Ep 134 - Delving into the Intricacies of Network Automation with Ansible Expert Tony Dubiel

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Dec 6, 2023

In this podcast, the hosts introduce Tony Dubiel, a Product Solutions Architect for Ansible Network Automation at Red Hat. They discuss the importance of a networking background in collaboration, the use of different automation tools, and the challenges of network automation. They also delve into the Ansible Automation Platform, the debate over using Terraform, and the advantages of using validated content for network automation.

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ANECDOTE

Tony's Career Path

Tony Dubiel's networking career began in the Air Force, working with Cisco routers.
He transitioned through various roles, including route/switch, voice, and data center, eventually specializing in automation.

INSIGHT

Challenges in Network Automation

Network engineers face the challenge of diverse automation tools and vendor-specific APIs.
Mastering these tools and staying updated is crucial for successful automation.

ADVICE

Python and Ansible for Network Automation

Explore Python basics for better API interaction and tool development.
Consider Ansible's abstraction capabilities for team collaboration and simplified automation.

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Ready to unravel the intricacies of network automation? We've got an insightful conversation lined up for you that promises to enlighten you on this complex topic. We kick off this episode by chatting about our new diverse content, our exciting podcast merchandise, and my upcoming autumn adventures in Vermont. We also welcome our special guest, Tony Dubiel, the Product Solutions Architect for Ansible Network Automation at Red Hat, who offers an insider's perspective on Ansible Network Automation.

Our discussion unfolds on a journey from route switching to data center and collaboration, emphasizing the worth of a networking background when stepping into collaboration. We delve into the vast array of automation tools, and debate whether network engineers should stick to one tool or embrace different tools for different scenarios. We also tackle the challenges of network automation, the role of abstraction and orchestration tools, and how ITSM and IPAM can make automation more accessible.

We then turn the spotlight on the Ansible Automation Platform, discussing its varied uses and how it's been revamped to be more cloud-native and scalable. We also touch upon the ongoing debate about using a tool like Terraform for immutable and disposable infrastructure, or different tools depending on the situation. Tony shares his thoughts on the evolution of network automation and the advantages of using validated content to lower the barrier to entry. So buckle up and join us on this enlightening journey into the world of network automation with Ansible.

Links to references made throughout the show:
Ansible4Networking Online Meetup Group (join for free)
https://www.meetup.com/ansible4networking/
Self service labs: https://www.redhat.com/en/interactive-labs/ansible
Network Use cases: https://www.ansible.com/use-cases/network-automation
Network Automation Ebook: https://www.redhat.com/en/engage/network-automation-guide-20221202
Network Blogs: https://www.ansible.com/blog/topic/network-automation
Getting Started with Network Automation:
https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/network/getting_started/index.html
https://ansible.com/network-automation

More from Tony:
https://twitter.com/tdubiel

Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng