# Network Automation Power Stack & Learning Resources (2025 Extended Edition) 🚀 **URL:** \ **Category:** Give-Away and Freebies\ **Tags:** tools, programming, technology\ **Created:** [August 3, 2025, 9:06pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/network-automation-power-stack-learning-resources-2025-extended-edition/309369 "2025-08-03T21:06:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aina](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/aina/32/167469_2.png) [@Aina](https://onehack.st/u/Aina)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2025, 9:06pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/network-automation-power-stack-learning-resources-2025-extended-edition/309369/1 "2025-08-03T21:06:21Z")
### ### Network Automation Power Stack & Learning Resources (2025 Extended Edition) 🚀 _Unlock Underground Tools, Courses & Frameworks to Supercharge Networking at Scale_ * * * **🧠 Network automation** is evolving fast—but most guides cover the same surface-level tools. This **underground collection** curates rare, advanced, and often-overlooked **resources, tools, frameworks, and playbooks** used by expert engineers and red-teamers for **massive-scale automation** , security orchestration, and performance management. Whether you’re building automated configs or scaling SDN/NetDevOps, this stack delivers practical firepower. ![image](https://onehack.st/uploads/default/original/3X/a/6/a65292d1e5b1656af33d7361256afbfabb232e00.jpeg) * * * ### 🔧 **Rare Tools & Frameworks** 1. **[Nornir](https://nornir.readthedocs.io/en/latest/)** – A **pure Python automation framework** , unlike Ansible. Nornir is **pluggable** , perfect for **complex workflows** and inventory control. Great for **parallel execution**. 2. **[Suzieq](https://suzieq.readthedocs.io/en/latest/)** – Network observability tool built on **Pandas and Python** , Suzieq is a **state-aware** multi-vendor network checker. Excellent for **validating intent and policy**. 3. **[NetBox](https://netbox.dev/)** – More than an IPAM—NetBox is a **source of truth** for network automation. Combine it with Ansible/Nornir for **config drift detection, provisioning, and CMDB functions**. 4. **[Batfish](https://www.batfish.org/)** – An open-source **network configuration analysis engine** to predict changes, audit routing, or detect misconfigs **before going live**. 5. **[Napalm](https://napalm.readthedocs.io/en/latest/)** – Multi-vendor **Python automation library**. Supports real-time config compliance checks, deployment, and rollback features across Cisco, Juniper, and Arista. 6. **[Scrapli](https://carlmontanari.com/projects/scrapli/)** – Lightweight, fast Python **SSH library** tailored for **network devices**. More performant and extensible than Netmiko. 7. **[Netmiko](https://github.com/ktbyers/netmiko)** – Still relevant! The classic library for **SSH automation** , with strong support for Cisco and legacy vendors. 8. **[Clogeny Config Validator (CCV)](https://github.com/clogeny/ccv)** – Rare open-source config validation utility to enforce **network security standards** via YAML templates. 9. **[Autonetkit](https://github.com/HPENetworking/Autonetkit)** – Generates real-time **virtual labs** and topologies from YAML/JSON configs. Can simulate changes and test them in **emulated environments**. 10. **[TTP (TextFSM++)](https://github.com/dmulyalin/ttp)** – Super-lightweight **text parser** for logs, CLI output, configs. A powerful extension to **TextFSM** , used in **scraping and alerting workflows**. * * * ### 🎓 **Lesser-Known Learning Resources** 1. **[Kirk Byers’ Free Network Automation Course](https://pynet.twb-tech.com/)** One of the **most practical intro-to-advanced** series. Focuses on **Netmiko, NAPALM, and APIs**. 2. **[NetworkToCode GitHub](https://github.com/networktocode)** Packed with **labs, playbooks, open-source tools** and training materials. Great for **self-hosted lab automation**. 