The Art of Network Engineering

Send us a textBeyond the sundecks and buffet lines lies a technological marvel most cruise passengers never consider - the complex network infrastructure keeping these floating cities connected and operational. In this fascinating conversation with Will Robbins, we dive deep into the unique challenges and solutions of maritime networking that blend hospitality technology with critical operational systems.Have you ever wondered how thousands of cruisers can simultaneously post vacation photos from the middle of the ocean? Modern cruise ships deploy an impressive array of connectivity solutions - up to 15 separate connections including both traditional satellites and multiple Starlink antennas working in concert. This connectivity ballet must account for both the ship and satellites being in constant motion while managing variable weather conditions. The reduced latency of Starlink connections (150-250ms versus 500ms) has revolutionized the passenger experience, enabling video calls and remote work capabilities that were previously impossible.What surprises most network professionals is the scale of onboard infrastructure. Each vessel houses a complete data center with 10-15 racks of equipment supporting everything from guest services to critical ship operations. These floating data centers must function independently since cloud-based applications would be unreliable with satellite connections. Adding to the complexity, the all-metal construction creates wireless challenges requiring thousands of access points while radar systems limit available wireless frequencies. The conversation explores security considerations unique to maritime environments, including the practice of using different networking vendors across ships to prevent fleet-wide vulnerabilities. We also examine how these networks prioritize traffic, with casino operations receiving highest priority as major revenue generators. Whether you're a networking professional curious about specialized environments or a cruise enthusiast wondering how your vacation technology works, this episode offers rare insights into the engineering behind modern maritime adventures. Ready to see cruise ships through entirely new eyes?Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

Send us a textArtificial intelligence isn't just a buzzword anymore. It's fundamentally changing how we approach networking and IT infrastructure. In the inaugural "Whitreboard Wednesday episode, Jeff Clark joins Andy to demonstrate practical AI applications that are transforming everyday tasks for network engineers.Jeff walks through powerful tools like Google's Notebook LM, which creates comprehensive mind maps from your content, making connections you might never notice on your own. The demonstrations are stunning: an AI that can look at a simple network diagram and generate perfect configuration files for Fortinet devices within minutes, or create an interactive resume website complete with working features in less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee.What makes this conversation especially compelling is Andy's journey from AI skeptic to enthusiast. Like many professionals, he initially feared AI would replace rather than enhance human capabilities. Now he's leveraging these tools to build his own SaaS product with minimal coding knowledge—something that would have required a team of developers and substantial funding just a few years ago.The hosts don't shy away from discussing legitimate concerns either. As a security professional, Jeff highlights the risks of feeding proprietary information into public AI systems and explains how organizations are navigating these challenges through internal tools and proper guardrails.Whether you're an AI novice or have been experimenting with these tools for months, this episode offers practical insights you can immediately apply to your workflow. As Jeff points out, understanding AI isn't just about keeping up with technology—it's about ensuring your skills remain relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.Ready to multiply your productivity and unlock new possibilities? Check out our YouTube channel to see these demonstrations in action and join our Discord community to continue the conversation about how AI is reshaping our profession.Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

Send us a textThe networking industry stands at a crossroads where traditional command-line mastery meets modern automation requirements. Few professionals embody this intersection better than Muna Chimso, a Network Automation Engineer at Google who joins us to share his remarkable journey and insights.Muna's story begins in Nigeria, where fixing his mother's phone sparked an early interest in technology. After moving to the United States in 2018 to study Computer Networking and IT, he made a critical observation that would shape his career path: while he loved networking fundamentals, the job market increasingly demanded coding skills even for networking positions. Rather than choosing between his passion for networking and the industry's direction toward software, Muna embraced both, building a rare and valuable skill set that combines deep networking knowledge with programming expertise.What makes Muna's perspective particularly valuable is his unique vantage point as a young professional who entered the field with fresh eyes. He shares how Google's Network Residency Program brings new graduates into the networking world, addressing the challenge of attracting young talent to a field often overshadowed by pure software engineering roles. We explore the evolving relationship between network engineers and developers, with fascinating insights into how companies are bridging this gap, from pairing traditional engineers with developers to incentivizing networking professionals to learn coding through bonuses and recognition programs.The conversation takes a thought-provoking turn when Muna suggests that the future of network engineering isn't about memorizing commands but understanding complex systems at scale. "You won't need to type a BGP command anymore," he notes, highlighting how the value of network professionals is shifting from configuration expertise to systems thinking and problem-solving abilities. While automation and AI handle increasingly complex tasks, the human element remains irreplaceable for understanding business problems and designing appropriate solutions.Whether you're a seasoned network veteran considering how to evolve your skills, a student wondering which path to pursue, or a technology leader building teams for the future, this episode offers invaluable insights into the convergence of networking and software development. Subscribe now and join our community at linktree.com/artofneteng to continue the conversation!Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

