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NETCONF (Network Configuration Protocol) is a network management protocol designed to automate network operations and manage network devices efficiently. It plays a crucial role in modern network automation, particularly in the CCNA DevNet curriculum. NETCONF uses a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) mechanism to interact with network devices, enabling structured and programmable network management.
How NETCONF Works
NETCONF operates over SSH or other secure transport protocols and utilizes XML for data encoding. It follows a layered architecture consisting of:
– Content Layer: Contains configuration and state data (modeled using YANG).
– Operations Layer: Defines protocol operations like <get-config>, <edit-config>, and <copy-config>.
– Transport Layer: Ensures secure communication (e.g., SSH, TLS).
Key NETCONF Operations
1. `` – Retrieves device configuration.
2. `` – Modifies device configuration.
3. `` – Copies configurations between devices.
4. `` – Removes a configuration datastore.
5. `` / `` – Prevents concurrent edits.
Why NETCONF is Part of Model-Driven Programmability
NETCONF integrates with YANG data models, enabling standardized, vendor-neutral network automation. Unlike SNMP, it supports transactional changes and validation, making it ideal for DevOps and network automation workflows.
You Should Know: Practical NETCONF Commands and Examples
1. Install NETCONF Tools (Linux)
sudo apt-get install libnetconf2-tools -y # For Debian/Ubuntu sudo yum install libnetconf2-tools -y # For CentOS/RHEL
2. Start a NETCONF Session via SSH
ssh admin@router -p 830 -s netconf
3. Retrieve Device Configuration
<rpc message-id="101" xmlns="urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:netconf:base:1.0"> <get-config> <source><running/></source> </get-config> </rpc>
4. Modify Configuration (Example: Change Hostname)
<rpc message-id="102" xmlns="urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:netconf:base:1.0"> <edit-config> <target><running/></target> <config> <system xmlns="urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:yang:ietf-system"> <hostname>new-router</hostname> </system> </config> </edit-config> </rpc>
5. Validate Configuration Before Applying
<validate> <source><candidate/></source> </validate>
6. NETCONF Python Example (Using ncclient)
from ncclient import manager with manager.connect( host="router", port=830, username="admin", password="password", hostkey_verify=False ) as m: config = m.get_config(source='running').data_xml print(config)
What Undercode Say
NETCONF revolutionizes network automation by replacing legacy CLI-based management with structured, programmable interfaces. Mastering NETCONF, along with YANG modeling, is essential for network engineers transitioning to DevOps and automation roles. Practical implementation involves:
– Linux/Windows Tools: libnetconf2, ncclient, `PyEZ` (Juniper).
– Security: Always use SSH/TLS for secure NETCONF sessions.
– Automation Scripts: Integrate with Ansible (ansible-netconf) or Terraform for scalable deployments.
For further reading, explore:
Expected Output:
A structured, automated network management workflow using NETCONF, reducing manual errors and enabling seamless DevOps integration.
References:
Reported By: Ravi Kumar – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
