netconf-client
A Python NETCONF client
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. The package is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, supports current Python versions, and offers a simpler alternative to heavier NETCONF libraries when you need straightforward SSH/TLS communication with standards-compliant devices. Install friction is low and the Apache-2.0 license is permissive. Best suited for teams comfortable with NETCONF protocol basics and RFC-compliant device behavior.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires a NETCONF server listening on the target host (typically port 830) and valid credentials; Python 3.8 or later.
- Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel distribution.
- Actively maintained with a recent release (79 days ago) and current Python version support (3.8–3.11).
License · maintenance · safety
Apache-2.0 (permissive) — Apache-2.0 is a permissive license; you may use, modify, and distribute this package freely in commercial and private projects, provided you include a copy of the license and note any material changes.
last release 2026-05-27 (79 days) · last repo commit 2026-05-27 · 16 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 107,735 downloads/mo, #12,600 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install netconf-client
from netconf_client.connect import connect_ssh
from netconf_client.ncclient import Manager
session = connect_ssh(host="localhost", port=830, username="admin", password="password")
mgr = Manager(session, timeout=120)
print(mgr.get(filter="...").data_xml)- Whether lxml can actually be bypassed in practice and what the performance implications are.
- Extent of error checking differences versus ncclient and whether that matters for your use case.
- Whether TLS session support is production-ready or still experimental.
What it is and what it does
netconf_client is a lightweight NETCONF protocol client for Python that communicates with network devices and management systems over SSH or TLS. It provides a Manager interface to send NETCONF RPC messages (edit_config, get, etc.) and receive XML responses, making it suitable for automating device configuration and state retrieval in network operations workflows.
The library is intentionally simpler than some alternatives, with a smaller codebase and fewer dependencies. It assumes you are sending valid NETCONF messages to a compliant server, which means less defensive error checking but also less overhead and fewer workarounds for non-standard device behavior. It depends on lxml for XML handling and paramiko for SSH transport.
Use it for
- Automate configuration changes on NETCONF-compliant network devices (routers, switches, firewalls) via SSH.
- Query device state and operational data from network management systems using NETCONF get and get-config operations.
- Build network provisioning or remediation scripts that interact with standards-based device APIs.
- Test NETCONF server implementations by sending raw or edge-case protocol messages.
- Integrate device management into Python-based orchestration or monitoring platforms.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
The package is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, supports current Python versions, and offers a simpler alternative to heavier NETCONF libraries when you need straightforward SSH/TLS communication with standards-compliant devices. Install friction is low and the Apache-2.0 license is permissive. Best suited for teams comfortable with NETCONF protocol basics and RFC-compliant device behavior.
Install
netconf-client on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel distribution. Actively maintained with a recent release (79 days ago) and current Python version support (3.8–3.11). Two lightweight runtime dependencies (lxml and paramiko) are well-established libraries.
Requires a NETCONF server listening on the target host (typically port 830) and valid credentials; Python 3.8 or later.
License in practice
Apache-2.0 is a permissive license; you may use, modify, and distribute this package freely in commercial and private projects, provided you include a copy of the license and note any material changes.
Quickstart
pip install netconf-client
from netconf_client.connect import connect_ssh
from netconf_client.ncclient import Manager
session = connect_ssh(host="localhost", port=830, username="admin", password="password")
mgr = Manager(session, timeout=120)
print(mgr.get(filter="...").data_xml)Verify before relying
- Whether lxml can actually be bypassed in practice and what the performance implications are.
- Extent of error checking differences versus ncclient and whether that matters for your use case.
- Whether TLS session support is production-ready or still experimental.
Package facts
| License | Apache-2.0 permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release <4.0,>=3.8 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 2 packageslxmlparamiko |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 79 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 107,735 / month, #12,600 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: Telecommunications IndustryLicense :: OSI Approved :: Apache Software LicenseOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9 |
Evidence: netconf_client-3.6.0-py3-none-any.whl
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See also ncclient · netconf-console2 · scrapli · sshconf · yang.connector · netmiko · pynetbox · rest.connector · netapp-ontap