Bridging the Divide Between CLI and Automation IT Teams with NVIDIA NVUE

Learn more about the NVIDIA NVUE object-oriented, schema-driven model of a complete Cumulus Linux system. The API enables you to configure any system element.

Maor Idan
3 min readbeginner
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Overview

The article discusses the challenges faced by network engineers transitioning from command-line interface (CLI) to automation, highlighting NVIDIA's User Experience (NVUE) as a solution. NVUE aims to unify CLI-savvy and automation-savvy teams through an object-oriented, schema-driven model that simplifies network management and configuration.

What You'll Learn

1

How to use the NVUE API for network configuration

2

Why NVUE bridges the gap between CLI and automation teams

3

How to apply object-oriented programming concepts in network management

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • Basic understanding of networking concepts and command-line interfaces
  • Familiarity with REST APIs and programming languages like Python or Java(optional)

Key Questions Answered

What is NVIDIA User Experience (NVUE) and how does it work?
NVIDIA User Experience (NVUE) is an object-oriented, schema-driven model for managing Cumulus Linux systems. It provides a unified API that allows both CLI and REST API to interact with the same object model, ensuring consistent results across different interfaces.
How does NVUE help bridge the gap between CLI and automation teams?
NVUE allows CLI-savvy network engineers to transition to automation gradually, using familiar CLI commands while leveraging REST API capabilities. This approach facilitates collaboration between network engineers and developers, enhancing overall network automation.
What are the benefits of using NVUE for network management?
The benefits of NVUE include a smoother transition from CLI to automation for network engineers and the ability for developers to work alongside network engineers without needing extensive networking knowledge. This leads to improved efficiency and innovation in network operations.

Technologies & Tools

Networking
Nvidia User Experience (nvue)
A unified model for managing Cumulus Linux systems through CLI and REST API.
Operating System
Cumulus Linux
The underlying operating system that NVUE manages.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Leverage the NVUE API to streamline network configurations across multiple devices.
Using a unified API allows for consistent configuration management, reducing errors and improving efficiency in network operations.
2
Encourage collaboration between CLI-savvy engineers and developers to enhance automation efforts.
By fostering teamwork, organizations can bridge the skills gap and accelerate their automation initiatives, ultimately leading to more innovative solutions.
3
Utilize NVIDIA Air to experiment with NVUE features in a virtual environment.
This hands-on approach allows engineers to familiarize themselves with NVUE without the need for physical hardware, making it easier to adopt new technologies.

Common Pitfalls

1
Failing to recognize the importance of bridging the skills gap between CLI and automation teams can hinder network automation efforts.
Without collaboration, organizations may struggle to find qualified talent and may not fully leverage the capabilities of automation tools like NVUE.

Related Concepts

Network Automation
Command-line Interface (cli)
REST API
Object-oriented Programming