# Network APIs and NETCONF/RESTCONF

> Master modern network automation using RESTCONF and NETCONF to interact with structured data models, bypass CLI limitations, and enforce secure infrastructure as code.

Canonical: https://codelivly.com/rooms/network-apis-and-netconfrestconf
Last updated: 2026-09-05

| | |
|---|---|
| Level | Advanced |
| Category | Networking |
| Lessons | 4 |
| Estimated time | 30 min |
| XP | 200 |

This module transitions learners from legacy CLI screen-scraping to modern, programmatic network automation using RESTCONF and NETCONF. You will explore the foundational concepts of YANG data models, understand the architectural differences between RESTCONF (RESTful/HTTP/JSON) and NETCONF (RPC/XML), and learn how to leverage these APIs for robust configuration management and operational telemetry. From a cybersecurity perspective, APIs eliminate the fragility of CLI parsing but introduce new attack surfaces, such as exposed API endpoints and insecure data model manipulation. You will discover how defenders use APIs to build resilient, model-driven automation pipelines, while understanding how attackers exploit misconfigured API access and weak authentication to bypass traditional network security controls.

## Lessons

1. What Are Network APIs and Why Do They Matter (30 min)
2. REST APIs for Network Devices (30 min)
3. NETCONF & YANG Data Models (30 min)
4. Guided Lab: Querying Device State via RESTCONF (30 min)

## Related

- [Learning path: Network Automation & Scripting](https://codelivly.com/learning-paths/network-automation-scripting)
- [All rooms](https://codelivly.com/rooms)