https://github.com/Lenniusce/Network-Automation

Intro

As a follow-on from my last post, I am building on BPG VXLAN EVPN datacenter scripts and moving them to be deployed using Ansible and jinja templates. Right Now I have them “building” through templates, but not deploying to devices yet.

I already have the configs available, but will be converting them to .j2 templates. The “generate-configs” playbook is functional, but look for future posts for updates as I get further along.

• Source of Truth:Netbox using live inventory
• Deployment method: Ansible
• Virtualiation for Devices: EVE-NG

Get Environment Started

Before getting started, make sure both virtual machines are up and running:

• Start the NetBox VM (Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS)
• Start the Ansible VM (Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS)

Connect to the Ansible VM

Use VS Code’s Remote SSH feature to connect:

• Open VS Code
• Connect to the Ansible VM using Remote SSH

Configure Python with pyenv

Once you’re connected to the Ansible VM, set up the correct Python version:

Navigate to your project directory:

cd network-automation/ansible

Set the local Python version using pyenv:

pyenv local 3.12.3

Reload your shell to apply changes:

source ~/.bashrc

Verify the Python version:

python3 --version

If you want to confirm your pyenv setup:

pyenv prefiX

Test out connection from Ansible to Netbox

curl -H "Authorization: Token REDACTED" http://192.168.161.128:8000/api/status/

If it doesnt work make sure the tokens are set:

export NETBOX_API=<YOUR_NETBOX_URL> (note - must include http:// or https://) export NETBOX_TOKEN=<YOUR_NETBOX_API_TOKEN>

Run these to see if inventory shows:

ansible-inventory -i inventories/netbox_inv.yml --list

ansible-inventory -i inventories/netbox_inv.yml --graph

Run the generate-configs from ansible folder

  ansible-playbook -i inventories/netbox_inv.yml ~/Network-Automation/ansible/playbooks/write-configs/generate-configs.yml

You will then see configuration files generate under the folder after each task runs:

Each new rendition of the file appears.

Appendix:

Netbox VM PIP:

• attrs==23.2.0
• Automat==22.10.0
• Babel==2.10.3
• bcc==0.29.1
• bcrypt==3.2.2
• blinker==1.7.0
• certifi==2023.11.17
• chardet==5.2.0
• click==8.1.6
• cloud-init==25.1.4
• colorama==0.4.6
• command-not-found==0.3
• configobj==5.0.8
• constantly==23.10.4
• cryptography==41.0.7
• dbus-python==1.3.2
• distro==1.9.0
• distro-info==1.7+build1
• httplib2==0.20.4
• hyperlink==21.0.0
• idna==3.6
• incremental==22.10.0
• Jinja2==3.1.2
• jsonpatch==1.32
• jsonpointer==2.0
• jsonschema==4.10.3
• launchpadlib==1.11.0
• lazr.restfulclient==0.14.6
• lazr.uri==1.0.6
• markdown-it-py==3.0.0
• MarkupSafe==2.1.5
• mdurl==0.1.2
• netaddr==0.8.0
• netifaces==0.11.0
• oauthlib==3.2.2
• pexpect==4.9.0
• ptyprocess==0.7.0
• pyasn1==0.4.8
• pyasn1-modules==0.2.8
• Pygments==2.17.2
• PyGObject==3.48.2
• PyHamcrest==2.1.0
• PyJWT==2.7.0
• pyOpenSSL==23.2.0
• pyparsing==3.1.1
• pyrsistent==0.20.0
• pyserial==3.5
• python-apt==2.7.7+ubuntu5.1
• python-debian==0.1.49+ubuntu2
• python-magic==0.4.27
• pytz==2024.1
• PyYAML==6.0.1
• requests==2.31.0
• rich==13.7.1
• service-identity==24.1.0
• setuptools==68.1.2
• six==1.16.0
• sos==4.5.6
• ssh-import-id==5.11
• systemd-python==235
• Twisted==24.3.0
• ubuntu-drivers-common==0.0.0
• ubuntu-pro-client==8001
• ufw==0.36.2
• unattended-upgrades==0.1
• urllib3==2.0.7
• wadllib==1.3.6
• wheel==0.42.0
• xkit==0.0.0
• zope.interface==6.1

Ansible VM PIP

• ansible==13.4.0
• ansible-core==2.20.3
• certifi==2026.2.25
• cffi==2.0.0
• charset-normalizer==3.4.6
• cryptography==46.0.5
• idna==3.11
• Jinja2==3.1.6
• MarkupSafe==3.0.3
• packaging==26.0
• pycparser==3.0
• pynetbox==7.6.1
• pytz==2026.1.post1
• PyYAML==6.0.3
• requests==2.32.5
• resolvelib==1.2.1
• urllib3==2.6.3