Python for IT Automation

Networking· 3 CUs· D522

Performance assessmentDue May 4, 2027

Lessons0 / 17

Python for IT tasks: variables, operators, data structures

Control structures for automation

Automating system tasks

Modules, packages and libraries for networking

Git and GitLab for submitting code

Python for IT tasks: variables, operators, data structures

Core syntax for scripts

10 min

Type	Mutable	Typical IT use
str	No	Hostnames, command output
int, float	No	Ports, counts, latency
bool	No	Reachable or not
list	Yes	Ordered device list
tuple	No	Fixed pairs: (host, port)
set	Yes	Unique IPs; differences between inventories
dict	Yes	One device's settings by name

Everything read from input(), a file, a CSV or command output is str. "22" == 22 is False.

port = "22". port == 22

Valid port test for an int p:

Submit the performance assessment: Task 1 network automation scripts, Task 2 repeating monitor

Students report D522 moved from an OA to this two-task PA on June 22, 2026; confirm the version in the course.

Content

Task details

Graded by

Rubric

csv.DictReader turns each inventory row into a dictionary keyed by the header row, so fields are read by name. Open the file with newline=''.
Python docs, csv
subprocess.run() returns a CompletedProcess; returncode 0 means the command, such as a ping, succeeded. Pass the command as a list, with capture_output=True, text=True.
Python docs, subprocess
Wrap each device's checks in try/except so one unreachable device is reported and the loop moves on instead of crashing.
Python docs, tutorial
A JSON reply does not mean the API call worked: check r.status_code or call r.raise_for_status() before trusting r.json().
Requests docs, quickstart
Send JSON with requests.post(url, json=payload), which sets the Content-Type, and always pass timeout=, since requests never time out by default.
Requests docs, quickstart
Build alerts with EmailMessage: set Subject, From and To, call set_content(), then send with smtplib.SMTP(host).send_message(msg).
Python docs, email examples
Put a script's run code under if __name__ == '__main__': so another script, such as Task 2's monitor, can import its functions without running it.
Python docs, __main__

Tips

Read the rubric and the instructors' D522 reference guide in order before coding; map each requirement to one function.
Rubric-style checklist: every requirement implemented; screenshot of output for each; code on the required branch in GitLab; runs without errors on a second run; per-device error handling; comments that state intent; no stray debug output.
Write the decision logic for each check in plain words first (for example: exempt, unreachable, correct, needs repair).
Store device data from the first pass in one structure; later requirements reuse it.
Task 2 builds on Task 1: modular Task 1 code makes Task 2 short.
Lab: use Chrome; keep the token and git config commands ready to paste; commit and push often; follow the lab's startup order.
All needed libraries are preinstalled in the lab, per students. Use the course material and library docs; write the code yourself.
A missing screenshot alone has caused a returned task: collect them as you go.

The learner applies Python principles and syntax to manage variables, data structures, and operators and to perform IT tasks.
The learner creates Python scripts using control structures to automate system tasks.
The learner integrates Python scripts, modules, packages, and libraries to automate networking tasks and processes.

Study hours

70 h

Lessons

3 h 30 min

SourcesUpdated Nov 4, 2026