# Python Automation - Script 1

This instruction clearly outlines the objective of creating a script to communicate with a Cisco router and retrieve the configuration details using the specified command.

First, ensure that you've installed the Netmiko library. You can do this by running:

```plaintext
pip install netmiko
```

Next, you can use the following script as a starting point. Make sure to modify the connection parameters according to your setup:

```plaintext
from netmiko import ConnectHandler

# Define the device parameters
cisco_router = {
    'device_type': 'cisco_ios', # If you are using a different Cisco OS, change this accordingly
    'host': '192.168.1.1',       # The IP address of your router
    'username': 'username',
    'password': 'password',
}

# Connect to the router
connection = ConnectHandler(**cisco_router)

# Send the command 'show running-config'
output = connection.send_command('show running-config')

# Print the output
print(output)

# Disconnect from the router
connection.disconnect()
```

Remember to replace `'192.168.1.1'`, `'username'`, and `'password'` with your router's actual IP address, username, and password.

**Note**: Running the `show running-config` command might require privileged access, depending on the router's configuration. You may need to modify the script to include logic that enables privileged mode if it's necessary for your particular setup.

let's break down the code snippet above to understand what's happening at each step:

1. **Importing the Netmiko Library**:
    
    ```plaintext
    from netmiko import ConnectHandler
    ```
    
    This imports the `ConnectHandler` class from the Netmiko library, which allows us to create a connection to the Cisco device.
    
2. **Defining the Device Parameters**:
    
    ```plaintext
    cisco_router = {
        'device_type': 'cisco_ios', # The device type you're connecting to
        'host': '192.168.1.1',       # The IP address of your router
        'username': 'username',
        'password': 'password',
    }
    ```
    
    Here, you create a dictionary containing the connection parameters for your Cisco router. This includes the device type, IP address, username, and password.
    
3. **Connecting to the Router**:
    
    ```plaintext
    connection = ConnectHandler(**cisco_router)
    ```
    
    Using the `ConnectHandler` function and the parameters you defined earlier, this line creates a connection to the router. The `**cisco_router` syntax is unpacking the dictionary into keyword arguments for the function.
    
4. **Sending the Command 'show running-config'**:
    
    ```plaintext
    output = connection.send_command('show running-config')
    ```
    
    This sends the `show running-config` command to the router and saves the output to the variable `output`.
    
5. **Printing the Output**:
    
    ```plaintext
    print(output)
    ```
    
    This prints the output of the command to the terminal, allowing you to see the running configuration of the router.
    
6. **Disconnecting from the Router**:
    
    ```plaintext
    connection.disconnect()
    ```
    
    This line closes the SSH connection to the router, which is a good practice once you are done with your operations.
    

Overall, this script provides a simple and effective way to retrieve the running configuration from a Cisco router. Make sure to replace the IP address, username, and password with your device's actual credentials, and always be cautious when running scripts like this on production devices.

Check my previous blogs to see how to install Python on windows and Linux. Also another blog which explains Netmiko and Parmiko in detail.

Happy Learning