Network Automation Nerds Podcast

#055 Embracing Change in Tech with Ethan Banks and Drew Conry-Murray - Part 2

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0800

**
🎊 Exciting News!
Network Automation Nerds will have a new home at Packet Pushers starting March 6th, 2024 at: https://packetpushers.net/podcast/network-automation-nerds/
**

Network Automation Nerds has a new home in March, joining the family of exciting podcasts on Packet Pushers! Two of the hosts from Packet Pusher is here to share with us their journey and how they navigating and embrace changes in Tech.

In part 1 of our conversation, they share their heartfelt journey and strategies in dealing with the challenges they faced, reflect on the ebbs and flows that led to the birth of their revered podcast and build a loyal following.

In part 2 of our conversation, we have a round table discussion on the profound effects of hypervisors, containers, and the unceasingly smart screens that have revamped human interaction and cognitive functions. We not only talked about technical know-how; we also focused on the human aspect in the rapidly evolving world of network engineering.

This episode is a blend of rich insights from our guests and reflections on adapting to technological advancements. I really enjoyed the thought-provoking narrative that goes beyond the bits and bytes of network automation from our guests and I hope you do too.

Network Automation Nerds new home: https://packetpushers.net/podcast/network-automation-nerds/
Connect with Ethan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanbanks/
Follow Ethan on Packet Pushers: https://packetpushers.net/author/ethan-banks/
Connect with Drew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewconrymurray/
Follow Drew’s work: https://drewconrymurray.com/
Follow Drew on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:atki7n2elzkzdhigv26pm4ia

#054 Embracing Change in Tech with Ethan Banks and Drew Conry-Murray - Part 1

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0800

**
🎊 Exciting News!
Network Automation Nerds will have a new home at Packet Pushers starting March 6th, 2024 at: https://packetpushers.net/podcast/network-automation-nerds/
**

Network Automation Nerds has a new home in March, joining the family of exciting podcasts on Packet Pushers! Two of the hosts from Packet Pusher is here to share with us their journey and how they navigating and embrace changes in Tech.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to leap from traditional IT role into tech media innovation, or move from traditional media to own your own brand? That's exactly what Ethan Banks and Drew Conry-Murray of Packet Pushers did, and they're here to tell us the details of their thrilling journey.

Change is the only constant in both life and technology, and Ethan and Drew embrace it with open arms. From swapping network cables for microphones, to diving into the fast evolving world of podcasting, Ethan and Drew confront change head-on, using it as a catalyst for personal and professional growth.

In part 1 of our conversation, they share their heartfelt journey and strategies in dealing with the challenges they faced, reflect on the ebbs and flows.

Join us as these industry veterans recount their transformative career paths and share the serendipitous moments that led to the birth of their revered podcast and build a loyal following.

Network Automation Nerds new home: https://packetpushers.net/podcast/network-automation-nerds/
Connect with Ethan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanbanks/
Follow Ethan on Packet Pushers: https://packetpushers.net/author/ethan-banks/
Connect with Drew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewconrymurray/
Follow Drew’s work: https://drewconrymurray.com/
Follow Drew on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:atki7n2elzkzdhigv26pm4ia

#053: Innovation in Network Automation with Damien Garros: The OpsMill Solution - Part 2

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0800

In today's episode, we will continue on a journey through the world of network automation with Damien Garros, the brain behind OpsMill. OpsMill is revolutionizing the world of infrastructure management, focusing on agility, robustness, and comprehensive documentation.

Our interest in OpsMill was sparked at the recently concluded AutoCon 0, where it garnered significant attention and praise from industry professionals. Impressed by the buzz, we reached out to Damien, who kindly accepted our invitation to join us for an in-depth discussion.

In part 2 of our conversation, we're eager to delve into the intricacies of this innovative platform with Damien.

Let's dive right in to the episode!

Connect with Damien on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damiengarros/
Follow Damien on Twitter: https://twitter.com/damgarros
Check out OpsMill: https://www.opsmill.com/
AutoCon0 Damien Presentation Slides: https://speakerdeck.com/dgarros/network-source-of-truth-and-infrastructure-as-code-revisited-autocon0
Damien GitHub: https://github.com/dgarros

#052: Innovation in Network Automation with Damien Garros: The OpsMill Solution - Part 1

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0800

In today's episode, we will go on a journey through the world of network automation with Damien Garros, the brain behind Opsmill.

In part 1 of our conversation, we will discuss his path in networking engineering, including moving from the France to the US with some initial challenges in both the engineering and cultural differences. He eventually became a voice of change at Juniper Networks and beyond.

The search for a reliable "source of truth" in infrastructure management can feel like a quest for the Holy Grail. In our discussion, Damien and I dissect the limitations of traditional databases and the allure of Git for its version control capabilities as we acknowledge both of their shortcomings.

