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Net DevOps: Cisco Python, Automation, NETCONF, SDN, Docker (Udemy.com)

Learn Cisco Network DevOps: ACI, Ansible, Python, SDN, Kubernetes, Docker, Containers, NETCONF, includes free labs!

4.7
2,654 reviews

Created by: David Bombal

Last updated July 2020

Our take

Based on the ratings of 2,654 students, a sample of their written reviews and the syllabus, as the course stood in July 2020. No course pays to be reviewed.

This is less a classic course and more a long, recorded conversation. David Bombal, a CCIE and longtime Cisco trainer, interviews Hank Preston across 48 lectures and about 19.6 hours. Topics include NETCONF and RESTCONF demos, Docker, Kubernetes with ACI, Git and GitHub, Genie, and a short Python and Jinja2 section. It is free, and about 130,000 students have signed up. The stated level says beginner, but the requirements ask for CCNA or CCNP knowledge, and that fits better.

Reviewers like the format. They call the explanations clear and say it left them better oriented on which automation tools exist and where the field is heading. One person liked that mistakes and corrections happen on the fly, because it made the topic feel less intimidating. Of 2,654 ratings, 1,619 are five stars and 762 are four. The complaints are mild. One reviewer found the format long and wordy, and another said some of it went over their head. The course has no quizzes or coding exercises, so nothing here makes you practice.

The last update was July 2020, so treat the Windows setup and Genie demos as a snapshot. The ideas likely age better than the screens. Next to the Docker and Kubernetes courses it sits beside, this is the odd entry: free, talk-driven and aimed at Cisco people, not a hands-on build. Watch it to decide where to start, then pick a practical course. For a network engineer curious about automation, it costs nothing to try.

Best forCisco-trained network engineers who want a map of the automation landscape before choosing between Python and Ansible.
Skip it ifYou want hands-on coding labs, exercises, or a step-by-step Docker or Kubernetes build.

Pros

  • Free, with 19.6 hours of David Bombal and Hank Preston talking through real automation tools
  • Relaxed, conversational format with live mistakes makes a daunting topic feel approachable
  • Gives a clear map of Python, Ansible, Genie, NETCONF and ACI before you commit to one
  • Hank Preston's DevNet demos, plus pointers to free Cisco labs and live training

Cons

  • Last updated July 2020, so the tools and demos have aged
  • Long, wordy interview format with no quizzes or coding exercises
  • Labeled beginner but expects CCNA or CCNP level networking; some parts go over heads
I feel better oriented about the options of automation available for network engineer at this moment with this training. Many thanks to David and Hank for great summary job and clear explanations.
Fabio Spinelli, a student

Labeled beginner, but the requirements ask for CCNA or CCNP knowledge. Best for working network engineers new to automation.

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What you will learn

  • Learn what NetDevOps is
  • Learn about Kubernetes
  • Lean which is better? Python or Ansible
  • Learn about SDN
  • Learn about Cisco ACI

Course content

17 sections · 48 lectures · 20 hours of video 2 articles

  1. 1What is NetDevOps? 1 free preview6 lectures · 44 min
  2. 2NETCONF, RESTCONF, YANG Demos (API vs CLI): David Bombal interviews Hank Preston4 lectures · 1.9 hours
  3. 3Cisco, Kubernetes, ACI, Docker Containers and Microservices3 lectures · 1.5 hours
  4. 4Setup a Windows computer for NetDevOps5 lectures · 2.1 hours
  5. 5What should I learn / study?3 lectures · 53 min
  6. 6Cisco DNA2 lectures · 56 min
  7. 7Learn Nexus APIs with Hank Preston2 lectures · 1.1 hours
  8. 8Chat to your switches using Slack/Webex and Docker containers2 lectures · 1.1 hours
  9. 9Thank you Cisco DevNet!2 lectures · 1.1 hours
  10. 10Git, GitHub and source control: Is this even for network engineers?2 lectures · 52 min

Who it is for

The instructor says it suits

  • Network Engineers
  • Network Architects
  • Network Managers

What you need before you start

  • At least CCNA or CCNP level knowledge
  • Some experience in networking
  • Desire to learn the future of networking

How it compares

Against the other 219 rated Udemy courses in DevOps on CourseDuck:

  • Rating4.7 out of 5higher than 91% of them
  • Reviews2,654#63 of 220 by number of reviews
  • Length19.6 hourslonger than 87% of them
  • Last updatedJuly 2020earlier than 75% of them

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Course Description

David Bombal and Hank Preston discuss Network Automation, Network Programmability, NetDevOps and the future. What should you learn? CCNA or Python? And many other topics!

