Network Automation Consultant
Network Automation Consultant for Enterprises and IT Teams
Helping organisations assess, design, and implement network automation solutions that reduce errors and operating costs.
Training >
Master the many network automation technologies from myself, Roger Perkin CCIE #50038
There are so many Network Automation Tools to learn, Ansible, Python, Git, Gitlab, Github, API’s, Nornir and so many more.
Enrol in one of my easy to follow courses and I will guide you into this incredible and exciting world of network automation.
Ansible is one of the easiest ways to get started with network automation.
Python is the most popular language for network automation and is becoming an essential skill for network engineers to learn.
Python for Network Engineers Course
Git is very popular with network engineers to version control their code, configurations and playbooks.
Ansible Inventory
Ansible Roles
Ansible vs Python
What is Ansible
Ansible Vault Tutorial
Ansible Palo Alto
Ansible Variable Precedence
Getting started with AWX
Ansible Playbook Example
Ansible Tutorial for Beginners
Ansible Network Automation Course
Check out my YouTube Ansible Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLplGU0K93TA6k5L6VX9mYnwgPK5MYe_9c
Cloud
With more networking moving to the cloud a solid understanding of all cloud options is essential for any network engineer today
Cisco SDA
Version Control
If this is all new to you, then you might want to start here – What is Network Automation?
| Network Automation Tools | Description |
| Ansible | Open source tool, owned by Red Hat, one of the most popular network automation tools in use in 2024 |
| Python | Python is a programming language that is used for network automation, it is the most popular programming language alongside Golang coming a popular second |
| Terraform | Initially a cloud management tool but gaining massive popularity in the network space with the addition of more and more collections |
| Git | Version Control needs to be at the heart of any automation activities and Git is the most popular tool in use today. |
Latest Content
How to Install Nautobot
Install Nautobot on Ubuntu Server This post will cover how to install Nautobot, installing and configuring the Nautobot application on an Ubuntu Server. You can install Nautobot onto a RHEL (Red Hat …
How to Install local LLM using Ollama
How to install a local LLM using Ollama Before we build any AI frameworks or demos, we need to get a local LLM running. Why do I need to install a local LLM? For any AI development you are going to …
AI for Network Engineers: 10 Practical Ways to Use AI in Network Automation
Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a valuable tool for network engineers. While much of the conversation around AI focuses on software development, the reality is that AI can also help …
What is Nautobot?
What is Nautobot? Nautobot is an open-source network automation and network source of truth platform designed to help network teams manage, model, and automate their infrastructure. At its core, …
What is Nautocon?
What is Nautocon? Nautocon is a Nautobot user group dedicated to Nautobot, an open-source Network Source of Truth and Automation Platform developed by Network to Code. Nautocon is a mini conference …
Understanding the Nautobot Data Model
The Nautobot Data Model models your network using a few core objects, the most important ones are Sites, Locations, Devices, Device Types, Interfaces, IP Addresses and Prefixes. Each object represents …
Data Modeling Tutorial for Network Engineers
What is Data Modeling? Data Modeling in network engineering is the structured representation of network infrastructure (devices, links, services) to enable automation, improve consistency, and act as …
What is N8N?
N8N which is pronounced “n eight n” is a low code workflow automation tool designed to connect different API’s, workflows & databases. It uses a visual node-based UI to build …
How to Use NetBox as a Source of Truth for Network Automation
In this post I am going to show you how to use NetBox as a Source of Truth for Network Automation. What Source of Truth means in network automation In network automation, a “Source of Truth” is the …
Nautobot Device Onboarding Tutorial
What Is Nautobot Device Onboarding? Nautobot Device Onboarding is a Nautobot app that automates the discovery and initial population of network devices into Nautobot, turning existing network …
The Importance of Network Orchestration in Modern Infrastructure
Modern infrastructure is evolving faster than ever. Hybrid cloud, zero-trust architectures, container platforms, and distributed applications have created a world where traditional, device-by-device …
What Splunk Does
Splunk collects, indexes, and analyzes machine-generated data to provide insights into business operations, IT, network engineers and security. Is Splunk Free? Splunk Enterprise does have a free …
How to enable unauthenticated access to Netbox Docker
Netbox Permissions By default any unauthenticated users on Netbox will not be able to view anything, you can control read and write permissions via users in Netbox. However there may be a situation …
Nautobot Golden Config
The golden config app is a Nautobot app that provides a NetDevOps approach to golden configuration and configuration compliance. Nautobot Golden Config Tutorial For the full breakdown please refer to …
Nautobot Jobs
Nautobot jobs are an efficient way to run your Python based network automation scripts / API calls within a controlled environment, enabling you to provide access to the entire team. Nautobot jobs …
How to Delete Netbox (Docker)
