Data models are abstract entities that organize elements of the data and standardize how the elements relate to each other. Network engineers interact with data models indirectly on a daily basis, as they navigate a command line to change or retrieve information. Knowing the structure and capabilities of these data models is crucial to unlocking the maximum potential of these new digital-ready network devices. YANG is the common language that is used to describe the capabilities of network devices and to create data models. This module begins to explore YANG and how it is used.

"Yet Another Next Generation" (YANG) is a very sophisticated and sometimes daunting concept to learn. To understand it better, the open-source community and manufacturers like Cisco have created tools and environments that can help you better understand and use YANG. In this section, you will examine the tools that can be used to learn about, and ease the consumption of, YANG.

NETCONF and RESTCONF are programmatic interfaces for network devices that allow you to manage network infrastructure programmatically. Using YANG data models, NETCONF and RESTCONF provide a standardized way to programmatically read and modify the configuration data of a network device and perform general operations on networking devices.