NETCONF vs RESTCONF – Choosing the Right Protocol for Network Automation [CCNP ENTERPRISE]

Today I want to talk about something that every aspiring network automation engineer must know — the difference between NETCONF and RESTCONF. If you’ve been tinkering with Python scripts or exploring tools like Ansible and Postman, you’ve probably stumbled upon these terms.

But here’s the catch — understanding just the definitions isn’t enough. You need to understand when to use which, how they work under the hood, and most importantly, how they plug into your real-world automation workflow. So, let’s get started and break it down the NetworkJourney way — with clarity, labs, and hands-on practicality.

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Theory in Brief

What is NETCONF?

NETCONF (Network Configuration Protocol) is an XML-based protocol developed by the IETF to allow network devices to be managed programmatically. It operates over SSH, and it’s tightly coupled with YANG data models. Think of it as an evolution of CLI automation — but structured, standardized, and vendor-agnostic.

NETCONF allows you to retrieve configurations, push changes, and even perform transaction-based config edits (like commit and rollback). It’s designed for complex, stateful configuration management and is supported widely in enterprise-grade routers and switches.

What is RESTCONF?

RESTCONF is a newer protocol that exposes YANG data models over a RESTful interface — making it ideal for web-style APIs and integration with tools like Postman or Python’s requests module. It uses HTTP(S) and supports both XML and JSON (though JSON is the favorite due to its simplicity).

While RESTCONF might seem “lighter,” it’s highly effective for simple CRUD operations — Create, Read, Update, Delete — on YANG-modeled configuration data.

When to Use NETCONF or RESTCONF?

• If you want fine-grained control, transactional safety, or mass configuration changes, go with NETCONF.
• If you’re building quick API integrations, dashboard applications, or working in an HTTP-native environment, RESTCONF is your friend.

Let’s summarize this in a clean tabular format.

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NETCONF vs RESTCONF – Comparison

Feature	NETCONF	RESTCONF
Protocol Transport	SSH	HTTP/HTTPS
Data Encoding	XML	XML/JSON (JSON preferred)
Data Modeling	YANG	YANG
CRUD Operations	Yes	Yes
Transactional Support	Yes (commit/rollback)	Limited
Interface Style	RPC-based	RESTful
Security	Built-in with SSH	Uses HTTPS for secure transport
Complexity	More complex due to XML & sessions	Simpler & web-friendly
Tools Support	ncclient, Ansible, Cisco NSO	Postman, curl, Python requests
Use Cases	Deep configuration management	Lightweight APIs & dashboard apps

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Essential CLI Commands

Purpose	CLI Command or Tool	Notes
Enable NETCONF on Cisco Device	netconf-yang	Global config mode
Verify NETCONF Status	show netconf-yang status	Shows if NETCONF is enabled
Enable RESTCONF	restconf	Global config mode
Verify RESTCONF	`show running-config	include restconf`
View YANG Models	show yang models	Available YANG models on device
Debug RESTCONF Requests	debug restconf	For troubleshooting RESTCONF
Debug NETCONF Sessions	debug netconf-yang	For monitoring NETCONF RPCs

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Real-World Use Case

Use Case	NETCONF	RESTCONF
Automating VLAN provisioning	Yes, with full transaction support	Yes, quick CRUD over HTTP
Ansible Playbooks for interfaces	Strong with NETCONF modules	Works with REST API modules
Config backups & rollback	Fully supported	Not natively supported
Integration with Web Portals	Complex, needs XML parsing	Easy with JSON APIs
DevNet Sandbox Automation	Widely used in structured workflows	Great for quick prototyping and testing

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SMALL EVE-NG LAB – NETCONF & RESTCONF Configuration

Lab Topology

• Router1 – Cisco IOS XE Device (v17+)
• PC – Postman, Python, or Ansible-ready system

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Router1 Configuration

! Enable NETCONF
Router1(config)# netconf-yang

! Enable RESTCONF
Router1(config)# restconf

! Enable HTTP & Secure Server
Router1(config)# ip http secure-server
Router1(config)# ip http authentication local
Router1(config)# username admin privilege 15 password cisco123

! Verify
Router1# show netconf-yang status
Router1# show running-config | include restconf
Router1# show ip http server status

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Testing RESTCONF with Postman

• GET Interfaces:
  GET https://<router-ip>/restconf/data/ietf-interfaces:interfaces
  Headers:
  • Accept: application/yang-data+json
  • Authorization: Basic <base64-encoded-credentials>
• Modify Hostname via NETCONF (Python + ncclient):

from ncclient import manager

with manager.connect(host='10.10.10.1', port=830, username='admin',
                     password='cisco123', hostkey_verify=False) as m:
    config = '''
    <config>
      <native xmlns="http://cisco.com/ns/yang/Cisco-IOS-XE-native">
        <hostname>NETCONF-Router</hostname>
      </native>
    </config>
    '''
    m.edit_config(target='running', config=config)

