Network Automation Nerds

Let’s hear from the next generation of network engineers. Eric Chou sits down with Sem Eyob and Damon Hoody, two early-career network engineers, to talk about how they got into the profession and where they hope to go. They share their views on AI and its effect on their generation, their struggles finding entry level... Read more »

Chris Kane, a seasoned network engineer and community leader with a background in AI infrastructure, joins the discussion. He emphasizes the rapid evolution of networking driven by AI technology. Chris advocates for network engineers to grasp adjacent technologies like compute and storage. He identifies the shift from 'selfish' networking to essential collaboration across disciplines. The conversation highlights the need for robust observability tools, power constraints, and the importance of intellectual curiosity in navigating this dynamic landscape.

Tomas Kirnak, CEO of Unimus, joins Eric Chou in this sponsored episode to introduce Unimus, an on-premise network configuration management system built by network engineers to solve real-world problems. In this deep dive they discuss Unimus’ proprietary “Behavioral Tree” for automatic device discovery, the platform’s vendor support, the 70/30 rule, and lowering the barrier for... Read more »

Cisco Workflows is a new platform that makes network automation easier, smarter, and safer. On today’s episode, sponsored by Cisco, we get introduced to Cisco Workflows by Stephen Orr, Distinguished Solutions Engineer; and Reid Butler, Director of Product Management. They break down how Workflows helps you ditch repetitive tasks, roll out changes faster, and plug... Read more »

Host Eric Chou talks with Jeff Kala, co-author of the newly released “Network Automation Cookbook 2nd Edition,” to discuss his book and the experiences that led him from networking to network automation author. They discuss Jeff’s learning style and why it was helpful when working on his book. Lastly, they dig into Jeff’s predictions on... Read more »

We’re thrilled to welcome Tim McConnaughy back to the podcast. Tim is a hybrid cloud network architect, author, and co-host of the Cables to Cloud podcast. He recently wrote a 5-part blog series titled ‘Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road’ that reflects on his career path, including his decision to leave a startup. We discuss the impetus... Read more »

As AI becomes more integrated into the IT landscape, developers, engineers, and operators are looking for practical ways to use these new tools. Joining us today is Ryan Booth; he’s built a career around network automation, giving him a unique perspective on how network engineering, operations, software development, and AI intersect. We explore the practical... Read more »

Transforming over 5,000 network devices across 56 data centers is no small feat. Doing that with a very small team is even more impressive. On today’s episode, sponsored by Network To Code, we talk to Greg Botts from Intel, who with his team accomplished just that. They started with YAML files and DNS records and... Read more »

In this milestone discussion, Drew Conry-Murray, an experienced podcast host and contributor to Packet Pushers, joins Eric Chou to reflect on five years of impactful conversations. They delve into the motivations behind starting the show and the evolution of networking automation. Eric shares memorable mishaps from recording, emphasizing how guest diversity has enriched their discussions. They explore market shifts towards automation and end with insights on the increasing value of automation skills in today’s job landscape.

William Collins, a tech evangelist and podcaster, shares his journey from early computing to creating engaging educational content. He emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and tinkering with technology. The conversation explores trends in AI adoption, stressing its evolution from hype to practical applications in enterprises. Collins also discusses the consolidation of roles in networking and security, urging an experimentation mindset to embrace new tools and integration models. He wraps up with tips on communicating project value to leadership.