HN734: Russ White Hour Part 2: Snowflakes and Network Automation
May 17, 2024
auto_awesome
Russ White champions network snowflakes in business, discusses VXLAN/EVPN versatility in network cores, embraces uniqueness in business strategies, explores challenges of data models in networking automation, proposes a Russ White design certification, emphasizes collaborative network automation systems, and highlights online presence and training projects for engineers' professional development.
Network snowflakes championed by Russ White have power in business use cases.
Shift from process-oriented network automation to an architectural mindset is vital for system integration.
Deep dives
Understanding Network Automation Levels
At the associate level, individuals are introduced to operational aspects such as modularizing code, CI/CD pipelines, and GitOps. Professional level adds design considerations where individuals must be able to structure code, avoid repetition, and manage data efficiently. At the expert/architect level, a broader architectural thinking is required, focusing on module integration, reusability, database selection, and trade-offs.
Transitioning from Process to Architecture
The discussion prompts a shift from process-oriented network automation to architectural mindset. It emphasizes the importance of having an overarching system rather than siloed scripts. Processes lead towards architecture iteratively, and lacking a broader architecture results in fragmented scripts, akin to herding cats without a coherent strategy.
Balancing Tools with Comprehensive Automation System
The dialogue underscores the necessity of viewing network automation as a collaborative system within an IT environment. It stresses the development of a platform rather than individual Python scripts. Automation should encompass a comprehensive strategy, inclusive of collaborative change management, robust version control, and strategic process mapping.
Striving for Strategic Automation Approaches
Network automation is envisioned as a strategic offering where tool expertise is complemented by system-wide considerations. The journey from associate to expert levels involves progressing from functional tool usage to system architecture planning, emphasizing scalability, design modules, data handling, and collaborative deployment scenarios.
Welcome to the second part of our interview with friend of the podcast, Russ White. We start our conversation with a listener question about VXLAN/EVPN which acts as a springboard for what Russ really thinks about network engineering these days. He defends network snowflakes, championing their power in business use cases. He questions the merit... Read more »
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode