Heavy Networking

In this discussion, networking instructor Tony Bourke shares insights on the essentials of CI/CD pipelines in network engineering. He highlights how these practices enhance network automation by improving configuration management and reducing manual errors. Bourke dives into the use of templates with Jinja and YAML, showcasing their benefits for dynamic configurations. He also addresses the learning curve of Python programming for automation, suggesting resources that simplify the complexities for newcomers.

Connecting your branch to your wide area network used to be simple enough. Call your carrier, get a circuit ordered, wait a long time, then turn it up. A little routing, and there you were. Cloud blew that model apart. Now when we connect branches to our corporate networks, we have to consider not only... Read more »

Unless you’re building out AI infrastructure at a hyperscaler, you probably don’t have unlimited dollars. On today’s Heavy Networking we talk with guest Frank Seesink about how to build and operate networks effectively when money’s tight. We look at free and open source tools, talk about the trade-offs that come with free software, and how... Read more »

On today’s show, we’re discussing the complexities of network design for AI computing at the edge. We’re not talking about AIOps, although that might come up in this conversation. Instead, we’re focusing on how to effectively cope with the network traffic patterns happening on your network as a result of AI computing workloads. Our subject... Read more »

Many of us have had network design discussions relating to natural disasters. What if a fire comes through? Or a flood? For most of us, those discussions don’t feel overly worthy of our attention. Yes, we should think about it. Yes, we should plan for it. If we’re really serious, we’ll even dust off the... Read more »

Laura Santa Maria, a Principal Engineer at Red Hat and host of the Technically Leadership podcast, shares her insights on the leap from engineer to manager. She emphasizes the need to understand business dynamics and the emotional challenges of leadership, including the tough decisions around layoffs. Core traits for aspiring leaders like self-awareness and communication are discussed, alongside the concept of 'curated failure' as a learning tool. Finally, Laura highlights the unique advantages network engineers bring to leadership roles and the importance of mentorship in nurturing future leaders.

Chris Greer, a packet analyst at Packet Pioneer, shares his expertise on the nuances of packet analysis, particularly using Wireshark. He emphasizes the enduring value of traditional tools in an era influenced by AI. The conversation highlights complex troubleshooting scenarios, the role of TCP resets, and the challenges of encrypted networks. Greer also offers insights on learning pathways for aspiring engineers and the importance of staying updated with networking technologies. Plus, a sneak peek into Shark Fest 2025 rounds out the discussion!

Network automation can be intimidating, but it opens doors beyond basic scripting. Discover the unique challenges posed by volcanic activity in Iceland and how redundancy measures keep data flowing. Explore the intricate landscape of network tools and the importance of documentation on GitHub. Delve into the clash of open-source versus commercial solutions and the need for reliable data management. Finally, gain insights from Autocon conferences, highlighting networking opportunities and the future of learning in network automation.

Ryan Hamill, a Senior Software Engineer at Zayo Group, and Josh Vandera, Services Director at Network Decode, dive deep into the world of network automation. They discuss the vital role of telemetry in network monitoring and the challenges of managing data effectively. Key topics include the evolution of monitoring tools, the importance of collaboration between networking and security teams, and the significance of input validation in scripting. They also explore automation’s cultural shift and the benefits of utilizing Container Lab for efficient network practices.

Kalyan Sidham, Director of Product Management for IoT and OT Security at Palo Alto Networks, sheds light on the critical challenges of securing IoT and OT devices. He discusses the revolutionary concept of virtual patching, emphasizing its advantages over traditional methods. Kalyan explores how AI and machine learning enhance security operations by identifying zero-day threats and facilitating collaboration between IT and OT teams. He also addresses the importance of compliance and the role of virtual patching in maintaining robust security measures against cyber threats.