Join us as we explore the journey of OpsMill, understand its impact on the industry, and learn about the future plans from Damien himself. This episode promises to be a treasure trove of insights for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Let's dive right in with Damien!

Connect with Damien on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damiengarros/
Follow Damien on Twitter: https://twitter.com/damgarros
Check out OpsMill: https://www.opsmill.com/
AutoCon0 Damien Presentation Slides: https://speakerdeck.com/dgarros/network-source-of-truth-and-infrastructure-as-code-revisited-autocon0
Damien GitHub: https://github.com/dgarros

#051: Unlocking Network Engineering Insights with Dr. Russ White, Part 2

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Imagine holding the roadmap to success in network engineering in your hands. That's what we will try to offer you in this part 2 of our conversation with the renowned Dr. Russ White.

Russ emphasizes the importance of building your mental map to navigate the complex terrain of this field. He shares his valuable 'four things model,' for a practical problem-solving method crafted from his extensive experience. So whether you're fresh out of college or in the early stages of your career, this episode is your map to understanding the history and branches of networking.

And if you're under the impression that being a network engineer is all about technical knowledge, get ready to have that beliefs challenged. With the ever-evolving nature of networking careers, Russ shares insights from his philosophical background on the essential traits of resilience and the ways to overcome challenges.

I can't wait to bring part 2 of our conversation with Russ to you, so let's get to it!

Connect with Russ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riw777/
Follow Russ on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rtggeek?lang=en
Check out Rull11 Tech: https://rule11.tech/

#050: Unlocking Network Engineering Insights with Dr. Russ White, Part 1

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Are you curious about the journey of a technology veteran who's turned farming and fishing into life lessons? Join our chat with Russ White, an industry luminary who has helped shape the world of networking. From his early forays into electronics and amateur radio, Russ tells a fascinating tale of how he landed in networking and technology.

In part 1 of our conversation, Russ takes us on a trip down memory lane as he recounts his career voyage. From his stint in the Air Force working on mainframes and cryptography, to his landmark work at Cisco specializing in frame relay and IP routing. Get an exclusive look into his experience with the source code for iOS and his role in crafting Cisco Press books.

Let's get to it!

Connect with Russ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riw777/
Follow Russ on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rtggeek?lang=en
Check out Rull11 Tech: https://rule11.tech/

#049: Tech Marketing with Alex Henthorn-Iwane, Part 2

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Today we have a true powerhouse of marketing joining us, Alex Henthorn-Iwane. In his own words, he is a multi-exit, full-stack B2B marketing executive, technologist, and advisor, currently doing fractional CMO work. I have followed a number of Alex’s posts, including one he summarized his experience at AutoCon 0, which I am looking forward to digesting more of.

In part 2 of the interview, Alex and I go deeper into the conversation around network automation messaging, technical marketing and how an inspired professional can get into the field.

I am super excited to have Alex on the show today, and I know we will have a great time diving deep into Alex’s wealth of knowledge and experience. Let’s dive right in!

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhenthorniwane/
Follow Alex on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heniwane

--- Stay in Touch with Us —

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EricChouNetworkAutomationNerds
Follow Eric on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericchou
Network Automation Learning Community: https://members.networkautomation.community/

#048: Tech Marketing with Alex Henthorn-Iwane, Part 1

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Today we have a true powerhouse of marketing joining us, Alex Henthorn-Iwane. In his own words, he is a multi-exit, full-stack B2B marketing executive, technologist, and advisor, currently doing fractional CMO work. I have followed a number of Alex’s posts, including one he summarized his experience at AutoCon 0, which I am looking forward to digesting more of.

In part 1 of the interview, Alex talked about his journey into technical marketing and his thoughts on how to deliver the message around network automation.

#047: AutoCon0 Recap Insights with Danny Wade (DevNetDan)

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0800

Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast! Today, we have a special guest, Danny Wade, affectionately known in the tech community as DevNet Dan. Danny has recently returned from the AutoCon0 conference, an event focused on network automation, and he's here to share his insights and experiences with us. This was originally a guest speaking session at the Network Automation Learning community and presented here in its entirety for listeners to enjoy.

In this episode, Danny will delve into the key themes and innovations that were highlighted at the conference. He'll discuss the trends in network automation and reflect on his personal journey at the conference. He'll share his key takeaways from the event. These include practical tips, strategies, and insights that can help professionals in the field of network automation to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Stay tuned and let's dive into the world of network innovation with DevNet Dan!

