Welcome to Introduction to Python Network Automation Volume I: Laying the Groundwork. In this first part of our comprehensive guide, you'll embark on a transformative journey into the world of network automation. Whether you're new to the IT field or seeking to strengthen your existing skills, this book serves as your roadmap to mastering the foundational skills essential for success in network automation. You'll begin your exploration by delving into the fundamentals of Python network automation, laying a solid foundation for your learning journey. Equipped with essential Python skills, you'll leverage them for network administration tasks, particularly on the Windows platform. Reinforce your understanding through targeted exercises designed to enhance your proficiency and navigate the complexities of VMware Workstation as you master virtualization techniques crucial for setting up your network automation environment. You’ll then venture into Linux fundamentals, learning to set up and configure server environments tailored for network automation tasks while gaining a deep understanding of file systems and TCPIP services in Linux. Explore the power of regular expressions as you streamline network automation tasks with precision and efficiency. For IT engineers and developers, network managers and students, who would like to learn network automation using Python.