Using Check Point with Ansible: Community interest survey

[Duane_Toler]

Hey CheckMates!

I’ve been working on building a video series for using automation tools like Ansible with Check Point APIs including the management API and Gaia API. I have a general outline built but I’d love to get your input to help give it more shape! I’m very curious to learn how much you are interested in such a series plus what topics you’d like to see covered.

I’ve made an Interest Survey available where you can provide your opinions anonymously.  NO PERSONAL INFORMATION WILL BE COLLECTED, even if you are logged into your Google account (I disabled that option on the form).  This survey and video series is neither affiliated with, nor sponsored by, Check Point and Check Mates.  This is an independent project that I’m doing to contribute back to the community that has helped me so much over the years.

After a couple of weeks, I’ll post the aggregated results of the survey back to Check Mates (no personal comments included).  Thank you for time and I look forward to everyone’s comments!

https://forms.gle/gvsSLciW3vpNGFxPA

This project is designed for you, but to get started, here’s a little bit about me:

I’m Duane from North Carolina and I’ve been in IT for nearly 30 years.  My first IT job included a firewall product named Check Point Firewall-1 on Windows NT. I later got my first CCSA and CCSE on Check Point Firewall-1 v4.0.  Eventually I earned my CCSM with MDS and VSX plus CCAS for automation specialist.  My other certifications include network routing, switching, design, and additional security products.  Over these many years, I’ve taught myself programming and scripting in several languages.  I’ve leaned into my love for lifelong learning and applied that to every project for every customer.

I’ve been doing some form of automation for my entire IT lifetime.  My general automation ethos comes down to:  I’ll do something no more than three times.  First, to learn it; Second, to prove the design and collect information to automate it; Third, to verify the process to write a script and automate it.  This leaves me free to grow my skills and help others learn what I’ve learned from those who came before me and gave me opportunities.

Thanks!

[Bob_Zimmerman]

I, personally, prefer written documentation by a huge, HUGE margin. Can't stand how everything is videos now, all based on outright lies Facebook told people.

[Duane_Toler]

Good info! Thanks for the suggestion. Would you prefer long form content for something like this?  I’ve had this kind of idea in my head, too.

[the_rock]

I will say, I have absolutely zero knowledge of Ansible, but I would love to learn and what you described sounds amazing. Personally, videos are totally okay with me. Btw, filled out the survey like you posted.

AMAZING post @Duane_Toler 

Andy

[Duane_Toler]

Thanks! I appreciate the response.  I got a few more roll in as well.  Looking forward to seeing what others think, too!  Can't wait to aggregate all this and share it back soon.

So far responses are all over the place, which is great! That means there's definitely some interest.

[the_rock]

Not to sound philosophical now, but life is about learning, so no matter how big or small info may seem, it can always be valuable. I always think when I was a kid in elementary school in eastern Europe and someone mentioned once out of the blue that Sun has 120 times bigger radius than Earth. Well, guess what...the fact I remembered that made me 50$ while ago, haha. So, knowledge is power 🙂

Andy

[Duane_Toler]

Nice!  Always good to have that trivia in the pocket.  It's not always "useless knowledge".

After your comment, a few other survey responses came in and again quite a wide spread of topics and some comments.  Looking forward to a few more.  So far, no one thinks automation is a serious threat (only a couple of responses responded "Somewhat, but also creates opportunities").

Keep 'em coming, everyone! Thanks!

[the_rock]

I would not really say automation is any sort of threat, I would more call it "nice to know", if you will.

Andy

[PhoneBoy]

I remember when FireWall-1 2.1 came out...the first version to run on Windows NT. 🙂
I also used to teach CCSA/CCSE back in those days.

[the_rock]

I would come to Phoneboy class any time 🙂

Andy

[Duane_Toler]

Hey all... survey still open and I'll leave it open for a while long.  If you haven't had a moment to offer your thoughts, now's your chance (and for the U.S. folks, hopefully your turkey-induced amnesia as worn off! 😆).  You're also welcome to send any specific comments or questions via private message if you have additional thoughts.

So far, the general stats show that most folks are somewhat-to-very familiar with Ansible automation, but haven't really used it for working with the Check Point management server.

Here is a portion of the results so far:  

Thank you to everyone who has responded so far!

[the_rock]

I will say, here in Canada, we never need excuse to wait for Txgiving to eat turkey lol 🤣🤣

Anyway, great responses @Duane_Toler 

Andy