Mastering Go Network Automation: Automating Networks, Container Orchestration, Kubernetes with Puppet, Vegeta and Apache JMeter

Mastering Go Network Automation

Automating Networks, Container Orchestration, Kubernetes with Puppet, Vegeta and Apache JMeter

Ian Taylor

Content

Preface

Chapter 1: Go Essentials for Networks

Why Go for Networking?

Overview

Features of Networking

Overview of Network Automation

Understanding Data Types

Boolean

Numeric Types

All about Loops!

For Loop

While Loop

Range Loop

Infinite Loop

Nested Loop

Early Exit

Continue Statement

Exploring Functions

Defining Functions

Calling Functions

Return Values

Multiple Return Values

Variadic Functions

Anonymous Functions

File Handling in Go

Creating a File

Opening a File

Writing to a File

Reading from a File

Appending to a File

Deleting a File

Go Modules

What is a Module?

Creating a Module

Adding Dependencies

Managing Dependencies

Using a Module

Publishing a Module

My First Go Script

Summary

Chapter 2: Setting Up Network Automation Environment

Components of a Network Automation Lab

Virtualization Environment

Network Devices

Configuration Management

Monitoring and Logging

Testing Framework

Scripting and Automation

Security

Install EVE-NG Network Simulator

Download EVE-NG Community Edition

Install Dependencies

Install EVE-NG

Configure EVE-NG

Import EVE-NG Images

Create a Network Topology

Configure the Devices

Save and Export the Topology

Install Go for Network Automation Lab

Download Go

Install Go

Verify Go Installation

Set up a Go Workspace

Test the Go Installation

Install Vim IDE

Install Vim

Install Vundle

Configure Vim

Install Plugins

Configure Plugins

Configure Go Networking Libraries

Import the Net Package

Create a TCP Listener

Create a UDP Connection

Use the HTTP Package

Use the SSH Package

Configure Ports with Go

Import os/exec Package

Use exec.Command Function

Use exec.Output Function

Use os/exec Package to Configure Ports

Use os Package to Configure Ports

Summary

Chapter 3: Configuring Modern Networks

Components of Modern Networks

Hosts

Servers

Networks

Types of Networks

Configure Hosts

Import os/exec Package

Use exec.Command Function to Run Command

Use exec.Output Function to Capture Output

Use os/exec Package to Configure Multiple Hosts

Use os Package to Configure Hosts

Configure Servers

Import os/exec Package

Use exec.Command Function to Run Command

Use exec.Output Function to Capture Output

Use os/exec Package to Configure Multiple Servers

Use os Package to Configure Servers

Configure Network Encryption

Import crypto/tls Package

Use tls.Dial Function to Create TLS Connection

Use tls.Listen Function to Listen TLS Connections

Use tls.Config Struct to Configure TLS Connection

Use crypto/rand Package to Generate Random Numbers

Use crypto/tls Package to Create Self-Signed Certificate

Verify the TLS Connection

Test Simulator, Ports, Hosts and Server

Testing the Simulator

Testing Installed Libraries

Testing Ports

Testing Hosts

Testing Servers

Summary

Chapter 4: Write, Test and Validate Automation Scripts

Understanding Go Network Automation Scripts

Procedure to Code Network Automation Scripts

Ways to Write Automation Scripts

Write, Test and Validate Automation Scripts

Define Scope of Script

Install Required Libraries

Write Codes

Test the Script

Validate the Script

Iterate and Improve the Script

Document the Script

Define Variables for Automation Scripts

Declare the Variable

Initialize the Variable

Use the Variable

Sample Program to Define Variables

Automate Configuring Host Name

Import Required Packages

Define Connection Parameters

Establish SSH Connection

Send Commands to Device

Test and Validate the Code

Testing Automation Script in Test Environment

Set up a Test Environment

Copy Automation Code to Test Environment

Test the Code

Sample Program of Testing Automation Script in Test Environment

Debug Errors in Testing

Install Go Debugger

Add Breakpoints to Code

Run the Code with Debugger

Inspect Program's State

Continue Execution

Validate Automation Scripts in Production

Prepare the Production Environment

Build and Package the Code

Copy Binary to Production Device

Run the Code on Production Device

Verify the Configuration Changes

Repeat Steps 1-5 for Each Device

Summary

Chapter 5: Automation of Configuration Management

Neccessity of Configuration Management

Overview

Benefits of Configuration Management

Role of Go in Configuration Management

Server Provisioning with Puppet and Go

Install Puppet on Server(s)