In this post I will detail the steps on how to delete Netbox. My use case is for lab use and it’s not typically something you would want to do with your production Netbox! 1. Navigate to your …
How to Upgrade Netbox – Netbox Upgrade Guide
In this post I will cover the process to upgrade a Netbox installation running in Docker. I will be upgrading from version 3.7.4 to version 4.3.4 When upgrading Netbox, as the software is based on …
NetDevOps Tools
NetDevOps Tools or Network DevOps Tools – whatever you want to call are the tools that network engineers are using now to manage their network in a devops focussed way. Tools such as Ansible, …
Netbox MCP Server
Netbox MCP Server is a read only MCP Server for Netbox that allows you to interact with your data in Netbox via LLMs https://github.com/netboxlabs/netbox-mcp-server
Ansible Roles
Ansible Roles Examples Ansible Roles vs Playbooks What are Ansible Roles? Ansible roles and playbooks are both essential components of Ansible’s configuration management system, but they serve …
Juniper Virtual Switch
Juniper Virtual Switch setup using vJunos In this post I am going to spin up a Juniper Virtual Switch in Containerlab using the vJunos Switch image which is available to download for free from: …
Ansible Questions
Over the next few days I am going to answer every one of these questions, if you have an Ansible question or want one answered below drop it in the comments – Thanks! Ansible Basics Playbooks …
AWX Workflows
AWX Workflows Tutorial …
Which language is best for network automation?
Which language is best for network automation is one of the most common questions I get asked. Python is the best language for network automation because of its simplicity, extensive libraries, …
Getting Started with AWX: 10 Key Questions Answered
Whether you’re exploring AWX for the first time or already using it in production, getting started with AWX is the hardest part and asking the right questions can help you get more value out of …
Jinja2 Templating Tutorial
Jinja2 Templating Tutorial for Beginners Jinja2 Template Example Jinja2 Template Example Python Python Jinja2 Template from File Jinja2 Templates for Cisco
Python Package Manger
UV the ultimate Python Package Manager What is UV? UV is a Python package manager and installer written in Rust, it has been designed to be faster and more efficient than pip and other package …
What is the difference between Ansible AWX workflow template and job template?
AWX Workflow Template An Ansible AWX Workflow Template allows you to chain multiple Job Templates (and even other Workflow Templates) together in a defined sequence or conditional structure. It is …
How Businesses Can Future-Proof Their IT Infrastructure for Growth
IT professionals face the dual challenge of maintaining robust operational systems while simultaneously preparing for future growth in the modern world. Future-proofing your IT infrastructure isn’t …
Nuphy Air 75 v2
Nuphy Air 75 v2 – Tips and Tricks This is the Nuphy Air 75 v2 and the following tips and tricks will get you started with all the amazing features this keyboard has. Nuphy Air 75 v2 Bluetooth …
Pynetbox
Pynetbox is a Python library that serves as an API client for NetBox, an open-source IP address management (IPAM) and data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) tool. This library allows …
How to Install Infrahub
Infrahub is a new source of truth from Opsmill, that allows you to create your own Schema. This means you are in control of the data model, which gives network engineers unlimited options for how …
Getting Started with NetBox
Once you have installed NetBox – you can check my post here – How to Install Netbox you are faced with an empty NetBox and you want to start adding devices but there is a bit of a …
NetBox API
The NetBox API is powered by the Django REST Framework and provides an easy way to access NetBox to read, create, modify or delete an object programmatically. NetBox API documentation The NetBox API …
Netbox Custom Scripts
Netbox Custom Scripts are just Python scripts that you can run inside of Netbox to perform tasks like creating a new site. They allow you do access the Netbox data model directly but the code is …
Cisco YANG Suite
What is the Cisco YANG Suite? Cisco YANG Suite is used to construct and test YANG based APIs over NETCONF, RESTCONF, gRPC and gNMI on Cisco IOS XE, IOS XR, and NX-OS platforms. Cisco’s YANG …
JNCIA DevOps
JNCIA DevOps Certification The JNCIA-DevOps (Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate – Automation and DevOps) is an associate-level certification in Juniper Networks’ Certification …
How to monitor Ubuntu Server for Disk and CPU usage
Monitoring CPU Usage 1. Top Command The top command provides a real-time view of system resource usage, including CPU usage. 2. htop (Interactive Version of top) htop is a more user-friendly, …
Juniper Cheat Sheet
Configuration and Show Commands for Juniper Basic Junos Router Show Commands & Configurations Here are 10 essential Junos commands and configurations to help you get started with your Junos …
Network Automation Resources
Network Automation Resources Learning Network Automation Network Automation Tools Network Automation Platform
Docker Tips and Tricks
How to remove all Docker Containers? To remove all Docker containers from your server run the command Note: The “-f” option will force the removal of a running container How to run docker …
7 Helpful Git Commands
A best practice way to run some more complex git commands is using an alias. To create a Git Alias use the command For more Git Tutorials check out my other page
What is the difference between Nokia SR Linux and Nokia SR OS?
