAPALM, and Nornir for Beginners

Learn how to simplify Cisco network management with practical Python automation.

Modern networks demand speed, accuracy, and scalability. Hands-On Cisco Automation with Python teaches network professionals how to automate common Cisco IOS tasks using Python and three widely adopted tools: Netmiko, NAPALM, and Nornir.

This practical, example-driven guide shows how to replace repetitive manual work with reusable scripts that configure devices, collect operational data, and validate network state. Readers follow clear, step-by-step examples that explain both the Python code and the Cisco IOS commands involved.

The book focuses on real-world automation, not theory, making it ideal for readers new to network automation who want immediate, usable results.

What You’ll Learn

• Automate Cisco IOS access and command execution with Python
• Manage and validate configurations using NAPALM
• Scale automation across multiple devices with Nornir
• Work with structured data such as JSON and Python dictionaries
• Build reusable scripts to improve consistency and reduce errors

Who This Book Is For

• Network engineers and administrators
• CCNA and early-career networking professionals
• IT practitioners transitioning into automation
• Anyone managing Cisco IOS-based networks

Rick Graziani has been teaching and working in the computer networking industry since 1980. He is a full time Computer Science/Computer Information Systems faculty member at Cabrillo College and an adjunct Computer Science and Engineering faculty member at the University of California Santa Cruz. Rick also works for Cisco Systems on their Curriculum Engineering team as part of the Cisco Networking Academy. He has written several books for Cisco Press including Fundamentals of IPv6 and has presented at technical conferences for the Cisco Networking Academy. Prior to teaching, he worked in the information technology field for Santa Cruz Operation, Tandem Computers, Lockheed Martin and served in the U.S. Coast Guard. When he is not working, he is most likely surfing at one of his favorite Santa Cruz surf breaks.

Adrian Iliesiu, CCIE No. 43909 (EI), is a network engineer with more than 20 years of professional experience in the field. He currently works as a Principal Engineer within the Cisco DevNet organization. Throughout his career, Adrian has held a wide range of roles, including team leader and network, systems, and QA engineer across multiple industries and international organizations. In his current role at Cisco, Adrian focuses on advancing network programmability and automation, with particular emphasis on enterprise infrastructure. He is an established author, a distinguished speaker at Cisco Live!, and a recipient of the prestigious Cisco Pioneer Award. Adrian has also appeared on Cisco TechWise, Cisco Champion podcasts, and DevNet webinars. He is the host of the Simplifying Network Automation with NerGru series of live streams. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca and a Master’s degree in Telecommunication Networks from Politehnica University of Bucharest.