Network Automation Forum: https://networkautomation.forum/
AutoCon 0 Page: https://networkautomation.forum/eventinfo
Dan's Blog: https://devnetdan.com/
Connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielcwade/
Follow Dan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/devnetdan

--- Stay in Touch with Us —

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EricChouNetworkAutomationNerds
Follow Eric on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericchou
Network Automation Learning Community: https://members.networkautomation.community/

#046 On Device Automation with Taha Yusuf (a.k.a. NetAutomator), Part 2

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0800

In this episode, we welcome back Taha, a.k.a NetAutomator, to unravel the often-misunderstood concept of onbox programmability and how it can transform your network device into a multi-purpose tool within your data center.

If you have Cisco IOS-XE, IOS-XR, or NX-OS devices, chances are you can use it to run Python scripts, bash scripts, and event managers directly on the device.

What does it mean for your environment? That is what our conversation is about.

Don't miss this fascinating conversation!

Connect with Taha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taha-yusuf/
Follow Taha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NetAutomator
Containers in Cisco IOS-XE, IOS-XR, and NX-OS: Orchestration and Operation, https://www.ciscopress.com/store/containers-in-cisco-ios-xe-ios-xr-and-nx-os-orchestration-9780135782972.
Container Lab: https://containerlab.dev/

--- Stay in Touch with Us —

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EricChouNetworkAutomationNerds
Follow Eric on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericchou
Network Automation Learning Community: https://members.networkautomation.community/

#045 On Device Automation with Taha Yusuf (a.k.a. NetAutomator), Part 1

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0800

In this episode, get ready for a awesome discussion with Taha Yusuf, also known as NetAutomator, as we talk about the intricacies of the network engineering field, and the state of automation in networking. Listen in as we reflect on his fascinating path into the world of technology, starting from a young age with his first PC, to learning Visual Basic, and his experiences as a Network Engineer.

We also explore the importance of self-learning in achieving true success in IT careers. Taha explains why it's crucial to transcend certification and focus on self-learning.

Let's dive in!

Connect with Taha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taha-yusuf/
Follow Taha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NetAutomator
Containers in Cisco IOS-XE, IOS-XR, and NX-OS: Orchestration and Operation, https://www.ciscopress.com/store/containers-in-cisco-ios-xe-ios-xr-and-nx-os-orchestration-9780135782972.
Container Lab: https://containerlab.dev/

--- Stay in Touch with Us —

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EricChouNetworkAutomationNerds
Follow Eric on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericchou
Network Automation Learning Community: https://members.networkautomation.community/

#044: Network Automation with Eddie Chan, Part 2

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0800

Hello and welcome to the Network Automation Nerds podcast, your go-to source for all things network automation, network engineering, and Python. I'm Eric Chou, your host, and today, we have an incredible guest for this episode.

Join me in welcoming back Eddie Chan, founder of Ironwood Networks and the technical mind behind the network snapshot tool, NAA.

In part 2 of the interview, we'll explore the world of network automation, dissect the innovation behind NAA, and tap into Eddie's industry insights. It's a fun and engaging discussion that you won't want to miss.

I can't wait to dive back into our conversation, let's go!

Company website: https://www.ironwoodnetworks.com
NAA Installation Guide: https://www.ironwoodnetworks.com/support/doc/install_guide-naa5.php
NAA Starter Guide: https://www.ironwoodnetworks.com/support/doc/starter_guide-naa5.php

--- Sponsor: Packt Publishing ---

Packt Publishing:
https://www.packtpub.com/
Mastering Windows Server 2022:
https://packt.link/IaXU8
Keycloak - Identity and Access Management for Modern Applications 2E:
https://packt.link/ScpAi

--- Stay in Touch with Us —

Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/EricChouNetworkAutomationNerds
Follow Eric on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ericchou
Network Automation Learning Community:
https://members.networkautomation.community/

#043: Network Automation with Eddie Chan, Part 1

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0800

Join me in welcoming Eddie Chan, founder of Ironwood Networks and the technical mind behind the network snapshot tool, NAA.

With a distinguished career that includes being an early CCIE 5624 and holding a lifetime emeritus status, Eddie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our conversation.

In this episode, which is Part 1 of our interview series with Eddie, we'll dive into his path to network engineering and CCIE certification. We'll explore the world of network automation and tap into Eddie's deep industry insights.

So, join us as we kick off this exciting interview with Eddie, let's dive in!

Company website: https://www.ironwoodnetworks.com
NAA Installation Guide: https://www.ironwoodnetworks.com/support/doc/install_guide-naa5.php
NAA Starter Guide: https://www.ironwoodnetworks.com/support/doc/starter_guide-naa5.php

--- Sponsor: Packt Publishing ---

Packt Publishing:
https://www.packtpub.com/
Python For Security & Networking:
https://packt.link/Vf5Jn
Mastering Kubernetes 4th Edition:
https://packt.link/QlGLk

--- Stay in Touch with Us —

Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/EricChouNetworkAutomationNerds
Follow Eric on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ericchou
Network Automation Learning Community:
https://members.networkautomation.community/

#042: Talking Wireless with Expert, Content Creator, and Entrepreneur - Rowell Dionicio , Part 2

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Hello and welcome to the Network Automation Nerds podcast.

