Network device command line interfaces

Mon Nov 28 18:32:53 UTC 2011

Ray Soucy <rps at maine.edu> wrote:

>One of the biggest benefits to a CLI is the ability to easily script
>tasks.
> In a Cisco environment I can roll out major changes to hundreds of
>switches in seconds, for example.
>
>A lot of network vendors have been trying to make network devices more
>simple and easier to use while the complexity of networking has gone
>up.
>Seems like the wrong direction to me.  If someone wants a managed
>switch,
>they probably intend to manage it.
>
>I think a big key to the success of Cisco (and Juniper, etc) has been
>that
>they "get it" in this respect.
>
>Even companies like Vyatta have invested time in a Web UI rather than
>expanding the core functionality offered (multicast routing support,
>for
>example), which doesn't seem like the best idea.
>
>On Wed, Nov 23, 2011 at 11:41 PM, Jonathon Exley <
>Jonathon.Exley at kordia.co.nz> wrote:
>
>> Does anyone else despair at the CLIs produced by networking vendors?
>> Real routers use a CLI that is command based, like IOS, TiMOS or
>Junos.
>> These interfaces work well over low bandwidth connections (unlike web
>> interfaces), can work with config backup systems like RANCID, have a
>> (mostly) consistent structure and good show commands.
>> However vendors of low cost routers/switches/muxes seem to take a
>stab in
>> the dark and produce some really nasty stuff. I have a personal hate
>of
>> text based menus and binary config backup files.
>> Doe this p*** off anyone else? The business part of the company says
>"This
>> device is great! It's cheap and does everything." However the poor
>sap who
>> is given the task to make it work has to wrestle with a badly
>designed user
>> interface and illogical syntax.
>> Maybe the vendors need some sort of best practices guide for what
>> manageability features their kit needs to support to make them
>acceptable
>> to the market. Does anyone know if there is anything along these
>lines?
>>
>>
>> Jonathon.
>>
>>
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>
>
>
>-- 
>Ray Soucy
>
>Epic Communications Specialist
>
>Phone: +1 (207) 561-3526
>
>Networkmaine, a Unit of the University of Maine System
>http://www.networkmaine.net/

If you've done a proper CLI, you can easily do a good REST API. If you've done that a good Web GUI is possible. 

It doesn't work the other way round.

-- 
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