Introduction to Network Automation and Challenges

Network automation remains a complex and evolving field, with professionals often feeling they are running in circles despite advancements made over the past several years. The speakers highlight how cloud engineers, using tools like Terraform, appear to have a more organized approach to their work compared to traditional network engineers, who still face chaotic operational environments. This friction seems persistent across decades, as motivations and efficiencies differ considerably between these two communities. Network professionals, especially those dealing with physical hardware, continue to grapple with unique challenges that their cloud counterparts may not experience.