Automate Network Switch Configuration with Python and Paramiko

Introduction:

Have you ever wished you could manage your network switches with the click of a button? Well, Python can help! This post guides you through creating a Python script that connects to network switches, runs commands from a list, and saves the results. This automates tasks like configuration changes and backups, saving you time and effort.

Here's what you'll need:

• Python 3: Download and install it from https://www.python.org/downloads/.
• Text files:
• myswitches.txt: List each switch's IP address on a separate line.
• command.txt: List the commands you want to run on the switches, one per line.

For the Better output of commands always use "terminal lenght 0"

• A folder: Create a folder named "commandlist" inside your Python directory (e.g., D:\\Python\\commandlist\) to store the output files.
• Login credentials: If your switches don't use Tacacs+ or RADIUS, create a user account with the same username and password used in the script.

Python Full Code:

import paramiko

import time

import getpass

import datetime

import os.path

import os

from datetime import datetime

timestr = datetime.now().strftime("%d_%m_%Y--%H_%M")

file_name = ""+timestr

#Save output in D Drive

my_dir = "D:\\Python\\commandlist\"

fname = os.path.join(my_dir)

# Get Username and Password

username = "mehfooz"

password=getpass.getpass("Enter Password:")

# Open file with list of switches

f = open ("myswitches.txt")

# Telnet to each switch and cofigure it

for line in f:

 ip_address = line.strip()

 ssh_client = paramiko.SSHClient()

 ssh_client.set_missing_host_key_policy(paramiko.AutoAddPolicy())

 ssh_client.connect(hostname=ip_address,username=username,password=password)

 print ("Successful connection", ip_address)

 remote_connection = ssh_client.invoke_shell()

# Run command from the list (command.txt)

 COMMANDS = open ('command.txt')

 for LINES in COMMANDS:

 #time.sleep(5)

 remote_connection.send(LINES)

 time.sleep(5)

 readoutput = remote_connection.recv(655350)

 saveoutput = open(fname + file_name + ip_address, "wb")

 saveoutput.write(readoutput)

 #saveoutput.write("\n")
 print ("Successful configured")

 saveoutput.close

 ssh_client.close

Breaking Down the Script:

The script uses Python libraries to connect to the switches and run commands. Here's a simplified explanation of what each part does:

1. Imports: These lines bring in tools like paramiko (for secure connections) and time (for short pauses).
2. Setting Up File Names: This section creates unique filenames for the saved output based on the date and time.
3. Username and Password: Here, you define the username for connecting to the switches (replace with your actual username). The script then asks you to enter the password securely.
4. Processing Switches: The script opens the myswitches.txt file and loops through each switch IP address listed.
5. Connecting to a Switch: For each IP:
• It connects to the switch using its IP address, username, and password.
• A success message is displayed if the connection is established.
6. Running Commands: The script opens the command.txt file and sends each command listed there to the switch, one by one. It then waits a few seconds (adjustable) for the switch to respond.
7. Collecting and Saving Output:
• The script gathers the switch's response to the commands.
• It creates a filename that includes the date, time, and switch IP address.
• The switch's response is saved to a file in the "commandlist" folder.
• A message confirms successful configuration (you can customize this message).
8. Closing the Connection: Finally, the script disconnects from the switch.

Conclusion:

This Python script equips you to automate switch management tasks, saving valuable time and effort. With its ability to connect to switches, execute commands from a list, and save the output, the script streamlines network configuration changes and backups.