Visual Parser utilizes NetBrain-specific grammar to transform plain text (such as device CLI command output, SNMP output, or configuration file text) into programmable variables, enabling "What you see is what you can program" with minimal or no coding. It enables network engineers familiar with parsing grammar to parse configuration files, CLI command output, SNMP output, and API output, thereby resolving most automation issues.

Auto Parser and Add-on Parser

Auto Parser simplifies the parser definition process by allowing parser definitions to be initiated directly through word selections in the left pane, without the need to manually choose a parser pattern. The system automatically determines the appropriate parser type (Single or Multiple) based on the input.

An Add-on Parser is defined based on a selected parser pattern, which determines the parser definition UI displayed in the right pane. 

Defining Visual Parser

The Visual Parser UI Editor consists of several functional areas, as illustrated by the Paragraph Parser UI.

The general flow of the Parser definition is as follows:

1. Define basic Parser information.
2. Define Parser Qualification in the Qualification and Test area.
3. Select the data source in the Data Source area and retrieve sample text from the command output or device configuration in the Command and Device area. The retrieved sample text of command output or device configuration is displayed in the Parser Input area.
   
4. Double-click a variable or select several words from the Parser Input area to enter auto parser mode, then a line pattern will be automatically created. The parser pattern will be automatically determined in this step. 
5. Confirm the auto parser definitions.
6. Continue to create the line pattern in the add-on parser mode: Double-click or select a line of text where the target variable resides in the Parser Input area, and the corresponding line pattern will be created based on the selected variable.
7. Edit line patterns to define variables and preview the parsed result in the Output area.
8. Define more formats for the parser.
9. Save the parser.
   

   Tip: See Parser Discovery to learn how to find and request a Parser effectively.