Send us a textConsulting Engineers (CEs) at networking vendors blend deep technical expertise with customer-facing skills to bridge the gap between account managers and specialized solution design. They operate as specialists who support Sales Engineers when customer requirements demand deeper technical knowledge.• CEs often join from traditional network engineering backgrounds or increasingly through vendor graduate programs• The role provides higher impact by influencing entire industries rather than just one company• CE positions typically offer better compensation than operational networking roles• Computer science education rarely covers networking fundamentals, creating an industry knowledge gap• The autonomy of the CE role allows for continuous learning and specialization while maintaining customer contact• Working at a vendor provides exposure to bleeding-edge technology and broader industry perspectives• Soft skills are equally important as technical skills for success in consulting engineeringIf you're interested in transitioning to a Consulting Engineer role, develop your soft skills and build relationships in the networking community, as these connections are invaluable. Reach Colin Doyle and Jared Cordova on LinkedIn to learn more about consulting engineering opportunities.Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

Send us a textThe divide between network engineers and developers has long been a source of frustration, misunderstanding, and blame in the tech world. When applications fail, the classic refrain "it's the network" often echoes through organizations, leaving network engineers scrambling to prove their innocence while developers remain convinced of their code's perfection.In this enlightening conversation, former Cisco developer advocate Erika Dietrick joins hosts Andy Lapteff and Jeff Clark to unpack the root causes of this technological rift. Erika offers a rare dual perspective, having worked both as a software engineer and in Cisco's Technical Assistance Center (TAC). She explains how educational paths create fundamentally different mindsets: "Developers learn to code, period. We do not learn how our computer works. We do not learn how the network works."Andy shares his personal struggles with learning automation, admitting to starting and quitting "every Python class on planet Earth." This prompts Erika's most valuable insight – that learning to "think like a developer" matters more than syntax or commands. The conversation explores how network engineers often find themselves drowning in daily operational tasks while being expected to add coding skills "for no more money," creating resistance to automation despite its potential benefits.The discussion takes unexpected turns through topics like cultural differences between teams, the challenges of breaking technical silos, and how AI might actually help bridge these gaps without replacing human expertise. Erika outlines her upcoming free course designed specifically for network engineers learning to code with AI – addressing the exact educational gap that has frustrated network professionals for years.Whether you identify more with Andy's automation struggles or Jeff's enthusiasm for Python scripting, this episode offers practical perspectives on healing the developer-networker divide. Subscribe to Erika's Youtube channel here: here:https://www.youtube.com/@erika_thedevSubscribe to our podcast for more conversations that tackle the human side of technology and join our Discord community at linktr.ee/artofneteng.Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

Send us a textNetwork engineers have traditionally drawn a line between "our tools" and "developer tools," often rejecting powerful solutions that could dramatically improve our workflows. But what if we thought about tools the same way tradespeople do? A plumber wouldn't refuse to use a hammer just because it's "for carpenters" – so why do we resist Git?In this eye-opening discussion, we explore how Git – the version control system created by Linux founder Linus Torvalds – can transform how network teams manage configurations, collaborate on changes, and maintain system history. Far from being "just for developers," Git provides elegant solutions to problems network engineers face daily.Think about how many times you've emailed configuration files with names like "config_v2_final_REALLY_FINAL.txt" to your team, trying to track which version is current. As our guest William Collins puts it, "If you're versioning in the file name, you've already lost." Git eliminates this chaos by providing a structured approach to tracking changes that's actually remarkably similar to how routing protocols work – distributed nodes maintaining a consistent state through carefully managed updates.We break down the differences between Git (the technology) and platforms like GitHub (commercial services built on Git), demonstrate how branching and pull requests can formalize peer review of network changes, and show why you don't need to understand every Git command to start benefiting from it today. Whether you're backing up configurations, collaborating on documentation, or building automation workflows, Git provides the structure and accountability that network operations desperately need.Ready to stop emailing configurations and embrace a better way? Listen now to discover why Git isn't just for developers – it's for anyone who wants to work smarter.Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

