BLOG | Aug 5, 2025

From CLI to NQE: Scaling Network Operations for Maximum Efficiency

Manual CLI workflows are a bottleneck for modern network operations. Discover how Forward Networks’ Network Query Engine (NQE) streamlines tasks, enhances visibility, and empowers teams to operate with greater efficiency and precision.

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Arica Beckstead Customer Success Engineer

Who should read this post?

Network and security teams transitioning from CLI-driven workflows
Teams optimizing device data extraction and automation
IT leaders enhancing troubleshooting and proactive issue resolution

What is covered in this content?

A breakdown of traditional CLI limitations
How NQE replaces manual device commands with scalable, accurate network queries
Business value and technical examples of NQE in action
Steps to get started with NQE in the Forward community

From CLI to NQE: Why It Matters

For many network and security teams, operational efficiency isn’t just desirable—it’s essential. Unfortunately, outdated CLI-based workflows often hinder teams from achieving agility, scalability, and accuracy.

Enter Forward Networks’ NQE. This powerful tool enables operators to automate routine checks, streamline data extraction, and access actionable insights across the entire network. It’s not just a time-saver—it’s a transformation.

Business Value: NQE’s Impact on Ops

NQE aligns with business-critical goals by delivering:

Efficiency Gains – Replace hours of manual CLI work with network-wide queries executed in seconds.
Cost Savings – Automate audits and reduce manual effort, freeing teams to focus on strategic tasks.
Risk Reduction – Catch misconfigurations early with automated compliance checks.
Scalability – Manage thousands of devices without increasing headcount or effort.

NQE allows teams to shift from reactive troubleshooting to proactive network management, turning operations into a competitive advantage.

Real-World Use Case: Simplifying VLAN Queries

Before NQE, engineers ran repetitive show commands across countless devices, copying and pasting data into spreadsheets.

With NQE, a single query unlocks structured, real-time data from your entire network. For example, checking access VLANs:

pattern = '''
interface {name:string}
 switchport access vlan {vlan:number}
''';

foreach device in network.devices
foreach interface in blockMatches (device.files.config, pattern}
select {
    interface: interface.data.name,
    "Access Vlan": interface./data.vlan
}

The result? Instant visibility—no spreadsheets, no logins, no errors. And with API integration, you can connect results directly to Power BI, Splunk, or custom dashboards.

Getting Started with NQE

You don’t need to be a query expert to start using NQE effectively. Many teams begin with simple but impactful tasks like:

Identifying unused open ports
Pulling BGP network statements
Checking interface operational status

Forward’s community and Customer Success team are here to help. With step by step training videos, community walkthroughs and practical examples, your team can confidently migrate from CLI to NQE.

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