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Nautobot Zero to Hero – Build Your Network Automation Platform

Transform your network operations from manual chaos to automated excellence. This comprehensive series takes you from zero Nautobot experience to building a production-ready network automation platform that becomes your true Single Pane of Glass for NetOps.

🎯 What You'll Build

By the end of this series, you'll have a complete network automation platform that transforms how you manage your network:

🏗️ Your Network Automation Foundation

  • Central Source of Truth: Nautobot becomes your single source of truth for all network data
  • Git-Integrated Workflows: Version-controlled configurations with full audit trails
  • Multi-Vendor Support: Manage Cisco, Arista, Juniper, and more from one platform
  • Zero-Touch Provisioning: Automate device deployment and replacement

🔧 Operational Excellence

  • Real-Time Compliance: Detect and fix configuration drift automatically
  • Live Configuration Changes: Make changes from the GUI that update both templates and devices
  • Event-Driven Automation: Respond to network changes in real-time
  • Operational Jobs: Run show commands, compliance checks, and more directly from Nautobot

🚀 Advanced Capabilities

  • API Integrations: Connect with your existing tools (Infoblox, ISE, etc.)
  • GitOps Workflows: PR-based change management with automated deployment
  • Multi-Device Compliance: Handle switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless controllers
  • Site Validation: Automated cabling and configuration validation

📋 Series Roadmap

Foundation Series (Getting Started)

Complete these first 3 parts to get your Nautobot environment up and running

Part 1: Install Nautobot

~1.5 hours - Install Nautobot with Docker in a virtual machine - Follow installation instructions from the nautobot_zero_to_hero repository - Set up the complete Nautobot stack with PostgreSQL and Redis

Part 2: Getting Started with Nautobot

~1 hour - Explore what Nautobot can do - Use Jobs from the nautobot_zero_to_hero repository to deploy a demo environment - Run the pre-flight job to create a region, site, and device

Part 3: Deploy Network with Containerlab

~1 hour - Set up a containerlab network topology - Configure multi-vendor network devices - Prepare your lab environment for automation

Core Automation Series (Production-Ready Setup)

Complete these 8 parts for a fully functional network automation platform

Part 4: Device Discovery & Onboarding

~1.5 hours - Install and configure the Device Onboarding plugin - Enable the plugin in nautobot_config.py - Automatically discover and onboard devices from Containerlab - Auto-create devices with proper platforms, roles, and interfaces

Part 5: Add Device Config from Jobs

~1.5 hours - Sync with the nzth_demo_jobs repository - Create custom Jobs to manage device configurations - Automate configuration collection and storage

Part 6: Enable Golden Config Plugin

~2 hours - Install and configure the Golden Config plugin - Fork required repositories (backups, jinja templates, intended config) - Add forked repositories to Nautobot - Create golden configurations for devices

Part 7: Deploy Provision Job

~1.5 hours - Create a Provision job to send golden-config to devices - Deploy intended configurations to network devices - Verify configuration deployment

Part 8: Separate Golden Config Templates

~1.5 hours - Separate Interface configuration into a separate Jinja template file - Create a Job and Job Hook to automatically execute on interface changes - Automate interface configuration updates (create/delete/update)

Part 9: Configuration Compliance

~2 hours - Create configuration compliance checks with Golden Config plugin - Run compliance reports and detect configuration drift - Monitor device compliance status

Part 10: Configuration Remediation

~2 hours - Generate remediation configurations from Golden Config plugin - Create automated remediation workflows - Fix configuration drift automatically

Part 11: Event-Driven Automation

~1.5 hours - Automatically deploy full golden config to device when device is changed - Set up event-driven workflows - Build reactive automation based on Nautobot changes

Advanced Features Series (Enterprise Capabilities)

Extend your platform with advanced visualization and design capabilities

Part 12: Floorplan Plugin

~1.5 hours - Enable and configure the Floorplan plugin - Create visual floor plans for your network sites - Map devices to physical locations

Part 13: Design Builder Plugin

~2 hours - Install and configure the Design Builder plugin - Create designs via Git sync of jobs - Deploy designs to your network environment

🛠️ Prerequisites

Required Knowledge

  • Basic networking concepts (VLANs, routing, switching)
  • Familiarity with Docker and containerization
  • Basic understanding of Git and version control
  • Comfort with command-line operations