We discussed the following:

  • Hank Preston Introduction

  • How did you transition from being a traditional Network Engineer to a NetDevOps Engineer?

  • What would you recommend as the first step?

  • What should I start with? Ansible or Python?

  • Should I study CCNA or Python? CCNP or Python? CCIE or Python?

  • Hybrid Engineer, Next-Gen-Network Engineer, NetDevOps

  • What is DevOps? NetDevOps?

  • Is there a Cisco NetDevOps certification? CCNA/CCNP/CCIE type path?

  • What is DevNet? Is DevNet free?

  • DevNet Overview Demo (Free labs, free training, free resources, get support).

  • DevNet RESTCONF, NETCONF demo

  • What are containers?

  • What is Docker?

  • What are Microservices

  • What is Kubernetes?

  • Demo Kubernetes and ACI working together

Other topics were also discussed.

All the best!

David
Read More Beginner Beginner Level product length iconTime: 19.6h

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Instructor Details

David Bombal

David Bombal (CCIE  #11023 Emeritus) passed his Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Routing and Switching exam in January 2003 and is one of a small percentage of Cisco Engineers that pass their CCIE labs on their first attempt. 

David qualified as a  Cisco Certified Systems Instructor (CCSI #22787) many years ago! He has been training Cisco  courses for over 20 years and has delivered instructor led courses in various  countries around the world covering a wide range of Cisco topics from CCNA to  CCIE. 

David is very active on social media and has over 2 million YouTube subscribers and has posted over 1,000 free videos.

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Reviews

4.7

2,654 ratings on Udemy

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By Rupam Ghosh on 3/19/2026

It was Good Overall

By Esteban Alzate Duque on 9/6/2020

Great content. Highly recommended for folks that want to get started with network automation and don't know where to start or are somehow familiar with the topic but want to know where the community is heading towards, new trends, tools, etc.

By Fabio Spinelli on 4/15/2020

I feel better oriented about the options of automation available for network engineer at this moment with this training. Many thanks to David and Hank for great summary job and clear explanations.

By Dejan Milosevic on 4/6/2020

I like the "unofficial" style of presenting - makes it so much easier to dive into the matter. Also, the explanations presented makes so much sense...

By Dean Babbage on 12/11/2019

This is an excellent and FREE resource which is a must for any network engineer looking to get involved with all things automation and programmability. David and Hank are a great double act. I like in particular how David summarises everything that Hank explains and keeps taking it back to how a network engineer can do this and why they would do this. Highly recommended!

By Chad Wilson on 11/10/2019

Just finished! Great overview on the various topics and tools available in the network automation space. I'm new to automation but I feel like this course did a good job in detailing the foundational skills one must have in order to succeed down the road.

By Geo Meno on 8/10/2019

Literally the perfect starting point for anyone interested in network automation. From here, resources are given to dive deeper. This is a very high level overview covering what you will actually be learning upon completion of the course. Cisco learning resources are FREE for netdevops! You will be introduced to these resources and how to access them in this course (hint: all you need is a free cisco login).

By Syed Rizvi on 5/2/2019

As always, David has done amazing job by creating this content with Hank. Hank your awesome and simple explanations gives us motivation to learn new way of Next-Gen-Network automation Engineering . I like to thank you both of you!!!

By Eugen Maftei on 1/12/2019

Very good course, Hank is definitely a gifted speaker, we can see he knows what he talks about. David is very good also, you never get lost in this course. The questions David is asking are coming at the right moment and only to make sure we understand correctly the specific subject. The way the course ends, makes me believe there is a Part Two somewhere, so ... I have to find that! Great course! Well done!

By Valentino Massimo on 9/25/2018

These guys are two of the best trainers on Udemy.. Jurassic park guy ,,('Henderson) is a goldmine.. David Bombal is apparently one of the most kindest and altruistic & patient men on the planet.. His kids in Island must really look up to him r, he also drops cool beats into his videos.

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Overall Score : 94 / 100

Net DevOps: Cisco Python, Automation, NETCONF, SDN, Docker
Visit course on Udemy Write a review
  • Video Duration: icon 19.6h
  • Price: Free
  • Provider: icon Udemy
  • Updated: icon July 2020
  • Level: Beginner Beginner
  • Language: icon English
  • Certificate: icon No
  • Lectures:48 in 17 sections
  • Students:130,600
  • Subtitles:1 language

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