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Cisco pyATS

developer.cisco.com

Free plan macOSLinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.2 #6 of 33 in Network Testing Software

What it is

Cisco pyATS is a Python framework for network testing, automation, and validation, available free under the Apache 2.0 license. It supports sanity, feature, solution, system, and scale test and verification workflows, with reusable data-driven tests ranging from simple checks 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 device libraries cover 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 supports on-demand, bundled, and scheduled runs through Jenkins and Docker backends. Cisco also documents Ansible community integrations and out-of-the-box RobotFramework support. pyATS runs on Linux and macOS and supports self-hosted deployment. Cisco says more than 75% of its codebase is open source on GitHub. Email support is best-effort and usually receives a reply within a day.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Cisco pyATS is a Python framework for network testing, automation, and validation.Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com
Support
The development team provides best-effort email support and usually responds within a day; Cisco invites inquiries about dedicated support and SLAs.Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com
Founded
2014Read 28 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com
Company history
Cisco states it was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.Read 29 Sep 2026 · cisco.com
Connection protocols
Device connections can use CLI, NETCONF, or RESTCONF.Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com
Dashboard
XPRESSO manages test suites, environments, testbeds, resources, live test views, and archived results with comparisons and analytics.Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com
Execution integrations
XPRESSO supports on-demand, bundled, and scheduled execution using Jenkins and Docker backends.Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com
Framework integrations
Cisco documents community integrations with Ansible and out-of-the-box RobotFramework support.Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com
Genie libraries
Genie provides device connectivity, parsers, APIs, platform-agnostic feature models, reusable test cases, and a YAML-driven test runner.Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com
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.Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com
Network devices
Built-in libraries support Cisco IOS, IOS XE, IOS XR, NX-OS, and ASA, with additional platforms possible through plugins and extensions.Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com
Recent security change
The August 2026 release added credential redaction to help protect sensitive values in logs and reports.Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com
Reusable tests
The framework supports data-driven reusable tests that can scale from simple cases to complex asynchronous test suites.Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com
Support data
Cisco says information provided in logs for support will not be shared outside the support team without explicit approval.Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com
Testing
It supports sanity, feature, solution, system, and scale test and verification automation.Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com

Plans and prices

pyATS Free Free of charge · Apache 2.0 license Read 29 Sep 2026 · developer.cisco.com

Every Cisco pyATS plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free under the Apache 2.0 license.
  • Supports CLI, NETCONF, and RESTCONF connections.
  • Reusable tests cover simple checks and asynchronous suites.
  • XPRESSO provides live views and archived-result comparisons.
  • Runs on Linux and macOS; self-hosted deployment is supported.

Limits

  • Built-in device libraries cover listed Cisco platforms.
  • Email support is best-effort, not dedicated.
  • Dedicated support and SLAs require inquiry.

Who it suits

It suits network teams that need reusable testing and validation workflows for Cisco devices, with room to extend platform coverage through plugins. Teams needing test orchestration can use XPRESSO with Jenkins or Docker backends.

Verdict

pyATS offers a free framework for network testing with reusable tests, device libraries, and test operations through XPRESSO. Its listed built-in device support centers on Cisco platforms, while other platforms may require plugins or extensions.

Where Specifiction places it

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