[safnog] Network Automation

[hervey at nsrc.org (Hervey Allen)]

On 5/3/16 1:29 PM, Noah wrote:
> 
> On 3 May 2016 22:26, "Nishal Goburdhan" <nishal at controlfreak.co.za
> <mailto:nishal at controlfreak.co.za>> wrote:
>>
>> On 3 May 2016, at 20:44, Noah wrote:
>>
>>> Hi folks,
>>>
>>> What opensource tools are folks outhere using for network operation
>>> automation and to be be specific, bulk configurations, automated software
>>> upgrades of say a good number of network gears etc...
>>
>>
>> i use puppet to semi-automate management and maintenance of a good few
> (70+) linux hosts.  if i knew more about puppet, that could probably
> read ?fully-automate?, but that?s my failing, not the system ..
>>
> 
> Hi Nisha
> 
> Ok cool, I will look at puppet..
> 
>> you didn?t say what you wanted to do - if you?re looking for generic
> support for network equipment (read:  routers+switches) you?re likely to
> find ansible a better fit, since there?s no ?client? involved here; 
> just ssh.
>>
> 
> Yes exactly the above and i had looked at Ansible actually but not in
> details yet.
> 
>> of course, if you?re not already using rancid/oxidised, you?re missing
> step #1.
>>
> 
> I am just curious what other folks out there could be using...
> 

Some folks I know use CFEngine and Chef. These folks have told me they
wish they were using Puppet.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puppet_(software)

and, this points you to:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_open-source_configuration_management_software

>From asking around over the years Puppet, Ansible, Netdot and custom mix
of scripts and specific tools seem to be quite popular for those going
the Open Source / "Free" software route.

- Hervey