Cisco Meraki provides a cloud-based platform for managing network infrastructure, including switches, routers, wireless access points, security appliances, and many more. The Meraki API allows developers to interact programmatically with the Meraki dashboard, enabling automation, customization, and integration of network management tasks.
So if you have ever wondered what Meraki dashboard APIs are and how to use it with Python, look no further. We are excited to announce that we've developed a comprehensive series aimed at assisting you with the Meraki API and Python.
What is this series?
This series is a set of tutorials, guides, or resources designed to help developers start working with the Meraki API using the Python programming language. APIs allow different software applications to communicate and interact with each other, enabling developers to create custom integrations, automate tasks, and extract data from the Meraki platform programmatically.
Who is it for?
This series is primarily intended for anyone interested in automating their Meraki deployments and is looking for a great resource to get started. However, it will also help developers, network administrators, and IT professionals who are interested in integrating Cisco Meraki's cloud-managed networking solutions with their own applications, tools, or scripts.
What will you be able to do after completing it?
Completing the series will equip you with the knowledge and skills to leverage the Meraki API in conjunction with the Python programming language. Please note that even though this series will give you a strong foundation and practical application, continued learning is the key to mastering the skills. This series is written with beginners in mind so as to break the barrier of entry and have anyone get started with using Meraki APIs with Python. Hence, as technology evolves, staying updated with the latest developments in the Meraki API and related technologies will also be crucial.
Table of Content
Part 1: API fundamentals
In this part of the series, you will learn about the basics concepts of APIs including REST API, HTTP methods, and understanding the structure of an API request and response.
Part 2: Python setup & intro to Meraki library
In this part of the series, you will learn how to install Python (Windows and MacOS) and Meraki library on your local machine, creating a virtual environment, how to navigate through Meraki API documentation, and making your very first API call.
Part 3: Data processing
In this part of the series, you will get to deep-dive more into how to handle response data using Python and understanding common response formats. This includes understanding some key Python concepts like data types, loops, and if-else statements, and putting it into practice.
Part 4: Intro to Requests library
In this part of the series, you will learn about Requests library, which is another way of making API calls used by developers for a long time now. You will also learn about some security best practices when dealing with API keys and sensitive information.
Part 5: Manipulating Requests response
In this part of the series, you will learn about some key differences between the Meraki library and Requests library. This should help you decide which library best suits you based on your experience, comfortability, and ease of use.
Part 6: Functions
In this part of the series, you will learn about modularizing your script into chunks for easy management and re-use of the code using Functions.
Part 7: Bringing it all together
In this final part of the series, you will get to bring all the concepts and knowledge gained thus far to build your own custom script. You will be writing a Python script to automate a manual task and display the desired outcome in a structured and easy to understand manner. This will definitely help you put everything you know into practice and give you the confidence to start writing up automation scripts to make your life easier.
Next Steps
