Network Automation Cookbook: Over 100 recipes to effectively configure and manage network infrastructure with Ansible

Explore network automation with Ansible by configuring network infrastructure fast, reliably, and repeatedly all while creating a lab utilizing open and available network operating systems and tools. Key Features Design, build, and automate network devices and cloud networking resources using Ansible. Orchestrate workflows with AWX and integrate Nautobot as a Source of Truth. Start with Event-Driven Ansible and manage Terraform workflows seamlessly. Book DescriptionNetwork Automation Cookbook, now in its second edition, is your essential guide to building robust network automation workflows across modern hybrid infrastructures. Building on the foundation laid in the first edition, this version dives deeper into Ansible’s role in automating network infrastructure, expanding coverage to include modern use cases across enterprise and cloud networks. The book introduces Ansible’s core concepts such as playbooks, inventories, variables, loops, templates and progresses to advanced topics like parallelism, fact caching, custom filters, and modular design. You will automate real-world scenarios using Nokia SR, Cisco IOS, Juniper, and Arista devices in a fully reproducible virtual lab. It also explores cloud automation for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, and integrates validation tools like PyATS, Batfish, and Nautobot. New chapters cover event-driven automation, AWX for workflow execution, and Terraform integration. Whether you're a network engineer, DevOps pro, or cloud architect, this book equips you with the tools and workflows to automate infrastructure efficiently with Ansible. What you will learn Build Ansible playbooks, roles, and inventories from scratch Automate Cisco, Juniper, Arista, and F5 network devices Deploy cloud networks on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Validate networks with Batfish, PyATS, and NAPALM Use AWX for workflow automation and job scheduling Integrate NetBox or Nautobot as dynamic inventory sources Run all recipes in containerized, hardware-free labs Apply event-driven automation using Ansible Rulebooks Who this book is forThis edition helps readers understand Ansible’s role in network automation and how it integrates with tools like Terraform and event-driven architectures. With hands-on labs and fully reproducible recipes, readers can practice real-world scenarios and reinforce their skills. Ideal for network engineers, automation engineers, and NREs, the book requires basic networking knowledge and familiarity with YAML to maximize learning.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents Why Ansible for Network Automation Building blocks of Ansible Advanced Ansible Concepts Managing Nokia SR Devices using Ansible Automating Juniper Devices in the Service Providers using Ansible Building Data Center Networks with Arista and Ansible Administering Multi Vendor Network with NAPALM and Ansible Deploying and operating AWS networking resources with Ansible Deploying and operating Azure networking resources with Ansible Deploying and operating Google networking resources with Ansible Network Validation with PyATS or Batfish Building a Network Inventory with Nautobot Simplifying Automation with AWX Event-Driven Ansible Terraform and Ansible dancing together The LAB