Understanding Junos PyEZ
Junos PyEZ Overview
Junos PyEZ is a microframework for Python that enables you to manage and automate devices running the Junos operating system (Junos OS). Junos PyEZ is designed to provide the capabilities that a user would have on the Junos OS command-line interface (CLI) in an environment built for automation tasks. Junos PyEZ does not require extensive knowledge of Junos OS or the Junos XML APIs.
Junos PyEZ enables you to manage devices running Junos OS using the familiarity of Python. However, you do not have to be an experienced programmer to use Junos PyEZ. Non-programmers can quickly execute simple commands in Python interactive mode, and more experienced programmers can opt to create more complex, robust, and reusable programs to perform tasks.
Junos PyEZ enables you to directly connect to a device using
a serial console connection, telnet, or a NETCONF session over SSH.
In addition, Junos PyEZ also supports connecting to the device through
a telnet or SSH connection to a console server that is connected to
the device’s CONSOLE
port. You can use Junos PyEZ
to initially configure a new or zeroized device that is not yet configured
for remote access by using either a serial console connection when
you are directly connected to the device or by using telnet or SSH
through a console server that is directly connected to the device.
Junos PyEZ provides device, software, and file system utilities that enable you to perform common operational tasks on devices running Junos OS. You can use Junos PyEZ to:
Retrieve facts or operational information from a device
Execute remote procedure calls (RPC) available through the Junos XML API
Install or upgrade the Junos OS software
Reboot or shut down the device
Perform common administrative tasks such as copying files and calculating checksums
Junos PyEZ also enables you to manage the configurations of devices running Junos OS. Junos PyEZ configuration management utilities enable you to:
Retrieve configuration data
Compare configurations
Upload and commit configuration changes
Roll back the configuration
Manage the rescue configuration
Junos PyEZ supports standard formats for configuration data
including ASCII text, Junos XML elements, Junos OS set
commands,
and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), and also supports using Jinja2
templates and template files for added flexibility and customization.
In addition, you can use Tables and Views to define structured resources
that you can use to programmatically configure a device.
Junos PyEZ Tables and Views enable you to both configure devices
running Junos OS and extract specific operational information or configuration
data from the devices. You define Tables and Views using simple YAML
files that contain key:value pair mappings, so no complex coding is
required to use them. You can use Tables and Views to retrieve the
device configuration or the output for any Junos OS command or RPC
and then extract a customized subset of information. This is useful
when you need to retrieve information from a few specific fields that
are embedded in extensive command output such as for the show
route
or show interfaces
command. In addition, starting
in Junos PyEZ Release 2.0, you can use Tables and Views to define
structured configuration resources. Junos PyEZ dynamically creates
a configuration class for the resource, which enables you to programmatically
configure the resource on a device.
Benefits of Junos PyEZ
Provides an abstraction layer that enables Python programmers as well as non-programmers to easily manage and automate devices running Junos OS
Increases operational efficiency by enabling operators to automate common tasks thereby reducing the manual configuration and management of devices
Minimizes errors and risks by enabling structured configuration changes of targeted resources
Using Junos PyEZ in Automation Scripts
Junos OS includes the Python extensions package and the Junos PyEZ library in the software image for certain supported devices. These extensions enable you to create on-box Python scripts that use Junos PyEZ to execute RPCs and perform operational and configuration tasks on devices running Junos OS. Junos PyEZ is supported in commit, event, op, and SNMP scripts; Juniper Extension Toolkit (JET) scripts; and YANG action and translation scripts.
Table 1 summarizes the Junos PyEZ version that is available on supported devices running the given Junos OS release. For example, starting in Junos OS Release 17.4R1, an on-box Python script can leverage features in Junos PyEZ Release 2.1.4 and earlier releases.
Junos OS Release |
Junos PyEZ Version |
---|---|
16.1R3 through 17.3 |
1.3.1 |
17.4R1 through 19.3 |
2.1.4 |
19.4R1 and later |
2.2.0 |
For more information about creating onbox Python automation scripts, see Understanding Python Automation Scripts for Devices Running Junos OS in the Junos OS Automation Scripting User Guide.
Junos PyEZ Resources
Juniper Networks provides a number of Junos PyEZ resources, which are described in Table 2.
Resource |
Description |
URL |
---|---|---|
API Reference |
Detailed documentation for the Junos PyEZ modules. |
|
Day One: Junos PyEZ Cookbook and script repository |
Junos PyEZ network automation cookbook with a setup guide, a start-up sandbox, and a complete showcase of automation scripts that are available on GitHub. |
https://www.juniper.net/documentation/en_US/day-one-books/DO_PyEZ_Cookbook.pdf https://github.com/Juniper/junosautomation/tree/master/pyez/PyEZ_Cookbook_2017 |
Documentation |
Junos PyEZ documentation containing detailed information about installing Junos PyEZ and using Junos PyEZ to perform operational and configuration tasks on devices running Junos OS. |
https://www.juniper.net/documentation/product/us/en/junos-pyez |
GitHub repository |
Public repository for the Junos PyEZ project. This repository includes the most current source code, installation instructions, and release note summaries for all releases. |
|
Google Groups forum |
Forum that addresses questions and provides general support for Junos PyEZ. |
|
Sample scripts |
Junos PyEZ sample scripts to get you started. |
|
Stack Overflow forum |
Forum that addresses questions and provides general support for Junos PyEZ. |