Apply Puppet Manifest to Server(s)

Automation of System Settings

Importing Necessary Packages

Defining Function to Set Timezone

Calling the Function

Building and Running the Program

Automating the Process

Modify Base Configurations

Identify Base Configurations to Modify

Write the Go Script

Apply the Changes

Verify the Changes

Automating System Identification

Install Puppet and Go

Define Puppet Manifests

Write Go Scripts

Run the Go Script

Automating System Patches and Updates

Create New Directory for Project

Initialize New Go Module in Directory

Create New Go File ‘main.go’ and Import Necessary Packages

Create Puppet Manifest ‘patching.pp’ to Manage Go Code

Apply the Puppet Manifest

Identifying Unstable and Non-compliant Configuration

Install InSpec

Create an InSpec Profile

Define Policies and Rules

Run InSpec Audit

Integrate with Go

Summary

Chapter 6: Networking with Container and Docker

Understanding Docker and Containers

Overview

Role of Go in Containerization

Installing Docker

Building Docker Images

Install Docker

Create a Dockerfile

Build the Docker Image

Verify the Docker Image

Running Containers

Create a Go Program

Build the Docker Image using Dockerfile

Run the Docker Container

Automate Container Operations

Install Docker and Docker Compose

Define the Container Configurations

Build and Start the Containers

Test the Running Containers

Stop and Remove the Containers

Managing Container Networks

Need of Container Networking

Managing Containers using Docker CLI

Summary

Chapter 7: Orchestrating Containers and Automating Workloads

Networking for Container Workloads

Understanding Container Scheduling

Container Scheduling Techniques

Role of Networking Automation for Containers

Service Discovery

Automating Service Discovery with Zookeeper

Understanding Service Discovery

Practical Demonstration to Automate Service Discovery

Essentials of Load Balancers

Add or Remove Servers using Traefik

Understanding Traefik

Procedure to Add/Remove Servers from Load Balancers

Configure Load Balancing Algorithms

Summary

Chapter 8: Automate SSL, Container-native Storage and Performance

SSL Security Protocol

Automate Setting Up SSL Certificates

Install and Import Necessary Libraries

Create New HTTPS Server

Generate Self-signed SSL Certificate

Container-native Storage

Manage Container Storage using Docker

Procedure to Work with Docker Storage

Using Docker Client to Create New Container

Create File inside Container

Benefit of Container Performance

Using Go to Monitor Container Performance

Automate Deployment of Updates

Summary

Chapter 9: Kubernetes Automation

Kubernetes Networking

Understanding Kubernetes In-Detail

Networking Makes Kubernetes Easy

Advantages of Kubernetes Networking

Inside Kubernetes Networking

Role of Go Networking Inside Kubernetes

Go Tools for Kubernetes Networking

Setup K8s Cluster with kubeadm

Sample Program to Setup Kubernetes Cluster

Envoy Ingress Controllers

Introducing Envoy

Benefits of Envoy

Deploy Envoy Ingress Controllers using Go

Detailed Steps of Envoy Deployment

Sample Program to Deploy Envoy

Install the Required Dependencies

Deploy Envoy Ingress Controller using Helm

Create an Ingress Resource

Summary

Chapter 10: Service Mesh, Firewall and Network Policies

Understanding Service Mesh

Overview

Advantages of Service Mesh

Service Mesh Tools

Service Mesh with Linkerd

Procedure to Adopt Service Mesh

Sample Program to Implement Linkerd Service Mesh

Install and Configure Linkerd

Deploy the Application

Create a Service

Install Linkerd Proxy

Verify the Setup

Automate Firewall Configuration

Install the Necessary Packages

Define Firewall Rules

Create Go Program to Automate Firewall Configuration

Test the Program

Automate the Program

Sample Program to Automate Firewall

Automate Linkerd Network Policies

Sample Program to Automate Network Policies

Summary

Chapter 11: Network Performance Testing

Performance Testing

Importance of Performance Testing

Tasks and Operations Involved in Performance Testing

Automate Load Testing

Volume Testing

Stress Testing

Spike Testing

Soak Testing

Endurance Testing

Benefits of Load Testing

Enhanced User Experience

Increased Productivity

Reduced Downtime

Exploring Go Vegeta Tool

Overview

Benefits of Vegeta Testing Tool

Sample Program to Run Load Testing

Stress Testing

Overview

Go Tools for Stress Testing

Procedure to Run Stress Testing

Install Stress Testing Tool

Create Test File

Run the Test

Sample Program to Run Stress Testing

Install Vegeta

Write a Test Script

Run the Test

Analyze the Results

Scalability Testing

Overview

Techniques of Scalability Testing

Exploring Apache JMeter

Using Apache JMeter with Go

Procedure to Run Apache JMeter Testing

Sample Program to Run Scalability Testing with Apache JMeter

Summary

Preface

Mastering Go Network Automation is a structured beginning for network administrators looking to improve network efficiency, scalability, and security. This book provides a one-stop solution for all of your network administration needs, with comprehensive coverage of automation, security, containerization, monitoring, and performance testing.

