Automating Cisco Networks: Configuring Loopback Interfaces Remotely with Python and Netmiko

Introduction:

In our ongoing journey through network automation, we’re delving into the power of Python and Netmiko once again. This time, the spotlight is on remotely configuring loopback interfaces on Cisco routers. This script empowers network administrators to automate the process, ensuring consistent and efficient loopback interface configurations across multiple devices.

Script Breakdown:

The script starts by establishing a Telnet connection to the Cisco router using the Netmiko library. Router details, such as device type, IP address, and login credentials, are specified in a dictionary.

router = {
    'device_type': 'cisco_ios_telnet',
    'ip': '172.16.0.200',
    'username': 'cisco',
    'password': 'cisco@123',
    'secret': 'cisco@123',
}

net_connect = None

try:
    # Establish a Telnet connection to the router using Netmiko
    net_connect = ConnectHandler(**router)

    # Enter enable mode on the router
    net_connect.enable()

    # If successful, print a success message
    print("Telnet login successful!")

    # Define the loopback configuration commands
    config_loopback_command = ['interface Loopback 0',
                               'ip address 1.1.1.1 255.255.255.0',
                               'exit',]

    # Execute 'loopback configuration' command
    output = net_connect.send_config_set(config_loopback_command)

    # Print the command output
    print("\nOutput of 'loopback configuration':\n")
    print(output)

except Exception as e:
    # If any exception occurs during the connection attempt or command execution, print an error message
    print(f"Error: {str(e)}")

finally:
    # Handle netconnection if router session is established
    if net_connect:
        # Disconnect from the router, regardless of success or failure
        net_connect.disconnect()

The script then executes a set of commands to configure a loopback interface with the IP address 1.1.1.1 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0. The output of the configuration is printed for verification.

Conclusion:

By incorporating this script into your network automation toolkit, you can effortlessly configure loopback interfaces on Cisco routers remotely. This not only saves time but also ensures consistency in network configurations. Stay tuned for more insights into network automation as we continue to explore ways to optimize and streamline your networking experience.

Here is the YouTube video:

Avinash Karnani

I am working in an IT company and having 10+ years of experience into Cisco IP Telephony and Contact Center. I have worked on products like CUCM, CUC, UCCX, CME/CUE, IM&P, Voice Gateways, VG224, Gatekeepers, Attendant Console, Expressway, Mediasense, Asterisk, Microsoft Teams, Zoom etc. I am not an expert but i keep exploring whenever and wherever i can and share whatever i know. You can visit my LinkedIn profile by clicking on the icon below.

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