Automating Config Saves in Cisco Devices

Managing network devices efficiently is crucial for maintaining the integrity and uptime of your network. Cisco devices, which form the backbone of many corporate networks, require regular configuration saves to prevent data loss and ensure consistency after changes. In this article, we will explore why automating configuration saves in Cisco devices not only simplifies network management but also enhances your network's reliability and security.

Understanding the Importance of Configuration Saves

Before delving into automation, it’s important to understand the critical role that configuration saves play in network management. Each time a Cisco device configuration is modified, the changes are stored in the running configuration, which is active in the device’s memory. However, if a device restarts without these changes being saved to the startup configuration, all changes will be lost. This can lead to network issues, downtime, and significant troubleshooting headaches.

Automation: A Step Towards Efficient Network Management

Automating the save process of your running configuration on Cisco devices means setting up a system where changes are automatically saved without manual intervention. This practice reduces the risk of human error, saves time, and ensures that your network configurations are consistently backed up.

Benefits of Automating Configuration Saves

There are several benefits to automating configuration saves in Cisco devices:

• Consistency: Automated saves ensure that all changes are consistently applied and saved across all network devices. This uniformity is crucial for troubleshooting and auditing purposes.
• Time-saving: Automation frees up network administrators' time, allowing them to focus on more critical tasks rather than repetitive configuration saves.
• Error reduction: Manual processes are prone to human error. Automation significantly reduces the chances of forgetting to save configurations or making incorrect saves.
• Improved recovery: In the event of a device failure, recovery is much faster and more reliable with automated, regularly saved configurations.

Key Methods for Automation

There are various methods by which the configuration save process can be automated in Cisco devices. These include:

• Kron Job Scheduler: A built-in feature in most Cisco devices that can be configured to execute scripts at specified times, including saving the configuration.
• EEM Scripts: Embedded Event Manager (EEM) scripts provide more flexibility than Kron and can be triggered by specific events, such as changes in the running configuration.
• Network Management Software: Solutions like Cisco Prime Infrastructure allow network admins to manage configurations and automate backups from a central interface.

Implementing a Simple Automation Script

One of the simplest ways to start automating the save process is through an EEM script. Here’s a basic example of an EEM script that automatically saves the running configuration to the startup configuration whenever a change is made:

event manager applet save-config
 event syslog pattern "SYS-5-CONFIG_I"
 action 1.0 cli command "enable"
 action 1.1 cli command "write memory"

This script triggers on the syslog message "SYS-5-CONFIG_I," which indicates a change in the configuration. The actions specified in the script ensure that the running configuration is saved to the startup every time this syslog message is observed.

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Exploring Scripting and Configuration Management Tools

While simple EEM scripts are a great starting point for automation, the use of advanced scripting and dedicated configuration management tools can further enhance the robustness and scalability of network operations. These tools not only automate the process but also provide a more comprehensive approach to managing configurations across multiple devices.

Advanced Scripting for Custom Needs

Advanced scripts can be tailored to meet specific organizational needs. For instance, Python scripts utilizing network automation libraries like Netmiko or Paramiko can interact with Cisco devices for more complex automation scenarios. These scripts can automate tasks such as bulk configuration updates, real-time status monitoring, and sophisticated error handling mechanisms.

Example of a Python automation script:

from netmiko import ConnectHandler

cisco_device = {
    'device_type': 'c/'dating in ipsec Web action furthermore 
    'host': '192.168.1.1',
    'username': 'admin',
    'password': 'password',
    'secret': 'secret',
}

# Establishing connection
net_connect = ConnectHandler(**cisco_device)
net_connect.enable()

# Automated Configuration Save
config_commands = ['write memory']
output = net_connect.send_config_set(config_commands)
print(output)

# Disconnecting session
net_connect.disconnect()

In this script, Netmiko is used to log into a Cisco router, perform a configuration save, and then disconnect. This type of automation can be set up to run at specific times using CRON jobs on a Linux server or scheduled tasks in Windows, ensuring configurations are saved at regular intervals.

Utilizing Configuration Management Tools

Advanced configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, and Chef provide platforms for automating not only the configuration save process but also the configuration and deployment of multiple devices. Ansible, for example, is highly popular in network automation for its simplicity and effectiveness. It employs Playbooks, simple YAML files, to define the automation jobs, making the process accessible even to those with minimal programming expertise.

Here is a snippet of an Ansible Playbook designed to save configurations on Cisco devices:

- hosts: cisco
  gather_facts: false
  tasks:
    - name: Save running config to startup config
      ios_command:
        commands:
            - write memory

This Playbook runs the 'write memory' command on all devices listed under the 'cisco' host group, effectively syncing the startup configuration with the running configuration across multiple devices.

By leveraging these automation tools, organizations can significantly decrease operational costs, enhance network reliability, and reduce the workload on network administrators, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives rather than day-to-days.

Conclusion

In the evolving landscape of network administration, automating the configuration save process in Cisco devices is not just a convenience—it's a necessity. By implementing automation scripts and utilizing configuration management tools, network professionals can ensure configurations are seamlessly and consistently applied, enhancing the reliability and security of the network infrastructure.

From simple CLI commands to advanced Python scripts and comprehensive tools such(runtime_preprocessing)) like Ansible Playbooks, the methods to achieve automation are diverse and can be adapted to the size and requirements of any network. Automation reduces the likelihood of human error, speeds up network adjustments, and provides a solid foundation for standardizing network operations across multiple devices and platforms.

The journey towards fully automated network management can begin with small steps, such as automating regular configuration saves, that progressively build up to comprehensive management practices. Resources such as the Cisco CCNA course by Jason provide invaluable knowledge and skills to further this journey, equipping network administrators with the expertise needed to navigate and master modern network environments. Embrace automation today and transform your network management into a predictable, efficient, and error-free process.