Git and GitHub for Network Engineers – Version Control Made Easy [CCNP ENTERPRISE]

Today I want to share something that totally transformed the way I manage and automate my network configurations — Git and GitHub.

I still remember those days when I used to create backups of configs manually, store them in random folders, and name them like switch-config-final-revised-v3-final.txt . If that sounds familiar, then this blog is for YOU.

As a network engineer stepping into the automation era, using Git isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. Whether you’re working with Python scripts, Ansible playbooks, device configs, or even documentation, Git helps you track, collaborate, and version everything smartly. Let’s dive in!

---

Theory in Brief – Git & GitHub for Networking

What is Git?

Git is a version control system that helps you track changes to your files over time. It’s like a time machine for your code and configs. You can go back to any previous version, collaborate with others without fear of overwriting, and maintain a clean history of who changed what and why.

It works locally — you initialize a Git repo in your directory and start tracking changes (called commits). Git doesn’t require the internet; it’s fast and distributed.

---

What is GitHub?

GitHub is a cloud-based platform built on top of Git. It lets you store your Git repositories online, collaborate with teammates, manage issues, perform code reviews, and even automate testing via GitHub Actions. Think of GitHub as your team workspace and portfolio for automation work.

---

Why Should Network Engineers Care?

Because network automation = code, and when there’s code, there must be version control. Whether you’re managing:

• Python scripts to automate configs,
• Ansible playbooks to push VLANs,
• YAML files for templates,
• Device configuration backups…

Git helps you manage it all with clarity, safety, and collaboration.

---

Git Workflow (Simplified)

1. git init → Start tracking a folder.
2. git add → Stage changes.
3. git commit → Save the snapshot.
4. git push → Send to GitHub.
5. git pull → Sync from GitHub.
6. Create branches, merge changes, and track everything cleanly.

---

Git vs Traditional File Management – Comparison

Feature	Traditional File Saving	Git Version Control
Tracking Changes	Manual	Automatic and timestamped
Collaboration	File overwrites common	Merge-friendly branches
Version History	Folder chaos (final-v5.txt)	Clean, searchable logs
Rollback Capability	Difficult	One command
Backup	USBs, local storage	Cloud-based GitHub repo
Security & Access Control	Folder permissions	User roles, public/private repos
DevOps & Automation	Manual processes	Seamless CI/CD integration

---

Pros and Cons

Feature	Git & GitHub – Pros	Git & GitHub – Cons
Control	Full change tracking	Initial learning curve
Collaboration	Branching, Pull Requests	Can be confusing for beginners
Backup & Restore	Instant rollback	Needs setup
Integration	Works with CI/CD tools	GitHub requires internet
Public Portfolio	Great for job interviews	Must manage visibility (public/private repos)

---

Essential Git CLI Commands

Purpose	Command
Initialize repo	git init
Check current status	git status
Add file(s) to staging	git add filename.py or git add .
Commit staged changes	git commit -m "Added VLAN config script"
View commit history	git log
Link local repo to GitHub	git remote add origin <repo-url>
Push to GitHub	git push -u origin main
Pull latest changes	git pull
Create new branch	git checkout -b feature-vlan-automation
Merge branches	git merge feature-vlan-automation

---

Real-World Use Case – Git for Network Config Management

Scenario	Details
Organization	Large ISP with 200+ switches & routers
Problem	Engineers using manual config backups via FTP/tftp
Solution	Store all configs/scripts/playbooks in GitHub
Toolchain	Git + GitHub + Jenkins (CI/CD for automation validation)
Benefit	Rollback in seconds, shared config libraries, reduced config errors

---

EVE-NG Lab – Using Git for Automation Code

Lab Topology

---

Step-by-Step Lab Instructions

1. Install Git on Ubuntu Host

sudo apt update
sudo apt install git

2. Clone a Repo from GitHub

git clone https://github.com/networkjourney/vlan-automation.git
cd vlan-automation

3. Edit an Ansible Playbook

nano vlan.yml
# Add or modify VLAN configurations

4. Track & Commit the Change

git status
git add vlan.yml
git commit -m "Updated VLANs for new branch office"

5. Push to GitHub

git push origin main

Now your configs are versioned, backed up, and can be rolled back instantly.

---

BONUS: Config Snapshot via Git

Backup switch config and push it to GitHub:

ssh admin@switch "show running-config" > switch-config.txt
git add switch-config.txt
git commit -m "Backup: switch config on July 5"
git push origin main

---

Troubleshooting Tips

Issue	Cause	Solution
git: command not found	Git not installed	Run sudo apt install git
Cannot push to GitHub	Wrong remote or no permission	Check repo URL and SSH key setup
Merge conflicts	Changes on same lines in multiple branches	Manually edit and git commit after resolving
Authentication failed	Wrong credentials or 2FA without token	Use personal access token on GitHub
Repo not linked	Forgot git remote add origin	Add remote and push again

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why should network engineers learn Git and GitHub?

