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Introduction

What is PAN-OS CLI?

PAN-OS CLI is a command-line interface tool designed to simplify the management of Palo Alto Networks firewalls and Panorama appliances. It provides a powerful yet intuitive interface for performing various configuration tasks without having to navigate the web interface.

Why Use PAN-OS CLI?

Managing Palo Alto Networks devices through the web interface can be time-consuming, especially when dealing with:

  • Bulk operations (creating multiple objects)
  • Repetitive tasks
  • Automation requirements
  • CI/CD integration

PAN-OS CLI addresses these challenges by providing a command-line tool that can be easily integrated into scripts, CI/CD pipelines, and other automation workflows.

Key Benefits

  • Automation: Easily automate common PAN-OS administrative tasks
  • Consistency: Ensure consistent configuration across multiple devices
  • Speed: Execute operations faster than through the web interface
  • Bulk Operations: Configure multiple objects at once using YAML files
  • Documentation as Code: Store your network configuration in version control
  • Integration: Include in scripts and automation frameworks

Architecture

PAN-OS CLI is built on top of the pan-os-python SDK and provides a high-level interface to the Palo Alto Networks XML API. The tool is designed with a modular structure that makes it easy to extend with new commands and functionality.

graph TD
    A[User Command] --> B[PAN-OS CLI]
    B --> C[pan-os-python SDK]
    C --> D[XML API]
    D --> E[PAN-OS Device]

Use Cases

  • DevOps Integration: Incorporate PAN-OS configurations into your CI/CD pipeline
  • Bulk Management: Quickly deploy multiple objects from a single YAML file
  • Audit and Compliance: Generate reports and validate configurations
  • Migration: Easily transfer configurations between devices
  • Automation: Build custom workflows and scripts leveraging the CLI