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Troubleshooting Tips

Problem	Troubleshooting Tip	Command or Tool
NETCONF not working	Ensure SSH is enabled and port 830 is open	`show run
RESTCONF API returns 401 Unauthorized	Check credentials and ensure basic auth is allowed	Use base64 encoding for username:password
Postman error – certificate issue	Use “Disable SSL Verification” in Postman	Or upload self-signed cert to trust store
Python ncclient fails to connect	Confirm port 830 is reachable from client	Use telnet <ip> 830
YANG model errors	Ensure you’re using the correct model + namespace	show yang models

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Most Common FAQs

1. What is the main difference between NETCONF and RESTCONF?

Answer:
NETCONF (Network Configuration Protocol) and RESTCONF (RESTful Configuration Protocol) both serve the purpose of network device configuration and management.
The key difference lies in how they communicate:

• NETCONF uses XML over SSH and provides more powerful transaction capabilities with features like locks, candidate configurations, and rollbacks.
• RESTCONF uses HTTP/HTTPS with REST-style operations, supporting both XML and JSON, making it more aligned with modern web development and automation tools.

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2. Why should I choose RESTCONF over NETCONF for network automation?

Answer:
Choose RESTCONF if:

• You’re working with tools or systems that favor HTTP-based APIs.
• You prefer working with JSON, which is easier to parse and more lightweight than XML.
• You need faster integration with web services or DevOps tools (e.g., Postman, Ansible, Python Requests).
  RESTCONF offers a simpler and more modern interface, especially useful in cloud-native or web-centric automation workflows.

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3. Which protocol provides better security — NETCONF or RESTCONF?

Answer:
Both NETCONF and RESTCONF offer robust security, but their mechanisms differ:

• NETCONF is inherently secure since it runs exclusively over SSH, which ensures encryption, integrity, and authentication.
• RESTCONF relies on HTTPS (TLS) for security. While it’s secure, it requires proper certificate management and HTTPS configuration.
  So, in terms of default secure transport, NETCONF has a slight edge.

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4. Is it true that NETCONF is more mature than RESTCONF?

Answer:
Yes, NETCONF is more mature, having been standardized in RFC 6241 (2011), whereas RESTCONF was standardized later in RFC 8040 (2017).
NETCONF is widely used in service provider environments and has deep support for complex operations, such as configuration rollbacks and session locks, which RESTCONF lacks.
However, RESTCONF is gaining popularity fast in enterprise environments due to its simplicity and compatibility with modern programming tools.

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5. Can I use both NETCONF and RESTCONF on the same Cisco device?

Answer:
Yes, many Cisco devices support both NETCONF and RESTCONF simultaneously, especially IOS XE-based platforms.
You can enable them independently using the following commands:

router(config)# netconf-yang
router(config)# restconf

This flexibility allows developers or network engineers to choose the protocol that fits their toolchain or use case better.

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6. What role do YANG models play in both NETCONF and RESTCONF?

Answer:
YANG is a data modeling language used by both NETCONF and RESTCONF.
It defines the structure of configuration and operational data.

• With NETCONF, YANG is essential for defining XML-based data structures.
• With RESTCONF, YANG models are exposed as RESTful endpoints, making the data accessible via URLs.
  In essence, YANG is the foundation, while NETCONF and RESTCONF are the protocols that transport and manipulate the modeled data.

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7. Which protocol is better suited for transactional configuration changes?

Answer:
NETCONF is the preferred choice for transactional operations.
It supports advanced features like:

• Candidate configuration
• Commit/rollback
• Configuration locking

These features help ensure atomic changes and avoid configuration conflicts, making NETCONF a better fit for mission-critical environments that demand consistency.

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8. What programming tools can I use to interact with NETCONF and RESTCONF?

Answer:
You can use various tools and libraries for both:

NETCONF:

• Python’s ncclient library
• Postman (limited)
• YANG Suite by Cisco
• CLI over SSH with XML payloads

RESTCONF:

• Python’s requests or httpx libraries
• Postman
• Curl or any HTTP client
• Ansible with REST API modules

RESTCONF has better support in tools that are already web API-native.

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9. Are there any performance differences between NETCONF and RESTCONF?

Answer:
Yes. In general, RESTCONF can be faster and more lightweight, especially when using JSON payloads instead of XML.
NETCONF’s reliance on XML and SSH may introduce higher overhead, especially on large-scale data retrieval.
That said, for complex configuration operations, NETCONF is more efficient due to its structured approach and session management capabilities.

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10. Which protocol is more likely to be future-proof — NETCONF or RESTCONF?

Answer:
Both protocols are here to stay, but their use cases may diverge:

• NETCONF will continue to dominate in carrier-grade environments, where rich configuration and rollback support is essential.
• RESTCONF is ideal for modern DevNet environments, enterprise automation, and toolchain integration.

Ultimately, the trend is toward REST-style APIs and JSON due to their compatibility with cloud, SDN, and microservices — meaning RESTCONF will likely see broader adoption in new deployments.

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YouTube Link

Watch the Complete CCNP Enterprise: NETCONF vs RESTCONF – Choosing the Right Protocol for Network Automation Lab Demo & Explanation on our channel:

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Final Note

Understanding how to differentiate and implement NETCONF vs RESTCONF – Choosing the Right Protocol for Network Automation 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:

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