PRNE - Programming for Network Engineers

Course Overview

The Programming for Network Engineers (PRNE) v2.0 course is designed to equip you with fundamental skills in Python programming. Through a combination of lectures and lab experience in simulated network environments, you will learn to use Python basics to create useful and practical scripts with Netmiko to retrieve data and configure network devices. Upon completion of this course, you should have a basic understanding of Python, including the knowledge to create, apply, and troubleshoot simple network automation scripts.

This course will help you:

Explain the need for network engineers to learn how to program
Explain how programming relates to the journey into network automation and programmability
Create useful and practical scripts to retrieve data and configure network devices
Create, apply, and troubleshoot simple network automation scripts
Gain hands-on experience with Python programming

Who should attend

This course is intended for:
Network administrators
Network engineers with little or no programming or Python experience
Network managers
Systems engineers

Prerequisites

Before taking this course, you should have:
Familiarity with Cisco IOS®-XE software or other Cisco network device configuration and operation skills
Basic network management knowledge
Cisco CCNA® certification or equivalent knowledge

The following Cisco courses can help you gain the knowledge you need to prepare for this course:
Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA)

Course Objectives

After taking this course, you should be able to:
Create a Python script
Describe data types commonly used in Python coding
Describe Python strings and their use cases
Describe Python loops, conditionals, operators, and their purposes and use cases
Describe Python classes, methods, functions, namespaces, and scopes
Describe the options for Python data manipulation and storage
Describe Python modules and packages, their uses, and their benefits
Explain how to manipulate user input in Python
Describe error and exception management in Python
Describe Python code debugging methods

Course Outline:

Introducing Programmability and Python for Network Engineers
Scripting with Python
Examining Python Data Types
Manipulating Strings
Describing Conditionals, Loops, and Operators
Exploring Classes, Methods, Functions, Namespaces, and Scopes
Exploring Data Storage Options
Exploring Python Modules and Packages
Gathering and Validating User Input
Analyzing Exceptions and Error Management
Examining Debugging Methods
Course Summary

Lab Topology

Execute Your First Python Program
Use the Python Interactive Shell
Explore Foundation Python Data Types
Explore Complex Python Data Types
Use Standard String Operations
Use Basic Pattern Matching
Reformat MAC Addresses
Use the if-else Construct
Use for Loops
Use while Loops
Create and Use Functions
Create and Use Classes
Use the Python main() Construct
Traverse the File Structure
Read Data in Comma-Separated Values (CSV) Format
Read, Store, and Retrieve Data in XML Format
Read, Store, and Retrieve Date in JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) Format
Read, Store, and Retrieve Data in a Raw or Unstructured Format
Import Modules from the Python Standard Library
Import External Libraries
Create a Python Module
Prompt the User for Input
Use Command-Line Arguments
Manage Exceptions with the try-except Structure
Manage Exceptions with the try-except-finally Structure
Use Assertions
Use Simple Debugging Methods
Use the Python Debugger
Code a Practical Debugging Script