Python Libraries for Network Automation are ready-made Python tools that help engineers automate network tasks such as device configuration, monitoring, troubleshooting, and data collection.
If you are someone who manages routers, switches, firewalls or cloud networks, you have likely been faced with many repetitive tasks that cost a lot of time. Examples of such tasks include device status checking, configuration backups, and making changes. This is where Python libraries for network automation become beneficial. These libraries make it easy for network engineers to quickly connect to devices, execute commands, collect outputs, and confirm configurations, as well as make changes much quicker than several hours of manual work.
In this blog, we will discuss the best Python libraries for network automation, along with their functionality and benefits.
Before getting into more details, let us first understand what Network automation is.
What is Network Automation?
Network automation is the process of using software, scripts, and tools to manage network tasks automatically. It helps configure devices, monitor performance, reduce manual errors, save time, and improve the efficiency of network operations.
Let us now move on to our next section where we will discuss each Python libraries for network automation in detail.
Top Python Libraries for Network Automation
Most common used Python libraries for network automation are Nornir, NAPALM, Netmiko, Scrapli, Genie, TextFSM, Jinja2, Pydantic, HTTPX, Request, PyYAML, and NCClient.
1. Nornir
Nornir is a Python automation framework tool. It helps you manage inventory, run tasks, and collect results from multiple devices. Nornir is different from other tools because it is fully Python based. This means you can use normal Python logic for your automation workflow.
How to Install Nornir?
Use the given command to install Nornir.
py -m pip install nornirNornir uses inventory files to store device details, such as:
- Hostnames
- IP addresses
- Usernames and passwords
- device types and groups.
After that, Nornir runs tasks on those devices. These tasks also use other libraries like Netmiko, NAPALM, Scrapli, and Jinja2.
Nornir is helpful when you are looking for greater control over your automation process. With Nornir, you can configure how tasks run, how results are managed, and how errors will be dealt with.
Nornir is also useful when there are many devices that require the same task performed on them simultaneously. It has the ability to run tasks in parallel and therefore, can greatly improve the efficiency of your automation process.
2. NAPALM
NAPALM stands for Network Automation and Programmability Abstraction Layer with Multivendor support. It gives a common way to work with different network devices and also one of the python networking libraries that network engineers use.
How to install NAPALM?
To install NAPALM, you can use the given command.
py -m pip install napalmNAPALM uses drivers for different network operating systems. These drivers allow Python to talk to devices in a standard way.
For example, you can use NAPALM to:
- Collect facts
- Check interfaces
- Get ARP tables
- Get LLDP neighbors and manage configurations
The biggest benefit of NAPALM is multi-vendor support. If your network has Cisco, Juniper, and Arista devices, NAPALM can help you use one style of code for many platforms. NAPALM also supports safer configuration changes. It can show differences before changes are applied. This helps reduce the risk of mistakes.
3. Netmiko
Netmiko is one of the most popular python libraries for network automation. It is built to make SSH based network automation easier. Many network devices still depend on CLI. Netmiko helps Python connect to those devices, run commands, and return the output.
How to install Netmiko?
To install Netmiko, use the given command.
py -m pip install netmikoHow Netmiko Works?
Netmiko understands network device prompts, privilege mode, command paging, and configuration mode. This makes it easier than using a basic SSH library.
You provide device details like IP address, username, password, and device type. Netmiko then connects to the device and runs the required commands.
Netmiko is simple and beginner friendly. It is a good starting point for people learning python for networking libraries. It supports many device platforms, including Cisco, Juniper, Arista, and others.
4. Scrapli
Scrapli is a modern Python library used to communicate with network devices. It supports CLI automation and can also work with NETCONF through Scrapli NETCONF.
How to install Scrapli?
You can install Scrapli with the given command.
py -m pip install scrapliScrapli provides drivers for common network platforms. It supports both normal and async workflows. Async support helps when you want to connect to many devices quickly.
Scrapli is known for speed and clean design. It is useful when performance matters and when you need to collect data from many devices. It is also useful for teams that are building modern Python automation tools.
5. Genie
Genie is a Cisco pyATS library used for network automation, testing, and validation. It helps engineers parse network device outputs into structured data and verify the operational state of devices. Cisco describes Genie as the standard pyATS network device library.
How to install Genie?
You can install Genie with the given command.
py -m pip install "pyatsThis installs pyATS along with the pyATS Library network automation packages, including Genie-related components.
How Genie Works?
Genie works with pyATS testbeds to connect to network devices, run commands, and convert CLI output into structured Python data. This makes it easier to analyze configurations, compare device states, and automate network testing.
Why Genie is Useful?
Genie is useful for network validation, troubleshooting, and automated testing. It helps engineers check whether devices are working correctly, compare before-and-after network changes, and reduce manual command checking.
6. TextFSM
TextFSM is used to parse raw command output. Network devices often return text that is hard to use directly in scripts. TextFSM converts that text into structured data.
How to install TextFSM?
To install TextFSM, run the given command.
py -m pip install textfsmTextFSM uses templates to understand command output. These templates tell Python which parts of the output should be captured. For example, a show interface command may return many lines of text. TextFSM can extract interface name, status, protocol, and description.
Raw CLI output is difficult to filter and compare. Structured data is easier to search, store, and report. TextFSM makes automation more useful because the script can make decisions based on clean data.
7. Jinja2
Jinja2 is a template engine. In network automation, it is used to create device configurations from templates.
How to install Jinja2?
Just run the below given command.
py -m pip install jinja2You create a template with placeholders. Then Python fills those placeholders with real values. For example, you can create one interface template and use different interface names, descriptions, IP addresses, and VLANs for different devices.
