Beyond the CLI

Beyond the CLI is a series for network engineers ready to put the console cable down and lean into modern DevOps practices - Git, CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, and AI-assisted workflows.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to fill in the gaps, this series covers the concepts, benefits, and hands-on application of DevOps in network engineering.

Tools we'll be using;

• GitHub & GitHub Actions: Git hosting and CI/CD pipelines (with self-hosted runners)
• Cisco IOS-XE on CML: Lab environment for network infrastructure. EVE-NG, Containerlab, or similar will work too.
• Terraform: Infrastructure as Code for defining desired network state
• Claude Code: For the AI section only; optional, and more exploratory than prescriptive.

1. Git Fundamentals - Version control essentials for network configs and automation
   1. Using Git by Example
2. APIs & Network Programmability – REST, NETCONF, gRPC. The "why" before the "how" of automation.
   1. Interacting with APIs by Example
3. Terraform (IaC) for Network Infrastructure - Managing network resources as code
   1. Managing infra with IaC by Example
4. CI/CD Pipelines - Automating testing and deployment for network changes
   1. Using Pipelines by Example
5. AI in NetDevOps - Exploring practical use cases and emerging patterns