Data Models: Group Variables
Explore how to structure network data models using YAML group variables and Jinja2 dynamic templates. Understand how to create standardized, intent-driven configurations for network platforms by organizing common settings into group variables and applying them through templated automation.
We'll cover the following...
Introduction
In this chapter, network configurations are converted and split into variables contained inside data models and dynamic templates. First group variables are created at a platform level representing standard configurations for the distribution or access layer. Unique, host-specific information will become host variables. Data models are written in the YAML format.
Jinja2 dynamic templates are introduced at this stage. These templates are used to establish the intent-based, data-driven, golden configuration that is applied to the devices. Jinja2 files are a mix of static text, programmatic logic, and dynamic variables. These variables are called from the group and host variables in the data models. The resulting compiled output is an ...