Who should attend
- Network Engineers
- Systems Engineers
- Wireless Engineers
- Consulting Systems Engineers
- Technical Solutions Architects
- Network Administrators
- Wireless Design Engineers
- Network Managers
- Sales Engineers
- Account Managers
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites for this training. However, the knowledge and skills you are recommended to have before attending this training are:
- Basic programming language concepts
- Basic understanding of virtualization
- Ability to use Linux and CLI tools, such as SSH and bash
- CCNP level core networking knowledge
- Foundational understanding of Cisco Catalyst Center, Meraki, and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN
These skills can be found in the following Cisco Learning Offerings:
Course Objectives
- Explain the need for data models for network automation
- Explain how to use Ansible and YANG Suite tools for effective network automation
- Describe Python and Netmiko as tools for CLI automation and explain how to automate VLANs, routing protocols, policies, and VPNs
- Introduce NETCONF and RESTCONF as model-driven protocols, explain their operations, datastores, and workflows, and compare where each is most effective
- Monitor configuration and operational data with NETCONF and RESTCONF, troubleshoot connectivity and model issues, and interpret errors for faster resolution
- Introduce Ansible for Cisco configuration management to detect drift, validate compliance, maintain a source of truth, and apply resource modules with safe rollout and rollback recovery
- Describe how Cisco IOS EEM automates tasks with events and policies, Guest Shell provides a secure Linux container for scripts, and ZTP creates the initial configuration
- Explore how to perform Day-0 operations with PnP in Cisco Catalyst Center
- Explore options for configuration management with Cisco Catalyst Center
- Explore advanced features of configuration templates with Jinja templates
- Learn about managing controller-based configuration with Ansible
- Learn about security automation
- Learn about techniques for troubleshooting authentication with the REST APIs of Cisco controllers
- Learn how to test and validate automation deployed on Cisco Catalyst Center and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager
- Learn how to use Catalyst Center and SD-WAN APIs to automate Software Image Management
- Learn how to use APIs to monitor network health with Cisco Controllers
- Learn how to use streaming telemetry and webhooks to monitor network health on Course Cisco Catalyst Center and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager
- Explain how to use AI capabilities in Cisco Catalyst Center, Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, and Meraki dashboard
- Explain how to use AI-assisted code development for network automation
- Explore security risks in AI-based network automation
- Explain the deployment of MCP servers and clients, and Python FastMCP support for AI agents
Detailed Course Outline
- Network Automation Models
- Network Automation Tooling
- CLI Automation with Python
- NETCONF and RESTCONF Automation
- Automating Configuration Monitoring
- Device Automation with Ansible
- On-Box Automation
- Controller-Based Day-0 Provisioning
- Catalyst Center Day-0 with Configuration Management
- Advanced Configuration Templates
- Controller-Based Configuration Management with Ansible
- Security Automation
- Troubleshoot Controller-Based Network Automation
- Testing and Validating Network Automation
- Controller-Based Software Management
- Automate Network Health Monitoring with Controller APIs
- Monitor Network Health with Streaming Telemetry and Webhooks
- AI Capabilities in Network Controllers
- AI Assistance in Network Automation
- Security Risks in AI-based Automation
- Support AI Agents with Python FastMCP