Answer:
Traditionally, network engineers managed configs manually or with spreadsheets. However, with the rise of automation and infrastructure as code (IaC), version control is essential. Git helps track changes in code/config files, collaborate with team members, and roll back to previous versions when needed. GitHub acts as a central cloud repository that allows seamless sharing, collaboration, and backup of network automation scripts or templates.

---

2. What’s the difference between Git and GitHub?

Answer:

• Git is a local version control system that tracks changes to files on your machine.
• GitHub is a cloud-based hosting platform for Git repositories, enabling sharing, collaboration, and integration with CI/CD tools.

Think of Git as your personal notebook, and GitHub as the online library where you publish and collaborate.

---

3. How can Git be used in a network automation workflow?

Answer:
In a network automation project, Git helps manage:

• Ansible playbooks
• Python scripts
• Network topology diagrams
• Jinja2 templates
• YANG/JSON files

Using Git, you can:

• Track every change made to these files.
• Collaborate with teammates using branches and pull requests.
• Revert to stable configurations in case of failure.
• Ensure compliance and consistency across environments.

---

4. What are some basic Git commands a network engineer must know?

Answer:

Command	Description
git init	Initialize a Git repository
git add .	Stage all changes
git commit -m "message"	Commit changes with a message
git status	View file status in repo
git log	View commit history
git push	Push local commits to GitHub
git pull	Fetch and merge updates from GitHub
git clone	Clone a remote repo to local

These are enough to get started with version control.

---

5. How do branches help in GitHub for network projects?

Answer:
Branches in GitHub allow you to:

• Create isolated workspaces for developing new features or trying experimental configurations.
• Prevent breaking the main code base.
• Review and test changes before merging via pull requests.

Example: You can have a dev branch to test a new VLAN automation playbook while keeping main stable for production.

---

6. Is GitHub free to use for network automation projects?

Answer:
Yes. GitHub offers free accounts that support:

• Unlimited public and private repositories.
• Collaboration with team members.
• Access to GitHub Actions for basic CI/CD.

This makes it ideal for small teams, personal learning, or DevNet certification practice projects.

---

7. How do I back up and share my Ansible or Python automation scripts using GitHub?

Answer:

1. Create a GitHub repository (public or private).
2. Push your local files using Git: bashCopyEditgit init git add . git commit -m "Initial commit" git remote add origin https://github.com/yourusername/repo.git git push -u origin main
3. Share the GitHub repo link with peers or use it in your job portfolio.

It becomes your centralized code vault—always accessible and versioned.

---

8. Can GitHub help with collaboration in network teams?

Answer:
Absolutely! GitHub supports:

• Pull Requests: To review and approve changes before merging.
• Issue Tracking: To document bugs or feature requests.
• Wiki & README: To explain network design, topology, or automation logic.
• Action Logs: So teams can trace who changed what and when.

This makes collaboration smoother and introduces DevOps-style teamwork in network engineering.

---

9. How does Git/GitHub fit into the DevNet certification and job roles?

Answer:
Cisco DevNet curriculum emphasizes software development workflows, and Git is a core DevOps tool. Understanding Git and GitHub prepares you for roles like:

• Network Automation Engineer
• DevNet Associate/Professional
• Infrastructure Developer
  You’ll use Git in projects involving CI/CD pipelines, NetDevOps practices, and network as code approaches.

---

10. Are there GUI tools or IDEs that simplify Git for network engineers?

Answer:
Yes. You don’t need to be a command-line expert to use Git. Tools like:

• Visual Studio Code (with Git integration)
• GitHub Desktop
• Sourcetree
• GitKraken
  make it easier to visualize commits, branches, diffs, and merge conflicts. These tools are beginner-friendly and useful for managing YAML, Python, and other automation files.

---

YouTube Video Link

Watch the Complete CCNP Enterprise: Git and GitHub for Network Engineers – Version Control Made Easy Lab Demo & Explanation on our channel:

---

Final Note

Understanding how to differentiate and implement Git and GitHub for Network Engineers – Version Control Made Easy Protocols is critical for anyone pursuing CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) certification or working in enterprise network roles. Use this guide in your practice labs, real-world projects, and interviews to show a solid grasp of architectural planning and CLI-level configuration skills.

If you found this article helpful and want to take your skills to the next level, I invite you to join my Instructor-Led Weekend Batch for:

CCNP Enterprise to CCIE Enterprise – Covering ENCOR, ENARSI, SD-WAN, and more!

Get hands-on labs, real-world projects, and industry-grade training that strengthens your Routing & Switching foundations while preparing you for advanced certifications and job roles.

Email: info@networkjourney.com
WhatsApp / Call: +91 97395 21088

Upskill now and future-proof your networking career!

---