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Getting Started

Welcome! This guide will help you understand what Nautomation Prime offers and how to get started.

What is Nautomation Prime?

Nautomation Prime bridges the gap between complex Cisco infrastructure and streamlined Python-driven automation. We provide:

  • Production-ready automation scripts explained line-by-line
  • Deep-dive technical guides that teach you the "why" behind the code
  • Enterprise solutions including Docker containers and portable bundles
  • Bespoke services for custom automation needs

Important: This site is not a Python tutorial. We assume you already know Python basics (variables, functions, loops, exceptions, file I/O). Our goal is to teach you how to apply Python to network automation and provide a foundation you can transfer into your own scripts or learning journey.

🚀 Quick Start Paths

I want to learn network automation

Start with our Technical Deep Dives. We provide comprehensive guides that explain Python automation concepts alongside real Cisco use cases.

Recommended Reading Order:

  1. CDP Network Audit Deep Dive - Learn about threading, security, and production-grade design

I want to use pre-built scripts

Check out our Script Library. Each script comes with documentation and GitHub repositories for easy deployment.

Popular Scripts:

I need custom automation for my environment

Explore our Services page. We offer:

  • Custom Python scripting tailored to your topology
  • Portable bundles for restricted environments
  • Docker containers for continuous automation
  • ISE and Zero Trust automation

📋 Prerequisites

Python Knowledge (Important!):

  • This site assumes you already know Python. We teach you how to apply Python to network automation, not how to learn Python itself.
  • If you're new to Python, we recommend completing a Python fundamentals course first (Codecademy, Real Python, W3Schools, or similar).
  • You should understand: variables, functions, loops, conditionals, exceptions, and basic file I/O.
  • Our code is written for clarity (not brevity), so intermediate Python developers will follow along easily.

Technical Requirements:

  • Python 3.8+ (or use our portable bundles if Python isn't available)
  • Network access to your Cisco devices
  • Credentials for device authentication
  • SSH enabled on target Cisco devices

🔐 Security & Credentials

Nautomation Prime follows enterprise security best practices:

✅ Credentials stored in OS credential managers (not plaintext files)
✅ No hardcoded secrets in scripts
✅ Secure jump-host support for isolated networks
✅ Full source code transparency (no compiled binaries)

📚 Core Concepts

The "Prime" Philosophy

Every tool, script, and guide adheres to three principles:

  1. Line-by-Line Transparency
  2. We explain the why behind the code, not just the what
  3. Every design decision is documented

  4. You'll understand your automation, not just run it

  5. Hardened for Production

  6. Robust error handling
  7. Pre-flight safety checks
  8. Enterprise-grade credential management

  9. Thread-safe concurrent operations

  10. Vendor-Neutral

  11. Built on industry-standard libraries (Netmiko, Nornir, PyATS)
  12. Your skills remain portable
  13. Scripts can scale beyond Cisco if needed

🛠️ Common Tasks

Deploy the CDP Network Audit Tool

  1. Visit the CDP Audit GitHub repository
  2. Read the Deep Dive guide for understanding the architecture
  3. Follow the README for installation and configuration
  4. Run your first discovery against a test device

Request Custom Automation

  1. Document your use case and network topology
  2. Contact us via email or LinkedIn
  3. Describe any constraints (e.g., restricted environments, specific platforms)
  4. Receive a detailed proposal and timeline

Use Portable Bundles (No Python Installation)

  1. Request a custom bundle through our services page
  2. Download the bundle to your workstation or USB drive
  3. Extract and run directly—no installation needed
  4. Full source code is included for auditing

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need Python installed to use Nautomation Prime tools?
A: Not necessarily! We offer portable bundles that run without Python installation. Ideal for restricted enterprise environments where Python may not be permitted.

Q: Can you automate my specific network topology?
A: Absolutely! Our bespoke services cover custom scripting for any topology. Contact us via email or LinkedIn to discuss your specific requirements.

Q: Are these tools vendor-locked to Cisco?
A: Our tools are built on vendor-neutral libraries like Netmiko and Nornir. While designed for Cisco, the patterns and concepts apply across other vendors (Juniper, Arista, etc.).

Q: How do I secure my credentials?
A: We leverage native OS credential managers (Windows Credential Manager, Keychain on macOS, pass on Linux). Passwords are never stored in plaintext files or hardcoded in scripts. When you run a script like CDP Network Audit for the first time, it will prompt you to save your credentials to Windows Credential Manager—just enter your username and password, and the script will store them securely. Future runs will use the stored credentials automatically.

Q: What about support and updates?
A: All tools are maintained on GitHub with active development. Issues and feature requests can be filed directly on repositories. For enterprise support, contact us.

📖 Next Steps

Our Mission: To empower engineers through Python-driven transparency and provide enterprises with hardened automation that eliminates error and accelerates growth.