Lab Environment

Time Investment

  • Foundation Series: 3.5 hours (Parts 1-3)
  • Core Automation Series: 13 hours (Parts 4-11)
  • Advanced Features Series: 3.5 hours (Parts 12-13)
  • Total Series: ~20 hours

🎯 Real-World Outcomes

After completing this series, you'll be able to:

Immediate Benefits

  • ✅ Deploy Nautobot as your central network management platform
  • ✅ Automatically discover and onboard existing network devices
  • ✅ Detect and fix configuration drift in real-time
  • ✅ Make configuration changes from a web interface
  • ✅ Maintain full audit trails of all network changes

Long-Term Value

  • 🚀 Reduced Manual Work: Automate repetitive network tasks
  • 🔒 Improved Compliance: Maintain consistent configurations across all devices
  • 📊 Better Visibility: Single pane of glass for network operations
  • 🛡️ Enhanced Security: Version-controlled configurations with full audit trails
  • 🔄 Faster Deployments: Zero-touch provisioning for new devices
  • 🎯 Vendor Flexibility: Easily switch between network vendors

🚀 Getting Started

Step 1: Set Up Your Lab

  1. Follow the Containerlab Lab Guide
  2. Deploy your multi-vendor network topology
  3. Ensure you have access to Docker and Git

Step 2: Start Building

  1. Begin with Part 1 to install Nautobot with Docker
  2. Follow Part 2 to get started and deploy the demo environment
  3. Set up your network lab with Part 3 using Containerlab
  4. Complete the Core Automation Series (Parts 4-11) for a production-ready setup
  5. Explore Advanced Features Series (Parts 12-13) for enterprise capabilities

Step 3: Apply to Production

  • Use the patterns and workflows from the series in your production environment
  • Adapt the examples to your specific network topology and requirements
  • Integrate with your existing tools and processes

💡 Pro Tips

For Maximum Success

  • Follow Along: Don't just read—build the lab and follow each step
  • Experiment: Try variations and customizations to fit your needs
  • Document: Keep notes on what works and what doesn't in your environment
  • Iterate: Start with the core series, then add advanced features as needed

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • ❌ Skipping the lab setup (hands-on practice is essential)
  • ❌ Rushing through parts (each builds on the previous)
  • ❌ Not testing in a lab before production
  • ❌ Ignoring version control best practices

🤝 Support & Community

Need Help?

  • Questions: Leave a comment on any post in the series
  • Issues: Report problems in the comments with detailed information
  • Suggestions: Share ideas for improvements or additional topics

Want to Contribute?

  • GitHub: Submit pull requests to the repository
  • Share: Tell others about the series if you find it helpful
  • Feedback: Let me know what topics you'd like to see covered

Stay Updated

  • Subscribe: Get notified when new parts are published
  • Follow: Stay connected for additional network automation content
  • Community: Join the discussion in the comments

🎓 Training & Deep Dive Learning

Accelerate Your Nautobot Journey

While this series provides a comprehensive foundation, structured training courses can help you dive deeper and accelerate your network automation expertise.

Available Training Options

  • Nautobot Fundamentals: Master the core concepts and platform capabilities
  • Advanced Automation: Deep dive into Jobs, GraphQL, and custom integrations
  • Golden Config Mastery: Comprehensive coverage of compliance and remediation workflows
  • Multi-Vendor Operations: Learn vendor-agnostic automation patterns and best practices
  • Production Deployment: Real-world implementation strategies and troubleshooting

Training Benefits

  • 🎯 Structured Learning: Step-by-step progression from basics to advanced topics
  • 👥 Expert Guidance: Learn from experienced Nautobot practitioners
  • 🔧 Hands-On Labs: Practice with real-world scenarios and configurations
  • 📚 Comprehensive Materials: Detailed documentation and reference guides
  • 🤝 Community Access: Connect with other network automation professionals

Get Started with Training

  • Contact: Reach out to discuss your specific learning needs and goals
  • Custom Programs: Tailored training for your organization's requirements
  • Certification Path: Structured learning paths leading to Nautobot expertise
  • Ongoing Support: Post-training consultation and implementation guidance

Ready to accelerate your network automation journey? Let's discuss how structured training can help you achieve your goals faster and more effectively.

🎉 Ready to Transform Your Network Operations?

This series will take you from network automation novice to expert, giving you the skills and tools to build a world-class network automation platform. Whether you're managing a small lab or a large enterprise network, the patterns and workflows you'll learn here will scale with your needs.

Start with Part 1 and begin your journey to network automation excellence! 🚀

Happy automating! 🎯