FILE 04 · Active · Network automation

Cisco Config Generator

A Python desktop application for planning, validating, exporting, and optionally deploying Cisco IOS / IOS-XE router and switch configurations without asking test users to install Python or command-line tools.

Problem

Building repeatable Cisco configs by hand is slow and easy to drift. The tool gives common router, switch, security, routing, and management features a structured form workflow with validation before anything is copied to a device.

Design goal

Keep it useful for lab and test users first: clear inputs, generated CLI, warnings when device support is uncertain, exportable handoff files, and live SSH actions that require deliberate review.

Workflow

From plan to guarded deployment.

Generation

Feature-aware forms

Profiles shape what the app shows for routers, switches, and layer-3 switches so unavailable features stay out of the way instead of failing late.

Validation

Readable warnings

Validation and lint reports explain missing inputs, device caveats, and risky commands in user-facing language instead of raw data names.

Deployment

Guarded SSH workspace

Live SSH support includes profiles, interactive CLI, backups, pre-checks, post-checks, and explicit confirmation before candidate commands are pushed.

Feature areas

Built around real Cisco lab workflows.

  • Base system settings, users, AAA, SSH, SNMP, logging, NTP, and banners
  • Interfaces, subinterfaces, SVIs, VLANs, trunks, access ports, and switching safeguards
  • Static routing, PBR, VRF-Lite, IPv6, OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP basics
  • GRE, DMVPN, VTI, IPsec, NAT, ACLs, Zone-Based Firewall, QoS, and gateway HA
  • Validation reports, deployment checklists, rollback notes, and bundle export
  • Standalone Windows executable built for offline test-user distribution

Release shape

One executable for testers.

The current packaging target is a single Windows .exe that bundles Python, the app code, Tkinter, Cisco profile data, templates, Netmiko, Paramiko, and supporting libraries so test users can open it directly.

Next refinements

Improve profile accuracy as more Cisco devices are tested, keep UI density under control, expand import coverage carefully, and continue making validation messages readable for non-developers.