The terms Nokia SR Linux and Nokia SR OS refer to different software products used in Nokia’s networking equipment, but they serve distinct purposes and are used in different contexts. …
How to bring up vJunos Router in Containerlab
Containerlab is a brilliant way to bring up network testing labs, and Juniper have released free vJunos images that you can use. In this post I am going to download the vJunos image and load it into …
Infrahub Schema
Infrahub Schema Tutorial In the world of Network Automation, Infrahub is leading the way with a new source of truth. Infrahub Schema allows you taking all the best bits of source of truths that have …
How to Install Netbox on Ubuntu – Netbox Installation Guide
Install Netbox Docker Netbox Install, installing Netbox is a very quick and easy process and you should be up and running in under 10 minutes! Whilst there are many ways to install Netbox for this …
What is Infrahub & Opsmill?
Introduction to Infrahub About 7 years ago Damien Garros started to think about how to solve some of the fundamental challenges organisations had with developing and maintaining infrastructure …
Get Started with Cisco Modelling Labs for Free
Is Cisco Modelling Labs Free? Cisco have just announced a free tier to their Cisco Modelling Labs platform. This is huge for network engineers, the only way to previously access CML was with the $199 …
Want to Learn with me?
Get started in the world of Network Automation with my
courses on Ansible, Nornir & Git
CCIE #50038
I became CCIE #50038 (Routing & Switching) in August 2015 and now work as a Network Automation Architect
Devnet Certified
My most recent certification is the Cisco Certified Devnet Associate.
Proud to be a member of the class of 2020!
YouTube
I produce videos on YouTube covering all topics of Network Automation
Network Automation Consultancy
My network automation consultancy helps businesses modernise infrastructure through intelligent, scalable solutions. I specialise in automating network configuration, monitoring, and deployment to reduce manual effort, minimise errors, and improve efficiency. With expertise in DevOps, cloud networking, and infrastructure as code, I design and implement systems that are reliable, secure, and future-ready.
Hire an Automation Expert today
Whether you are optimizing existing environments or building from scratch, our consultancy delivers tailored strategies to accelerate digital transformation. Partner with us to streamline operations, enhance performance, and gain full visibility and control over your network with advanced automation technologies.
Hire a Network Automation Consultant
Network Automation Courses
If you are looking for premium network automation training courses in Ansible, Python, Nornir (and coming soon Git) I have authored a few courses which will accelerate your learning. Buy as a single courses or as a single bundle.
Working as a Network Automation Consultant I am using all these technologies every day so you can be assured I am up to date with all the latest advancements in network automation. If you are looking for an automation consultant please get in touch using the Contact Page
Ansible Course
My Ansible training is 100% hands on video labs taking you from installing Ansible all the way to running your first production playbooks.
Master Ansible today and be up and running in a few hours with my Ansible Training
Hi, I’m Roger Perkin, I am CCIE #50038 and have been designing and building enterprise networks for over 20 years. Check out my GitHub site – rogerperkin.github.io
I provide free and paid learning in all areas of Network Automation. Ansible, Python, Git, Nornir and more. Coming soon is my Network Automation Bootcamp which will get you to master network automation concepts.
Currently working as a Network Automation consultant, previously a Network Automation Engineer
Check out all my Work from Home tips! and my Self Build Garden Office
My favourite Laptop stand – Roost Laptop Stand – How to clean laptop screen
Random Fact: When I am not automating networks I work as a Close up Magician a Magician Hampshire so if you are looking for some dinner party entertainment ideas or a London Magician – please get touch!
Or check out my daughter Hampshire Newborn Photographer Eden Grace
Check out this page if you are having issues with Bose QC35 and bluetooth to Windows 10
How to connect Bose headphones to laptop
Videos
I also have a YouTube channel where I publish videos on Network Automation, Subscribe to be notified when I upload a new video
