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Cisco pyATS
What it is
Cisco pyATS is a free 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 test runner. Built-in libraries support Cisco IOS, IOS XE, IOS XR, NX-OS, and ASA; plugins and extensions can add other platforms. Device 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 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 available under the Apache 2.0 license, and Cisco says more than 75% of its codebase is open source on GitHub. It runs on Linux and macOS and can be self-hosted. Best-effort email support usually receives a response within a day.
For and against
For
- Free under the Apache 2.0 license
- Supports CLI, NETCONF, and RESTCONF connections
- XPRESSO supports scheduled execution with Jenkins and Docker
- Runs on Linux and macOS
Against
- Built-in device libraries focus on listed Cisco platforms
- Email support is best-effort
- Dedicated support and SLAs require inquiry
The verdict
Cisco pyATS combines network test automation with device libraries and XPRESSO test management. It is free and self-hosted, with best-effort email support from the development team.
Who it suits
pyATS may suit network teams that need reusable tests and validation across supported Cisco devices. It can also fit teams that want self-hosted tooling and test orchestration through XPRESSO.
Plans and prices
pyATS
Free of charge · Apache 2.0 license
Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com
On the record
- Company history
- Cisco states it was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.cisco.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Connection protocols
- Device connections can use CLI, NETCONF, or RESTCONF.developer.cisco.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Dashboard
- XPRESSO manages test suites, environments, testbeds, resources, live test views, and archived results with comparisons and analytics.developer.cisco.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Execution integrations
- XPRESSO supports on-demand, bundled, and scheduled execution using Jenkins and Docker backends.developer.cisco.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Framework integrations
- Cisco documents community integrations with Ansible and out-of-the-box RobotFramework support.developer.cisco.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Genie libraries
- Genie provides device connectivity, parsers, APIs, platform-agnostic feature models, reusable test cases, and a YAML-driven test runner.developer.cisco.com · read 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.developer.cisco.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Network devices
- Built-in libraries support Cisco IOS, IOS XE, IOS XR, NX-OS, and ASA, with additional platforms possible through plugins and extensions.developer.cisco.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Cisco pyATS is a Python framework for network testing, automation, and validation.developer.cisco.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Recent security change
- The August 2026 release added credential redaction to help protect sensitive values in logs and reports.developer.cisco.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Reusable tests
- The framework supports data-driven reusable tests that can scale from simple cases to complex asynchronous test suites.developer.cisco.com · read 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.developer.cisco.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Support data
- Cisco says information provided in logs for support will not be shared outside the support team without explicit approval.developer.cisco.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Testing
- It supports sanity, feature, solution, system, and scale test and verification automation.developer.cisco.com · read 29 Sep 2026