Jinja2 helps keep configurations consistent. It reduces copy paste work and lowers the chance of mistakes. It is very useful when you need to create similar configurations for many devices.
8. Pydantic
Pydantic is used to validate data in Python. In network automation, this is helpful because wrong data can cause wrong configurations.
How to install Pydantic?
py -m pip install pydanticPydantic checks whether data matches the expected format. For example, it can check whether a field is a string, number, list, or valid value.
Automation should be safe. If your input data is wrong, your output can also be wrong.
Pydantic helps catch errors early before they reach the network device.
9. HTTPX and Requests
Many modern network platforms support APIs. These APIs allow Python to communicate with controllers, dashboards, cloud systems, and devices. HTTPX and Requests are popular libraries for sending API requests.
How to Install HTTPX and Requests?
py -m pip install httpx requestsHow HTTPX and Requests Work?
These libraries send HTTP requests such as GET and POST. They can collect data from APIs or send data to update a system.
Why HTTPX and Requests are Useful?
Modern networks are not only managed through CLI. Many tools now use REST APIs. With these libraries, you can automate firewalls, cloud platforms, SDN controllers, monitoring tools, and IP address management systems.
10. PyYAML Handling YAML Data
PyYAML is one of the most useful python libraries for beginners. It helps Python read and write YAML files.
How to install PyYAML?
py -m pip install pyyamlYAML files store data in a clean and readable way. Network engineers can use YAML to store device inventory, usernames, groups, site details, and variables.
Keeping data inside the script can make the script messy. PyYAML allows you to keep data separate from the logic. This makes your automation cleaner and easier to update.
11. NCClient
NCClient is a Python library for network automation using devices that are compatible with NETCONF. It allows engineers to connect to network devices to retrieve configuration data, make changes to configurations, and manage devices with the XML-based NETCONF operation.
How to install NCClient?
You can install NCClient with the given command.
py -m pip install ncclientHow NCClient Works?
NCClient connects to network devices over NETCONF, usually through SSH. It allows you to send NETCONF requests such as `get`, `get-config`, `edit-config`, and `commit`. These operations help you collect device data and update configurations in a structured way.
Why NCClient is Useful?
NCClient is useful for automating modern network devices that support NETCONF. It is helpful when you need structured configuration management, safer device changes, and programmatic control over network equipment. It is commonly used in automation workflows for vendors like Cisco, Juniper, and other NETCONF-supported platforms.
Python Network Automation Libraries Comparison
Below, we have discussed all the Python libraries for network automation in a tabular form.
| Python Libraries for Network Automation | Installation Command | Use Case |
| Nornir | py -m pip install nornir | Runs tasks on multiple devices. |
| NAPALM | py -m pip install napalm | Supports multi-vendor automation. |
| Netmiko | py -m pip install netmiko | Automates devices using SSH. |
| Scrapli | py -m pip install scrapli | Fast CLI-based automation. |
| Genie | py -m pip install “pyats[full]” | Tests and validates networks. |
| TextFSM | py -m pip install textfsm | Converts CLI output into data. |
| Jinja2 | py -m pip install jinja2 | Creates configuration templates. |
| Pydantic | py -m pip install pydantic | Validates automation data. |
| HTTPX and Requests | py -m pip install httpx requests | Sends API requests. |
| PyYAML | py -m pip install pyyaml | Reads and writes YAML files. |
| NCClient | py -m pip install ncclient | Automates NETCONF devices. |
Why Use Python for Network Automation?
Python is extensively used in automated network management because it’s easy to use, versatile, and supported by a variety of robust libraries. Network engineers can use Python in order to connect to switches, routers or firewalls. They can also connect to cloud platforms. With Python, it’s easy for network engineers to execute commands, gather outputs, verify configurations, as well as automate routine tasks.
If you are new to the basics, start with our guide on Python automation before exploring network-specific libraries. Once you understand the foundation, libraries like Netmiko, NAPALM, Nornir, Scrapli, and PyYAML make network automation faster, safer, and easier to scale.
Reading about Python libraries for network automation is a great start but real skills come from hands-on practice. If you want to go from understanding these tools to actually using them on real devices, check out the Network Automation Course with Python & Ansible by PyNet Labs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which Python libraries are commonly used for automation?
Netmiko, NAPALM, Nornir, TextFSM, Jinja2, Requests, PyYAML, Scrapli, pyATS & Genie are all examples of commonly used Python libraries for network automation.
Q2. What are the top 5 Python libraries?
The 5 most common Python libraries for network automation include Netmiko, NAPALM, Nornir, Jinja2, and Requests. Each of these libraries will provide access via SSH, the ability to work across multiple manufacturers, support for orchestration, support for templates, and automation provided via APIs.
Q3. How is Python used for network automation?
Networking Automation typically involves automating tasks such as configuration, backup, monitoring, and data collection. Connecting to devices either by using SSH or using APIs allows for commands to be executed across multiple devices.
Q4. Which one is better for network automation, Ansible or Python?
If you are developing custom logic to support automation, then Python would work best for you. Conversely, if you are seeking a solution to deploy automation quickly with limited experience, then Ansible would be the better option.
Conclusion
Automating a network through the use of Python libraries greatly reduces the complexity of network automation. Python provides many libaries for network automation including Nornir, Netmiko, NAPALM, PyYAML, and many more for both beginners and advanced users. With each library providing a function specific to its usage, engineers can seamlessly integrate multiple libraries together, leading to greatly reduced manual labor (i.e., mistakes made) and a more efficient means of managing networks of all sizes.
