Cisco pyATS
Cisco pyATS is a Python framework for network testing, automation, and validation.
What Cisco pyATS is
Cisco pyATS is a Python framework for network testing, automation, and validation. It supports sanity, feature, solution, system, and scale testing, with reusable data-driven tests ranging from simple cases to complex asynchronous suites. Genie libraries provide device connectivity, parsers, APIs, platform-agnostic feature models, reusable test cases, and a YAML-driven runner. Built-in device libraries support Cisco IOS, IOS XE, IOS XR, NX-OS, and ASA; plugins and extensions can add other platforms. Connections can use CLI, NETCONF, or RESTCONF. XPRESSO manages test suites, environments, testbeds, resources, live test views, and archived results with comparisons and analytics. It also supports on-demand, bundled, and scheduled execution using Jenkins and Docker backends. Cisco documents community integrations with Ansible and out-of-the-box RobotFramework support. pyATS is free under the Apache 2.0 license, with more than 75% of its codebase open source on GitHub. It runs on Linux and macOS and supports self-hosted deployment. Best-effort email support is available, usually with a response within a day.
Good
- Free under the Apache 2.0 license.
- Supports CLI, NETCONF, and RESTCONF connections.
- Includes reusable data-driven tests.
- XPRESSO tracks live and archived test results.
Watch out
- Built-in device support focuses on Cisco platforms.
- Runs on Linux and macOS.
- Email support is best-effort.
Who it suits
pyATS suits network engineers and teams automating validation across supported Cisco devices. Its reusable tests and XPRESSO management features may help teams coordinating larger test programs.
Verdict
pyATS combines network test automation libraries with tools for managing and reviewing test runs. Teams should check its supported environments and device integrations against their setup.
Plans and prices
From Cisco pyATS's own pricing page, checked 29 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| pyATS | Free | Free of charge · Apache 2.0 license |
The facts
Each one read from Cisco pyATS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
The company
- Company history
- Cisco states it was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Founded
- 2014checked 28 Sep 2026
What it does
- Connection protocols
- Device connections can use CLI, NETCONF, or RESTCONF.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Dashboard
- XPRESSO manages test suites, environments, testbeds, resources, live test views, and archived results with comparisons and analytics.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Execution integrations
- XPRESSO supports on-demand, bundled, and scheduled execution using Jenkins and Docker backends.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Framework integrations
- Cisco documents community integrations with Ansible and out-of-the-box RobotFramework support.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Genie libraries
- Genie provides device connectivity, parsers, APIs, platform-agnostic feature models, reusable test cases, and a YAML-driven test runner.checked 29 Sep 2026
- License and code
- Cisco says pyATS is free under Apache 2.0 and that more than 75% of its codebase is open source on GitHub.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Cisco pyATS is a Python framework for network testing, automation, and validation.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Recent security change
- The August 2026 release added credential redaction to help protect sensitive values in logs and reports.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Reusable tests
- The framework supports data-driven reusable tests that can scale from simple cases to complex asynchronous test suites.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Support
- The development team provides best-effort email support and usually responds within a day; Cisco invites inquiries about dedicated support and SLAs.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Support data
- Cisco says information provided in logs for support will not be shared outside the support team without explicit approval.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Testing
- It supports sanity, feature, solution, system, and scale test and verification automation.checked 29 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Network devices
- Built-in libraries support Cisco IOS, IOS XE, IOS XR, NX-OS, and ASA, with additional platforms possible through plugins and extensions.checked 29 Sep 2026
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