The Python Automation Framework – Beyond Basics

In Chapter 4, The Python Automation Framework – Ansible Basics, we looked at some of the basic structures to get Ansible up and running. We worked with Ansible inventory files, variables, and playbooks. We also looked at some examples of using network modules for Cisco, Juniper, and Arista devices.

In this chapter, we will further build on the knowledge we have gained from the previous chapters and dive deeper into the more advanced topics of Ansible. Many books have been written about Ansible, and there is more to Ansible than we can cover in two chapters. The goal here is to introduce the majority of the features and functions of Ansible that I believe you will need as a network engineer, and shorten the learning curve as much as possible.

It is important to point out that if you were not clear on some of the points made in Chapter 4, The Python Automation Framework – Ansible Basics, now is a good...