Add intro to network automation file

Author: sydasif

python_notes/01_intro_to_network_automation.md

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+## Introduction to Network Automation for Network Engineers
+
+**Network automation** refers to using software to automate the setup,
+management, testing, and operation of network devices like routers, switches,
+and firewalls. By automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks, network
+engineers can streamline operations, reduce human error, and maintain a more
+efficient and scalable network infrastructure.
+
+### Key Benefits of Network Automation:
+
+- **Consistency**: Automation ensures that configurations are applied uniformly
+  across devices, reducing the chance of errors that come from manual input.
+- **Speed**: Automating tasks like configuration changes, software upgrades, or
+  troubleshooting significantly reduces the time it takes to perform these
+  tasks.
+- **Scalability**: As networks grow, manual management becomes impractical.
+  Automation allows for easy scaling by enabling mass deployment of
+  configurations.
+- **Reduced Downtime**: Automation can help quickly identify and resolve
+  network issues, leading to better uptime and reduced service interruptions.
+
+### Tools for Network Automation:
+
+- **Ansible**: An open-source automation tool that uses playbooks written in
+  YAML. It is simple to use, making it popular among network engineers for
+  configuring network devices.
+- **Python**: A versatile programming language widely used in network
+  automation. Python libraries like `Netmiko` and `Nornir` simplify interacting
+  with network devices.
+- **Cisco DevNet**: Provides resources and sandboxes for testing automation
+  scripts on Cisco devices.
+- **Terraform**: Known for its infrastructure as code (IaC) capabilities, it's
+  increasingly used for automating network resources in cloud environments.
+
+### Typical Use Cases:
+
+1. **Configuration Management**: Automating the application of configuration
+   templates to routers, switches, and firewalls.
+2. **Backup and Restore**: Scheduling regular backups of device configurations
+   and automating the process of restoring configurations in case of failure.
+3. **Network Monitoring and Troubleshooting**: Automating the collection of
+   logs and network data, and performing automated troubleshooting actions when
+   issues are detected.
+4. **VLAN Management**: Automating the creation, deletion, and modification of
+   VLANs across multiple switches.
+
+### Getting Started with Network Automation:
+
+For beginners, it's best to start with simple scripts using Python or Ansible
+that perform tasks like gathering device information or applying
+configurations. Building familiarity with these tools helps in understanding
+more complex automation workflows and integrating them into a larger network
+management strategy.
+
+Network automation represents a shift in how network engineers manage
+infrastructure, turning manual, tedious tasks into automated processes, thus
+allowing engineers to focus more on optimizing and improving network
+performance.