stuart.py

#!/usr/bin/env python3

from ncclient.manager import connect_ssh

# use unencrypted keys from ssh-agent or ~/.ssh keys, and rely on known_hosts
with connect_ssh("192.168.3.3", username="stuart") as manager:
    assert(":url" in manager.server_capabilities)
    with manager.locked("running"):
        # create a new checkpoint
        manager.copy_config(source="running", target="file:///new_checkpoint.conf")
        # load an old checkpoint
        manager.copy_config(source="file:///old_checkpoint.conf", target="running")
    # dispatch a command
    manager.dispatch('clear-arp-table')
    # commit
    manager.commit()