

N Is For Networking
Packet Pushers
N Is For Networking deconstructs the concepts, jargon and acronyms of the data networking industry. Join grumpy old network engineer Ethan Banks with networking newcomer Holly Metlitzky for these episodes that will help you place context around networking terminology.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 31, 2025 • 47min
N4N035: Well Actually . . . Listener Comments and Corrections
We ask listeners for follow up and you’ve sent it in. On today’s show we respond to listener comments and corrections on tunneling, the link aggregation control protocol, link aggregation in general, and DHCP options. We also talk about the network engineering certification journey. If you’ve got a “Well, actually” or any other follow up,... Read more »

Jul 24, 2025 • 43min
N4N034: OSPF Network Types
Ethan and Holly continue their OSPF journey this week with OSPF Network Types. They discuss the two main OSPF network types used today: the broadcast and point to point networks. They also explain designated routers, backup designated routers, and when those are used and why. Lastly they discuss some soft skills – knowing your vendor... Read more »

Jul 17, 2025 • 57min
N4N033: OSPF Neighbor Formation and Timers
Our OSPF series continues with a look at OSPF neighbor formation and related timers. We talk about the five major packet types that carry information among OSPF routers, how OSPF routers become neighbors, how they negotiate link-state database exchanges, keep-alive messages, and how they negotiate designated and backup routers when multiple devices are on the... Read more »

Jun 26, 2025 • 57min
N4N032: OSPF Basics
By popular request (and now that we have some other background topics covered) we start our series on the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) routing protocol. We kick off the series with OSPF basics including Link State Advertisements, Link State Database, and other related essentials. We’ll explore additional OSPF topics over subsequent episodes. This week’s... Read more »

Jun 19, 2025 • 55min
N4N031: When Is It Time For a Routing Protocol?
If you need to route in your network, you can program static routes into all your routing-capable devices. And this can work. But at some point, you’re probably going to want to switch to a dynamic routing protocol. On today’s N Is For Networking, Ethan and Holly discuss the differences between static and dynamic routes,... Read more »

14 snips
Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 3min
N4N030: Network Shapes and Sizes
Discover the fascinating world of network topologies, from leaf/spine to hub and spoke designs. Learn how these configurations influence traffic management and network efficiency. Dive into the critical last mile of connectivity, which links homes to the internet, and explore the essential role of content delivery networks in streaming services. Understand the growing significance of edge networks in reducing latency for various industries. Join the conversation on evolving networking concepts and community engagement.

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 4min
N4N029: Four Goals of Network Design
Discover the four essential goals of network design: stability, speed, scalability, and security. The hosts share insights on navigating design challenges and the importance of collaboration with specialists. They delve into the nuances of network latency and the significance of investing wisely based on specific needs. Scalability strategies are also discussed, highlighting how simple, efficient designs can accommodate future growth. Finally, the necessity of regular maintenance and community engagement is emphasized to enhance overall network performance.

May 29, 2025 • 1h 1min
N4N028: The Wide World of WANs
We wanted to do an episode on SD-WAN, but realized we needed to set the stage for how wide-area networking developed. That’s why today’s episode is a history lesson of the Wide Area Network (WAN). We talk about how WANs emerged, public and private WANs, how WANs connect to LANs and data centers, the care... Read more »

May 22, 2025 • 49min
N4N027: Tunneling Quirks & Features
On today’s show, we’re going to dig deeper into tunnels and explore some of the quirks and features of tunnels. This week we’ll discuss maximum transmission units (MTUs), maximum segment size, IP fragmentation and more. Today’s bonus material is more RFCs – RFC 4821 and RFC 8899. Episode Links: What Is a Tunnel? – N... Read more »

May 15, 2025 • 54min
N4N026: What Is a Tunnel?
Let’s dig into tunnels. While some network engineers may want to quibble, a tunnel is when you put one packet inside of another packet to carry it across a network (frames also come into the picture, so hold off on your follow-ups for now). On today’s N Is For Networking, Ethan and Holly explore this... Read more »