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Nornir

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What Nornir is

Nornir is a free, open-source Python automation framework for managing inventory and dispatching tasks to nodes and devices. It is designed to be used directly from Python. Inventory is organized into hosts, groups and defaults; each task is reusable code for one host that accepts a Task and returns a Result. The included ThreadedRunner runs tasks across hosts using threads and defaults to 20 workers. Nornir supports plugins for inventory, transforms, connections, runners and processors, with community plugins for systems such as NAPALM, Netmiko, NetBox, Ansible inventories, Scrapli and Nautobot. OpsMill describes it as a multi-vendor execution engine with parallel writes, idempotence and dry-run safety. It supports configuration management, workflow orchestration and network testing, including platforms such as Cisco IOS, Cisco NX-OS, Arista EOS, Junos and Palo Alto PAN-OS. Nornir is published on PyPI and can be installed with pip; the current package requires Python 3.10 or later. It uses the Apache-2.0 license and is self-hosted. Users need basic Python knowledge and package installation skills.

Who it suits

Nornir suits users who can work with basic Python, install packages, and use variables, functions and imports. It is for teams automating tasks across network devices and nodes.

What it does well

  • Free and open source under Apache-2.0
  • ThreadedRunner defaults to 20 workers
  • Plugin support covers multiple extension points
  • Community plugins connect to network tools
  • Includes configuration management and network testing

What to know first

  • Requires Python 3.10 or later
  • Users need basic Python knowledge
  • Self-hosted deployment

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
Nornirfree forever · open source · Apache 2 license · public repositoriesFree

As nornir.readthedocs.io lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Use a Linux or macOS environment.
  2. Install Python 3.10 or later.
  3. Install Nornir from PyPI with pip install nornir.
  4. Create an inventory from hosts, groups, and defaults.
  5. Write a task for a host and run it with the ThreadedRunner.

Verdict

Nornir provides a Python-first way to manage inventory and run tasks across supported network platforms. Its direct use from Python makes basic programming and package-installation familiarity important.

Questions

How much does Nornir cost?

Nornir is free forever. Its listed plan is free.

Is Nornir open source?

Yes. Nornir is distributed under the Apache-2.0 license.

Which platforms does Nornir support?

The listed platforms are Linux and macOS. Supported network platforms include Cisco IOS, Cisco NX-OS, Arista EOS, Junos, and Palo Alto PAN-OS.

What does Nornir do?

It manages inventory and dispatches tasks to hosts and devices. Its listed use areas include configuration management, workflow orchestration, and network testing.

What is required to use Nornir?

The current PyPI package requires Python 3.10 or later. Users need basic Python knowledge and familiarity with installing packages, variables, functions, and imports.

Where can users get support?

Support channels include GitHub issues and discussions, the OpsMill Discord #nornir channel, and a monitored Network to Code Slack channel.

Facts from Nornir's own pages

Core responsibilities
Nornir manages inventory and dispatches tasks to nodes and devices. · nornir.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
Execution
The included ThreadedRunner executes tasks over hosts using threads and defaults to 20 workers. · nornir.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
Execution characteristics
OpsMill describes Nornir as a pure Python, multi-vendor execution engine with parallel writes, idempotence, and dry-run safety. · opsmill.com, 30 Sept 2026
Installation
Nornir is published to PyPI and can be installed with pip install nornir. · nornir.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
Integrations
Community plugins support NAPALM, Netmiko, NetBox, Ansible inventories, Scrapli, Nautobot, and other systems and libraries. · nornir.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
Intended users
Users need basic Python knowledge, package installation skills, and familiarity with variables, functions, and imports. · nornir.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
Inventory
The inventory consists of hosts, groups, and defaults. · nornir.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
License
Nornir is distributed under the Apache-2.0 license. · pypi.org, 30 Sept 2026
Plugin architecture
Nornir supports inventory plugins, transform functions, connection plugins, runners, and processors. · nornir.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
Project stewardship
OpsMill states that it stewards, funds, and maintains Nornir while keeping it community-led and open source. · opsmill.com, 30 Sept 2026
Python requirement
The current PyPI package requires Python >=3.10 and provides classifiers through Python 3.14. · pypi.org, 30 Sept 2026
Support
Official support channels include GitHub issues and discussions, the OpsMill Discord #nornir channel, and a monitored Network to Code Slack channel. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Task model
A task is reusable code for a single host that takes a Task and returns a Result. · nornir.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
What it does
Nornir is a pure Python automation framework intended to be used directly from Python. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026

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