3. **[NSO Developer Hub (Cisco)](https://developer.cisco.com/nso/)** Advanced platform for service orchestration and **YANG-based modeling**. Often overlooked in mainstream tutorials. 4. **[Itential Academy (Free Tracks)](https://www.itential.com/learn/)** Great for learning **API-driven orchestration** with GUI + Python approaches. Integrates with NetBox and existing ITSM. 5. **[Juniper’s DevOps & NetDevOps Courses](https://learningportal.juniper.net/)** High-quality **free and paid courses** tailored to **network engineers transitioning into code-driven workflows**. * * * ### 🔍 **Extra Rare Finds** - **[Jinja2 Template Playground](https://j2live.ttl255.com/)** Test config templates in-browser. Great for learning how to **modularize** playbooks before deployment. - **[YANG Explorer](https://github.com/CiscoDevNet/yang-explorer)** GUI for browsing YANG models—ideal for anyone integrating with **modern SDN controllers**. - **[NAPALM Validate Templates](https://github.com/napalm-automation/napalm-validate)** Do config and state validation **like compliance engineers** using YAML-driven logic. * * * _Underground Tools, APIs, and Labs to Build Enterprise-Grade Infrastructure Without Vendor Lock-in_ This curated collection of **lesser-known but powerful tools** empowers teams to build **intent-based, API-driven, testable infrastructure** at scale. * * * ## 🔧 **Extended Tools & Frameworks** | **Tool** | **Use Case** | **Why It’s Rare but Valuable** | | --- | --- | --- | | **[StackStorm](https://stackstorm.com/)** | Event-driven automation | Integrates scripts, APIs, and services into workflows. Excellent for **network + security** event orchestration. | | **[NSOT (Network Source of Truth)](https://github.com/dropbox/nsot)** | Source of truth system | Developed by Dropbox. Lightweight, REST-based alternative to NetBox. Great for dynamic automation. | | **[Netopeer2](https://github.com/CESNET/Netopeer2)** | NETCONF server toolkit | Build or simulate real network devices with NETCONF/YANG models. Ideal for **labbing and SDN testbeds**. | | **[RESTCONF & YANG Tools Hub](https://yangcatalog.org/)** | YANG model catalog | Search & test YANG models across all vendors. Useful for building model-driven automation. | | **[pyATS + Genie](https://developer.cisco.com/pyats/)** | Test automation framework | Cisco’s open-source test automation tool. Simulates, validates, and verifies config changes. | | **[ToDD (Testing on Demand Daemon)](https://github.com/toddproject/todd)** | Network test automation | Perform distributed network tests across multiple nodes. Good for real-time mesh validation. | | **[SaltStack + Napalm](https://github.com/saltstack/salt/pull/49533)** | Orchestration + Device API | Run high-scale state enforcement using Salt with NAPALM. Great for config drift + compliance. | | **[Netshot](https://github.com/netfishers-onl/Netshot)** | Configuration backup, diff, & audit | Automated config backup + change detection for routers/switches. RESTful and highly scriptable. | | **[Oxidized](https://github.com/ytti/oxidized)** | Config versioning tool | Think Git for router configs. Watch devices, auto-pull config snapshots and diffs. | | **[Trigger](https://github.com/trigger/trigger)** | Multi-vendor CLI automation | High-performance CLI tool focused on **fast command execution across networks**. | | **[RANCID](https://shrubbery.net/rancid/)** | Legacy config tracker | Still viable for older networks. Automates config snapshots, changes, alerts. | | **[CloudNetSim (EVE-NG+Python)](https://github.com/inetsim/cloudnetsim)** | Cloud automation simulator | Create dynamic network topologies, test failovers, and provisioning flows in sandbox environments. | | **[TNT (Topogun Network Topology)](https://github.com/netenglabs/tnt)** | Diagram → Config generator | Turn YAML-based network topologies into complete **Ansible/Nornir templates**. | | **[Nautobot](https://github.com/nautobot/nautobot)** | Successor to NetBox | Adds plugins, GraphQL, and job scheduling. Ideal for dynamic workflows. Maintained by Network to Code. | | **[CVP API Toolkit (Arista)](https://github.com/aristanetworks)** | CloudVision Python modules | Automate Arista CVP deployment, validation, and rollback with Python. | | **[OpenDaylight](https://www.opendaylight.org/)** | SDN controller framework | Model-based orchestration, **network slicing** , and flow programming via REST APIs and YANG. | * * * ## 🎓 **Deep & Rare Learning Resources** 1. **[DevNet Sandbox](https://developer.cisco.com/site/sandbox/)** Spin up **live testbeds** (IOS XE, XR, NSO, Meraki, SD-WAN) in the cloud. Free, zero setup. 2. **[NetDevOps Live (Video Archive)](https://www.networktocode.com/netdevops-live/)** Weekly technical deep dives on **real automation labs** and tools like GitOps, Suzieq, and Nautobot. 3. **[Packet Pushers Labs](https://packetpushers.net/tag/lab/)** Rare articles and practical labs from real engineers on **NetOps, Infra as Code, and policy orchestration**. 4. **[API Network Automation Bootcamp (Juniper Free)](https://learningportal.juniper.net/)** Focus on **Junos automation** , PyEZ, and network APIs. 5. **[Ansible for Networking Deep Dive (Red Hat)](https://www.ansible.com/network-automation)** Covers templating, validation, and compliance. 6. **[Nautobot Academy](https://academy.networktocode.com/)** Free courses + real-world automation projects using Nautobot, GraphQL, jobs, and plugins. * * * ### ⚙ **Bonus Gems** - **[NETCONF Test Tool](https://github.com/NSO-developer/NetconfTestTool)** Simulate NETCONF sessions and device models to **test automation before pushing live**. - **[nAPIdoc](https://github.com/sandipb/nAPIdoc)** Converts API calls into readable docs. Use it for **auto-generating API documentation for your NetOps apps**. - **[Terraform for Networking](https://registry.terraform.io/namespaces/networktocode)** Use **Terraform modules** to automate NetBox, IOS-XR, Fortinet, and more. * * * ## 💡 **Pro Tip for 2025** > **Build your own orchestration layer** by combining: > > - `NetBox` or `Nautobot` as your **Source of Truth** > > - `Nornir` for fast, parallel execution > > - `Scrapli`/`NAPALM` to talk to devices > > - `StackStorm` or `Ansible` for playbook orchestration > > - `GitLab CI` or `Jenkins` to trigger tests & deploys via GitOps * * * ### ⚙ **Pro Tip** > **Combine Nornir + NetBox + Scrapli** to build a **vendor-agnostic dynamic automation framework** that runs scheduled configs, collects logs, and audits your infra **without reinventing the wheel**. * * * ### 📌 **Summary** This stack isn’t for everyone—it’s tailored for serious builders who want to go **beyond Ansible and scripts** , into reproducible, scalable, policy-driven automation. From **network-as-code** to **event-driven pipelines** , this collection unlocks **enterprise-grade capabilities** without vendor lock-in. This **rare-stack** is for engineers ready to **push automation beyond YAML and playbooks** —into programmable, testable, versioned, and **self-healing infrastructure**. From SDN to legacy routers, these tools are battle-tested in real environments but **unfairly underused**. Now they’re all in one place. * * * ## ENJOY & HAPPY LEARNING! ❤ ---
**Author:** ![leejiacheng1](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/leejiacheng1/32/94426_2.png) [@leejiacheng1](https://onehack.st/u/leejiacheng1)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2025, 11:33pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/network-automation-power-stack-learning-resources-2025-extended-edition/309369/2 "2025-08-03T23:33:03Z")
Another goldmine resources, appreciate đź‘Ť ---
**Author:** ![srojan\_s](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/srojan_s/32/160287_2.png) [@srojan\_s](https://onehack.st/u/srojan_s)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 2:39am UTC](https://onehack.st/t/network-automation-power-stack-learning-resources-2025-extended-edition/309369/3 "2025-08-11T02:39:57Z")
excellent collection for folks who are looking into labbing checkout container lab ! it is awesome 🙂