Beginning with the fundamentals of creating a network automation lab with the EVE-NG network simulator and the Go programming language, readers will learn the step-by-step process of installing EVE-NG, followed by the importance of service mesh in automation and how it can simplify network operations.

The book delves deeply into critical topics such as deploying ingress controllers and implementing service mesh with Linkerd. Readers will learn about container-native storage, container storage management with Docker, and automating SSL certificates, firewall configuration, and network policies.

Monitoring and performance tuning are also covered in the book, including how to monitor container performance and automatically roll out updates. The book concludes with a discussion of performance testing strategies like load testing, stress testing, and scalability testing. It shows readers how to find performance bottlenecks and optimise their network with the help of tools like Vegeta and Apache JMeter through the use of real-world examples.

In this book you will learn how to:

Setting up an EVE-NG network simulator, VIM IDE, kubeadm, and a comprehensive network automation lab to improve network efficiency, scalability, and security.

Configuring ports, hosts, and servers using Go scripting to streamline network automation.

Writing, testing, and validating network automation scripts to ensure smooth and reliable network administration.

Building Docker images, running containers, and managing container deployments for efficient containerization.

Automating load balancing, firewall configuration, and Kubernetes network policies for seamless network management.

Working with popular tools such as Puppet, Zookeeper, Traefik, Envoy, and various Go networking packages.

Automating SSL setup, container storage, container performance monitoring, and rolling updates.

Using powerful load testing tools like Vegeta and Apache JMeter for efficient load testing, stress testing, and scalability testing to identify and eliminate performance bottlenecks.

GitforGits

Prerequisites

If you're a network administrator who wants to level up your game, Mastering Go Network Administration is the book for you. This book will help you become a more efficient, effective, and confident network administrator by providing clear explanations, practical examples, and comprehensive coverage.

Codes Usage

Are you in need of some helpful code examples to assist you in your programming and documentation? Look no further! Our book offers a wealth of supplemental material, including code examples and exercises.

Not only is this book here to aid you in getting your job done, but you have our permission to use the example code in your programs and documentation. However, please note that if you are reproducing a significant portion of the code, we do require you to contact us for permission.

But don't worry, using several chunks of code from this book in your program or answering a question by citing our book and quoting example code does not require permission. But if you do choose to give credit, an attribution typically includes the title, author, publisher, and ISBN. For example, Mastering Go Network Automation by Ian Taylor.

If you are unsure whether your intended use of the code examples falls under fair use or the permissions outlined above, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. 

We are happy to assist and clarify any concerns.

Acknowledgement

Ian Taylor expresses his gratitude to all of the other contributors to Go and work tirelessly to improve the quality of the programming language. Ian would want to express his gratitude to the copywriters, tech editors, and reviewers who helped create a powerful yet simple book that outperforms Go coding in a relatively short period of time. And, lastly to his entire family and friends extending their support to finish the project at the earliest.

Chapter 1: Go Essentials for Networks

Why Go for Networking?

Overview

Go, also known as Golang, is a programming language that was developed by Google in 2007. It is an open-source language that was designed with the goal of simplifying the process of developing high-performance network applications. The language's syntax is simple and easy to learn, and it is known for its efficiency, scalability, and reliability. Due to these features, Go has become increasingly popular for network programming and network automation.

Network programming refers to the development of applications that communicate over a network. These applications can include web servers, microservices, and other network-based services.

Features of Networking

Go provides a number of features that make it well-suited for network programming. These features include:

●       Concurrency: Go has built-in support for concurrency, which allows developers to write applications that can handle multiple tasks simultaneously. This is particularly useful for network programming, where applications need to handle multiple requests and responses at the same time.

●       Garbage collection: Go has an efficient garbage collector that automatically frees up memory that is no longer in use. This feature makes it easy for developers to write network applications without worrying about memory management.

●       Standard library: Go comes with a comprehensive standard library that includes