Network Automation Cookbook
Over 100 recipes to effectively configure and manage network infrastructure with Ansible
2nd Edition
Published on 29. August 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
566 pages
978-1-83588-798-1 (ISBN)
Description
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
Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook
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, and templates, and progresses to advanced topics such as 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. The chapters also help you explore cloud automation for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, and integrate validation tools such as PyATS, Batfish, and Nautobot. New chapters cover event-driven automation, AWX for workflow execution, and Terraform integration. By using hands-on labs and fully reproducible recipes, you can practice real-world scenarios and reinforce your skills.
By the end of this book, you'll be well-equipped with the tools and workflows to automate infrastructure efficiently with Ansible.What you will learn
Build Ansible playbooks, roles, and inventories from scratch
Automate Juniper and Arista network devices
Deploy cloud networks on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
Validate networks with Batfish and NAPALM
Use AWX for workflow automation and job scheduling
Integrate Nautobot as a dynamic inventory source
Run all recipes in containerized, hardware-free labs
Apply event-driven automation using Ansible Rulebooks
Who this book is forThis second edition will help network engineers, DevOps pros, cloud architects, automation engineers, and NREs understand Ansible's role in network automation and how it integrates with tools like Terraform and event-driven architectures. The book requires basic networking knowledge and familiarity with YAML to maximize learning.
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
Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook
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, and templates, and progresses to advanced topics such as 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. The chapters also help you explore cloud automation for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, and integrate validation tools such as PyATS, Batfish, and Nautobot. New chapters cover event-driven automation, AWX for workflow execution, and Terraform integration. By using hands-on labs and fully reproducible recipes, you can practice real-world scenarios and reinforce your skills.
By the end of this book, you'll be well-equipped with the tools and workflows to automate infrastructure efficiently with Ansible.What you will learn
Build Ansible playbooks, roles, and inventories from scratch
Automate Juniper and Arista network devices
Deploy cloud networks on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
Validate networks with Batfish and NAPALM
Use AWX for workflow automation and job scheduling
Integrate Nautobot as a dynamic inventory source
Run all recipes in containerized, hardware-free labs
Apply event-driven automation using Ansible Rulebooks
Who this book is forThis second edition will help network engineers, DevOps pros, cloud architects, automation engineers, and NREs understand Ansible's role in network automation and how it integrates with tools like Terraform and event-driven architectures. The book requires basic networking knowledge and familiarity with YAML to maximize learning.
More details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Birmingham
United Kingdom
Edition type
Revised edition
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 191 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
1043 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-83588-798-1 (9781835887981)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Christian Adell is a principal architect at NTC. He is focused on building network automation solutions for diverse use cases, with great emphasis on open source software. He is passionate about learning and helping others to be happier, and also has more hobbies than hours in the day, so working remotely from Barcelona gives him the time and the space to achieve his dreams.
Christian is a co-author of O'Reilly's "Network Programmability and Automation" book and a co-author of the "Modern Network Observability" and "Network Automation with Nautobot" books by Packt. Jeff Kala is a principal architect at Network to Code and holds a BSc in network communication management. He has transformed his career from a traditional network engineer into a network automation architect. His journey started in network engineering, working for a large cellular provider. As the network he helped maintain grew in complexity and size, he explored and implemented automation techniques that resulted in a renewed career trajectory in network automation. Karim Okasha is a network consultant with over 15 years of experience in the ICT industry. He specializes in the design and operation of large telecom and service provider networks and has lots of experience in network automation. Karim has a bachelor's degree in telecommunications and holds several expert-level certifications, such as CCIE, JNCIE, and RHCE. He is currently working at Red Hat as a network automation consultant, helping large telecom and service providers design and implement innovative network automation solutions. Prior to joining Red Hat, he worked for Saudi Telecom Company, as well as Cisco and Orange S.A.
Christian is a co-author of O'Reilly's "Network Programmability and Automation" book and a co-author of the "Modern Network Observability" and "Network Automation with Nautobot" books by Packt. Jeff Kala is a principal architect at Network to Code and holds a BSc in network communication management. He has transformed his career from a traditional network engineer into a network automation architect. His journey started in network engineering, working for a large cellular provider. As the network he helped maintain grew in complexity and size, he explored and implemented automation techniques that resulted in a renewed career trajectory in network automation. Karim Okasha is a network consultant with over 15 years of experience in the ICT industry. He specializes in the design and operation of large telecom and service provider networks and has lots of experience in network automation. Karim has a bachelor's degree in telecommunications and holds several expert-level certifications, such as CCIE, JNCIE, and RHCE. He is currently working at Red Hat as a network automation consultant, helping large telecom and service providers design and implement innovative network automation solutions. Prior to joining Red Hat, he worked for Saudi Telecom Company, as well as Cisco and Orange S.A.
Content
Table of Contents
Why Ansible for Network Automation?
Building Blocks of Ansible
Advanced Ansible Concepts
Building Data Center Networks with Arista
Automating a Juniper Network Core Using Ansible
Managing Nokia SR Devices Using Ansible
Administering a Multi-Vendor Network with NAPALM and Ansible
Deploying and Operating AWS Networking
Deploying and Operating Azure Networking
Deploying and Operating GCP Networking
Network Validation with Batfish
Building a Network Inventory with Nautobot
Simplifying Automation with AWX
Event-Driven Automation with Ansible
Terraform and Ansible Dancing Together
Appendix - The Lab
Why Ansible for Network Automation?
Building Blocks of Ansible
Advanced Ansible Concepts
Building Data Center Networks with Arista
Automating a Juniper Network Core Using Ansible
Managing Nokia SR Devices Using Ansible
Administering a Multi-Vendor Network with NAPALM and Ansible
Deploying and Operating AWS Networking
Deploying and Operating Azure Networking
Deploying and Operating GCP Networking
Network Validation with Batfish
Building a Network Inventory with Nautobot
Simplifying Automation with AWX
Event-Driven Automation with Ansible
Terraform and Ansible Dancing Together
Appendix - The Lab