Send us a textHave you ever felt like your networking knowledge stops at layer three? You're not alone. In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the world of firewalls with security experts Jeff Clark and Matt Lushner, exploring why these critical devices are no longer just "edge protection" but have evolved into sophisticated security platforms that every network engineer should understand.From simple port filtering to next-generation capabilities like deep packet inspection and application awareness, we unpack how modern firewalls have transformed network security. Matt and Jeff expertly guide us through complex concepts like zero trust architecture, explaining how firewalls now integrate with active directory, endpoint protection, and threat intelligence to create comprehensive security ecosystems.Ever wondered what a DMZ actually does? Or how firewalls can inspect encrypted traffic? We tackle these questions and more, making security concepts accessible for network professionals looking to expand their skillset. The conversation reveals why network engineers are uniquely positioned to excel in firewall management – your understanding of traffic flows and routing gives you a head start in the security world.The traditional boundaries between networking and security are blurring, with firewalls now replacing routers in many environments and security considerations becoming embedded throughout the network rather than just at the perimeter. Whether you're curious about career progression into security or just want to better understand how your network's protections function, this episode provides the perfect introduction to the fascinating intersection of networking and security.Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

Send us a textNetwork automation remains one of the most polarizing topics in our industry. Despite years of being told it will revolutionize our work, actual adoption rates hover around a dismal 20-30%. Why the resistance? And is there finally a path forward that makes sense for everyday network engineers?In this candid conversation with Jeff Clark and Colin Doyle, we dive deep into the psychological and practical barriers that keep most engineers firmly rooted in traditional networking practices. Jeff shares how his "selfish automation" approach transformed a tedious 15-minute ticket process into a 30-second task, while Colin explores how modern intent-based networking is fundamentally changing what network automation means.The truth emerges that resistance isn't just about technical challenges—it's about cognitive biases like loss aversion and fear of job displacement. We confront the paradox that many engineers chose networking specifically to avoid coding, only to find programming skills becoming increasingly essential for career advancement.What makes this conversation different is our focus on practical, accessible starting points rather than theoretical ideals. You'll learn why small, personal projects that solve your immediate problems are the gateway to building automation skills, and how communities of practice can provide the support and accountability needed to progress.Whether you're automation-curious or automation-resistant, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on how to approach this inevitable shift in our field. The future of networking isn't about replacing engineers with code—it's about freeing engineers to focus on what matters most.Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

Send us a textWith the rise of artificial intelligence and its significant demands on network performance, experts are increasingly asking whether Ethernet can catch up to InfiniBand as the preferred choice for high-performance computing.Join us as industry veterans Mike Bushong and Dr. Jay Metz share their insights on the necessity of open, flexible, and scalable networking solutions. Discover why many believe that Ethernet could be the platform of choice moving forward. As they dissect the need for innovation, collaboration, and competition within the ecosystem, our guests provide a forward-looking perspective on the future of network engineering.This engaging discussion ultimately encourages listeners to rethink their understanding of Ethernet's potential, examining the increased complexity required to meet the evolving demands of modern computational tasks like AI and HPC. For more details about what the work UEC is doing, go to https://ultraethernet.org/Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

Send us a textThe (PA)NUG podcast panel of William Collins, Andy Lapteff, Ned Bellavance, and Drew Conry-Murray highlights the evolving landscape of network engineering, focusing on the essential skills required for future success, including automation and cloud technologies. Panelists emphasize the importance of foundational networking knowledge, mentorship, and the integration of security into network design, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements.• Exploration of the changing network engineering landscape • Emphasis on the importance of automation and scripting skills • Discussion on retaining fundamental knowledge in networking • Insights on securing networks within cloud infrastructure • Importance of mentorship and continuous learning • Perspectives on the future of AI in network engineeringJoin the (US)NUA today:https://www.usnua.com/membershipFind everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng