Ep 134 - Delving into the Intricacies of Network Automation with Ansible Expert Tony Dubiel
Dec 6, 2023
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In this podcast, the hosts introduce Tony Dubiel, a Product Solutions Architect for Ansible Network Automation at Red Hat. They discuss the importance of a networking background in collaboration, the use of different automation tools, and the challenges of network automation. They also delve into the Ansible Automation Platform, the debate over using Terraform, and the advantages of using validated content for network automation.
Starting with a small, attainable goal is crucial when diving into network automation with Ansible.
Identifying specific use cases that align with customer needs and bring immediate value is essential for successful automation with Ansible.
Leveraging lab environments provides an ideal space for learning, experimenting, and building confidence in network automation with Ansible.
Deep dives
Start with a small, attainable goal
When getting started with Ansible, it's best to begin with a small, attainable goal. For a medium-sized enterprise customer looking to explore network automation, assessing their current state and identifying a low-impact area to start would be the first step. This could involve focusing on read-only tasks, such as gathering network device information or generating reports.
Identify use cases for automation
After setting a goal, it's important to identify specific use cases for automation. This could involve tasks like automating configuration backups, enforcing compliance checks, or standardizing device configurations. By selecting use cases that align with the customer's needs and bring immediate value, they can begin to see the benefits of Ansible in action.
Create Ansible playbooks and roles
Once the use cases are defined, the next step is to create Ansible playbooks and roles. Playbooks outline the desired state and actions to be performed, while roles help organize tasks and make automation more modular. Creating these resources allows the customer to define detailed configuration instructions and automate repetitive network management tasks.
Test, iterate, and expand automation efforts
After creating initial playbooks and roles, it's essential to test and iterate the automation efforts. This involves running the playbooks in a controlled environment, reviewing the results, and refining the configurations as needed. As the customer gains confidence in the automation process, they can gradually expand their efforts to tackle more complex use cases and incorporate additional network devices and workflows.
Backup as a starting point
One approach discussed in the podcast is using backups as a starting point for network automation. Backing up configurations, whether it's for routers, firewalls, or switches, provides a good entry point. Ansible offers the flexibility to back up configurations to various locations such as Git repositories or local servers. This approach allows for easy verification of versions, identifying devices that need updates, and ensuring the safety of configurations. While some network management tools like Cisco's DNA Center already have built-in backup capabilities, using Ansible provides a consistent way to back up configurations across different devices and vendors.
Leveraging Lab Environments
Another approach discussed in the podcast is leveraging lab environments for network automation. Lab environments provide an ideal space for learning, experimenting, and automating without the risks of production environments. By automating lab environments, networking professionals can easily test different scenarios and make changes more readily. This allows for the development of best practices, learning automation workflows, and building confidence. Lab environments also serve as a platform for introducing additional DevOps tools like Git repositories and CI/CD pipelines. Overall, lab environments provide an excellent opportunity to explore network automation and implement automation strategies in a controlled and scalable manner.
Ready to unravel the intricacies of network automation? We've got an insightful conversation lined up for you that promises to enlighten you on this complex topic. We kick off this episode by chatting about our new diverse content, our exciting podcast merchandise, and my upcoming autumn adventures in Vermont. We also welcome our special guest, Tony Dubiel, the Product Solutions Architect for Ansible Network Automation at Red Hat, who offers an insider's perspective on Ansible Network Automation.
Our discussion unfolds on a journey from route switching to data center and collaboration, emphasizing the worth of a networking background when stepping into collaboration. We delve into the vast array of automation tools, and debate whether network engineers should stick to one tool or embrace different tools for different scenarios. We also tackle the challenges of network automation, the role of abstraction and orchestration tools, and how ITSM and IPAM can make automation more accessible.
We then turn the spotlight on the Ansible Automation Platform, discussing its varied uses and how it's been revamped to be more cloud-native and scalable. We also touch upon the ongoing debate about using a tool like Terraform for immutable and disposable infrastructure, or different tools depending on the situation. Tony shares his thoughts on the evolution of network automation and the advantages of using validated content to lower the barrier to entry. So buckle up and join us on this enlightening journey into the world of network automation with Ansible.
