Ansible Network Automation: Foundations and Exam Prep

Automating network infrastructure is no longer optional for modern network engineers, but getting started with Ansible automation can feel overwhelming when dealing with diverse hardware vendors. This course provides a clear, step-by-step path to understanding network automation with Ansible and preparing for the EX457 specialist exam. You will gain the confidence to manage switches, routers, and firewalls programmatically, without relying on manual command-line configurations. You will transition from manual device configuration to writing structured, reusable automation playbooks. The curriculum begins with essential terminology, basic automation concepts, and foundational definitions before moving into hands-on configuration techniques. You will also learn modern practices such as managing infrastructure-as-code using Git workflows and handling sensitive data securely. What you'll learn: - Understand the core concepts of Ansible network automation and how it differs from server automation - Configure multi-vendor network devices using standard Ansible connection methods - Write and execute playbooks to automate routing, switching, and VLAN configurations - Manage sensitive network credentials securely using Ansible Vault - Implement structured data parsing to extract operational facts from network hardware - Practice troubleshooting common automation errors and connection failures - Apply structured version control workflows to manage your automation playbooks This course is structured to build your skills from the ground up, starting with connection basics and device inventory management, then advancing to complex multi-device configurations and exam-focused scenarios. You will read through clear explanations, analyze real-world configuration examples, and complete practical written exercises designed to reinforce your knowledge. This course is designed for network administrators, systems engineers, and beginners to automation who want to learn Ansible or prepare for the EX457 exam. No prior automation or programming experience is required, though a basic understanding of network concepts like IP routing and SSH is helpful. Start reading today to transform your manual networking skills into scalable infrastructure automation.