The Art of Network Engineering

Russ White, a seasoned network architect with expertise in routing protocols, and Mike Bushong, a practical network engineer, dive deep into the world of IS-IS. They explore why BGP dominates but often lacks flexibility, the architectural benefits of separating underlay and overlay networks, and the simplicity of IS-IS. The discussion highlights the declining deep protocol knowledge among engineers, the operational risks involved, and why IS-IS could be the underrated hero of modern data centers. Hands-on tips and resources for learning IS-IS also make an appearance!

Kevin Myers, an experienced network engineer and architect, shares his extensive knowledge on vendor selection and building effective networks. He emphasizes the importance of starting with business requirements before diving into vendor choices. The discussion covers the complexities of multi-vendor environments and the hidden costs associated with them. Kevin also highlights how understanding business outcomes can drive better technical design, offering insights on whitebox networking and its implications for modern network architecture.

William Collins, a Cloud and NetOps expert and speaker, dives into pivotal themes in today’s tech landscape. He highlights the AWS US-East-1 outage, challenging the notion that cloud services guarantee resiliency without strategy. William shares insights on public speaking, noting its power to boost careers through storytelling and effective Q&A. He also demystifies the Model Context Protocol (MCP), explaining its role in standardizing connections for tools and LLMs, streamlining workflows while ensuring secure access. Perfect for anyone eager to enhance their tech and communication skills!

Send us a textNetwork engineers don’t tune into corporate all-hands because they’re “lazy,” they tune out because the message often isn’t for them. In this episode of The Art of Network Engineering, Andy Lapteff sits down with longtime industry leaders Scott Robohn and Mike Bushong to unpack the disconnect between engineering teams and executive communications, and how to fix it.They talk about:Why engineers roll their eyes at town halls, earnings calls, and “four pillars of excellence”How leadership actually thinks about growth, stock price, cost centers, and enablementThe two jobs every company really has: build stuff or sell stuff, and where networking fitsHow to pitch your ideas in business terms so they get fundedWhy AI networking and data center infrastructure are the next durable growth areas for network prosThe difference between being part of the product vs. enabling the product,  and why it matters for your careerIf you’ve ever thought, “Just let me do my job,” this one’s for you. You’ll walk away knowing how to connect your automation, operations, or data center work to the outcomes your company actually cares about: revenue, speed, customer experience, and risk.Listen in, take notes, and then go advocate for your work like it matters, because it does.This episode has been sponsored by Meter. Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now!  You can support the show at the link below.Support the showFind everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

Lexie Cooper, a network engineer at Blue Origin and expert in physical-layer networking, dives deep into the world of space and streaming. She discusses New Glenn's growing fleet and launch strategies, while emphasizing the importance of learning in public, even through mistakes. The conversation explores the messy reality of home labs, demystifying PHY fundamentals and link behavior. Lexie shares insights on authenticity in tech careers amidst automation pressures, and why a hands-on approach is key to real learning in networking.

Send us a textLearning Python as a network engineer can feel confusing, frustrating, and let’s be honest, pretty dry at times. But Andy and Jeff are diving in together to make it real, relatable, and (hopefully) a little more fun.In this episode, they pick up where the last Python Party left off: exploring variables, strings, methods like .title() and .strip(), and why whitespace can break your scripts. Along the way, they share honest struggles, “aha!” moments, and practical applications for automation in the networking world.If you’ve ever looked at Python code and thought, “this isn’t for me,” this episode will make you feel seen. Join Andy and Jeff as they lab, laugh, and learn the building blocks that every network engineer needs to stay relevant in an automated future.This episode has been sponsored by Meter. Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now!  You can support the show at the link below.Support the showFind everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

Send us a textWe’re kicking off a brand-new “Python Study Sessions” series—learn right alongside host Andy Lapteff as he starts from absolute basics and builds momentum one concept at a time. In this first session, Andy walks through the installation of Python, setting up VS Code, running “Hello, world,” and getting comfortable with the Python REPL. Then we dive into fundamentals you’ll use everywhere: variables, print(), syntax highlighting, saving/running files, common traceback errors, and simple debugging in VS Code. This series is inspired by learning in public—join the community, ask questions, and study together as we work through Python Crash Course (3rd ed.). If you liked our recent, more technical BGP episode, you’ll love where this is headed.What you’ll learnInstalling Python 3 and launching the interpreterWriting and running your first script in VS CodeVariables 101: assignment, reassignment, and printing valuesReading tracebacks and fixing name/syntax errorsBeginner mindset tips for sticking with codeWe’ll stream future sessions and continue to publish the audio here. Want to follow along live, ask questions, or share your wins? Watch for stream announcements on our socials: @ArtOfNetEng.If this format helps you, tell us—rate the show, leave a comment, or share with a friend who’s been meaning to learn Python. Your feedback decides if we keep this series going.Subscribe to our YouTube channel and click the notification icon to get notified of our free Python Party Livestreams, where we learn Python fundamentals together: https://www.youtube.com/@artofnetenghttps://www.youtube.com/@erika_thedev FREE Learn to Code for network engineers course:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvfm4aNXLC8wiJs-YGVQXUwukv06z5NJS&si=EqTVV_57fkfHCpP_https://www.youtube.com/@TracketpacerStudy Streams:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj0DbZdkhZoc8t3X98tjB4lfKMRgq03LI&si=bJ9t1tM_3cmJwesRSupport the show:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2127872/supportThis episode has been sponsored by Meter. Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now!  You can support the show at the link below.Support the showFind everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

In this insightful discussion, Kevin Myers, an expert network engineer with a focus on BGP and WAN design, delves into the intricacies of Border Gateway Protocol. He explains BGP’s evolution from EGP, its role in managing enterprise routing policies, and highlights real-world applications. Kevin also shares strategies for handling overlapping IPv4 addresses during mergers, the effectiveness of BGP communities versus prefix lists, and why iBGP is crucial for scaling internal policies. This engaging conversation sheds light on the complexities and benefits of BGP in modern networking.

Tom Lawrence, a tech polymath and the face behind Lawrence Systems and a popular YouTube channel, shares his inspiring journey from farm kid to MSP owner. He discusses leading with value, emphasizing that genuine help truly resonates with people. Tom dives into cybersecurity, advocating for self-hosting AI for privacy. He offers practical advice on professional boundaries and critiques conventional marketing. His insights on community engagement through open-source integrations and humorous video content showcase his dedication to knowledge sharing in tech.

Ethan Banks, co-founder of Packet Pushers and a veteran in networking, shares his insightful journey through the evolution of network engineering. He reminisces about the chaotic mix of protocols in the mid-90s and how the industry has transformed towards modern needs. Ethan discusses the challenges of starting a podcast while working full-time, emphasizing the importance of community in supporting isolation among engineers. He also highlights the necessity for contemporary engineers to deepen their skills in cloud tech, cybersecurity, and automation.