Introduction to Python Network Automation

Abstract

This chapter serves as a primer to this book and discusses what it feels like to be an IT professional in today’s IT industry. We will also discuss the different enterprise IT engineering domain groups and their responsibilities. The chapter then compares each domain group’s weaknesses and strengths and draws up a working study plan that serves as the book’s foundation. This chapter will also discuss why you might want to learn a programming language, in our case, Python, since this is your primary reason for purchasing this book and get started on your network automation journey. Finally, we will discuss the minimum PC/laptop requirements to build a fully working Python/Linux/network automation lab on a single PC. All lab machines, Linux servers, routers, and switches will be installed on a single PC/laptop using a recommended software set.