If you’re a network engineer dipping your toes into Python, then first of all; welcome to the wondrous world of network automation! You’re not alone. Increasingly more engineers are picking up scripting to automate the repetitive stuff and free up time for the work that makes the difference.

But getting started isn’t always easy. Especially when it comes to API-first automation of Cisco infrastructure.

 

The Reality of existing SDKs

Cisco has APIs for just about everything – ISE, Catalyst Center, Meraki, FMC, APIC, you name it. But each one tends to come with its own SDK, its own documentation, and its own way of doing things. If you are new to Python, that can become overwhelming fast.

Sometimes you find yourself spending time on figuring out how to authenticate or format a request rather than actually solving the problem you set out to automate. Let alone trying to retrieve multiple pages… Just look at this table and see for yourself:

 

Cisco Platform API differences table 

Cisco Platform API differences table

That’s exactly the kind of frustration we wanted to eliminate when we built Wingpy.

What Is Wingpy?

Wingpy is a Python library that wraps Cisco’s APIs in a way that is consistent, and beginner friendly. It is designed to help you get things done without needing to become a full-time developer. Because let us be honest – network technology is still what excites us!
We set out to solve the complexity and wanted:
  • One way to do things: Whether you’re working with ISE, DNAC, or FMC, the interface looks and feels the same.
  • Authentication and paging are handled for you. Just import the library, connect, and go.
  • Simple installation with common tools (e.g. pip, uv, poetry).

 

A Real FMC Example

Let’s say you want to list all host objects from Cisco FMC. With Wingpy, it’s as simple as:

from wingpy import CiscoFMC

fmc = CiscoFMC(verify=False)

Notice the {domainUUID} in the URL? Wingpy automatically replaces that for you, so you can copy API paths directly from Cisco’s documentation without needing to tweak them. That’s a huge time-saver – especially when you’re just getting started.
Simple recipes are something we are big fans of! We do not think it gets much easier than this.

 

Why It Matters

When you are learning Python, the last thing you need is more complication slowing you down. Learning to read API documentation and the language syntax is already complex enough. Wingpy gives you a smoother path into automation, so you can focus on solving real problems rather than figuring out the hidden details of a specific platform’s endpoint.
Once you’ve automated one task, the next one feels a lot more doable. And before you know it, you’re scripting like a pro.

 

Give It a Try

If you’ve been meaning to start automating your Cisco controller-based environment but do not know where to begin, Wingpy might be the nudge you need. It’s open source, easy to install, and built with network engineers in mind.
Check out the docs, try a few examples, and see what you can build.