Add python to network automation file

Author: sydasif

python_notes/02_python_for_network_automation.md

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+## Introduction to Python for Network Automation
+
+Python has become a vital tool for network engineers looking to automate
+network operations. Its simplicity and powerful libraries make it an ideal
+choice for managing network devices, streamlining configurations, and
+interacting with APIs. Python's versatility allows it to be used for both
+simple automation scripts and more complex integrations with other network
+management tools.
+
+### Why Python for Network Automation?
+
+- **Ease of Use**: Python’s syntax is straightforward, making it accessible for
+  network engineers who might be new to programming.
+- **Extensive Libraries**: Python has a rich ecosystem of libraries
+  specifically for network automation, such as `Netmiko`, `Nornir`, `Paramiko`,
+  and `pyATS`.
+- **Cross-Platform**: Python runs on most operating systems, allowing scripts
+  to be executed across various environments without significant changes.
+- **Community Support**: A large community of developers and network engineers
+  use Python, offering a wealth of tutorials, code examples, and
+  troubleshooting resources.
+
+### Key Python Libraries for Network Automation:
+
+1. **Netmiko**: A popular library that simplifies SSH connections to network
+   devices. It allows engineers to send commands and retrieve outputs easily.
+   Netmiko supports various vendors, including Cisco, Juniper, Arista, and
+   more.
+
+2. **Nornir**: A framework specifically designed for network automation, Nornir
+   helps with parallel execution of tasks across multiple devices. It is more
+   scalable than simpler libraries like Netmiko and is great for managing
+   larger networks.
+
+3. **Paramiko**: A low-level library for SSH communication. It is often used
+   for more customized SSH interactions when higher-level libraries might not
+   fit the need.
+
+4. **pyATS/Genie**: Developed by Cisco, `pyATS` and its `Genie` libraries are
+   powerful for testing and verifying network configurations and states. These
+   libraries help in automating network testing and validation.
+
+5. **Requests**: Useful for interacting with REST APIs, which is common when
+   working with SDN controllers, cloud-based networking tools, or network
+   devices that offer a RESTful API.
+
+### Common Use Cases:
+
+- **Device Configuration**: Automating repetitive tasks like setting up VLANs,
+  updating access lists, or modifying interface configurations across multiple
+  devices.
+- **Inventory Management**: Gathering details such as device status, IP
+  addresses, and software versions to maintain an up-to-date inventory of
+  network devices.
+- **Backup and Restore Configurations**: Scheduling backups of device
+  configurations and automating the process of restoring them during device
+  recovery.
+- **Network Monitoring**: Automating the retrieval of device logs, statistics,
+  or running status to integrate with monitoring dashboards or alert systems.
+
+### Getting Started:
+
+For beginners, a good approach is to start with Python basics like loops,
+conditionals, and functions before diving into libraries like Netmiko or
+Paramiko. Creating simple scripts that log into a network device and run a few
+show commands is a great way to understand the fundamentals of network
+automation with Python.
+
+Python's flexibility and strong integration capabilities make it an essential
+tool for modern network automation, helping network engineers move from manual
+configurations to a more automated and efficient workflow.