Today on the show, I am excited to talk to Rowell Dionicio. Rowell is an experienced wireless network expert, the Founder and Managing Director of Packt6, and the host of the Clear to Send podcast.

Before founding his own company, Rowell held different roles in the IT field, including 8 years in higher education at Stanford University.

On part 2 of the show today (find part 1's link below), we will be talking about his passion for trying out new projects, making your wireless network better, and many more.

I am super excited to have Rowell on the show again, and we will have a great time chatting. Let’s dive right in!

Part 1: https://podcast.networkautomationnerds.com/1864201/13239495-041-talking-wireless-with-expert-content-creator-and-entrepreneur-rowell-dionicio-part-1

Connect with Rowell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowelldionicio/
Follow Rowell on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rowelldionicio
Read Rowell's Blog: https://rowelldionicio.com/blog/
Clear To Send: https://www.cleartosend.net/
Clear To Send Twitter: https://twitter.com/cleartosend
CWNA Certification: https://www.cwnp.com/certifications/cwna

--- Stay in Touch with Us —
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EricChouNetworkAutomationNerds
Follow Eric on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericchou
Network Automation Learning Community: https://members.networkautomation.community/
Subscribe on Apple Podcast for Bonus Episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/network-automation-nerds-podcast/
Patreon of the show: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62594522

#041: Talking Wireless with Expert, Content Creator, and Entrepreneur - Rowell Dionicio , Part 1

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Hello and welcome to the Network Automation Nerds podcast.

Today on the show, I am excited to talk to Rowell Dionicio. Rowell is an experienced wireless network expert, the Founder and Managing Director of Packt6, and the host of the Clear to Send podcast.

Before founding his own company, Rowell held different roles in the IT field, including 8 years in higher education at Stanford University.

On part 1 of the show today, we will be talking about his path to IT and his passion for wireless networking.

I am super excited to have Rowell on the show today, and we will have a great time chatting. Let’s dive right in!

Connect with Rowell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowelldionicio/
Follow Rowell on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rowelldionicio
Read Rowell's Blog: https://rowelldionicio.com/blog/
Clear To Send: https://www.cleartosend.net/
Clear To Send Twitter: https://twitter.com/cleartosend
CWNA Certification: https://www.cwnp.com/certifications/cwna

#040: Content Creation and Self Publishing with Tim McConnaughy and Nick Russo, Part 2

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 17 May 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Hello Network Automation Nerds!

Today on the show, we will continue discussing self-publishing with my fellow authors, Nick Russo, and Tim McConnaughy. In today's world, it is important for everybody to find their voice, create their brand, and be an advocate for themselves.

In part 2 of the talk, we will talk about lessons learned from self-publishing, the tools we used, and looking forward to the next steps. I know each of us has some hard-earned badges in that arena, and we are happy to share them with you.

I am super excited to continue the conversation with Tim and Nick. Let’s dive right in!

[Sponsor] Opengear: https://opengear.com/ciscolive2023/ (Visit Opengear's booth 7712 at Cisco Live 2023!).

Part 1: https://podcast.networkautomationnerds.com/1864201/12819513-039-content-creation-and-self-publishing-with-tim-mcconnaughy-and-nick-russo-part-1

Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tmcconnaughy/
Follow Tim on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juangolbez
The Hybrid Cloud Handbook: https://www.amazon.com/Hybrid-Cloud-Handbook-AWS-Traditional/dp/B0BW2ZKNB6/
Tim's Blog: https://carpe-dmvpn.com/
Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/njrusmc/
Follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickrusso42518
Nicke's Blog: http://njrusmc.net/

Leanpub: https://leanpub.com/
PublishDrive: https://publishdrive.com/
Kindle Direct Publishing: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/
Ingram Content Group: https://www.ingramcontent.com/

--- Stay in Touch with Us —
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EricChouNetworkAutomationNerds
Follow Eric on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericchou
Network Automation Learning Community: https://members.networkautomation.community/
Subscribe on Apple Podcast for Bonus Episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/network-automation-nerds-podcast/
Patreon of the show: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62594522

#039: Content Creation and Self Publishing with Tim McConnaughy and Nick Russo, Part 1

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 10 May 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Hello and welcome to the Network Automation Nerds podcast!

Today on the show, we will discuss a topic near and dear to my heart, something I have been doing for the last 6 years and probably my primary side project during that time frame. I am talking about content publishing.

In today's episode, I am joined by my fellow authors, Tim McConnaughy and Nick Russo. In part 1 of the talk, we will discuss why to become a creator, create your own brand, extend your audience, and much more.

I am super excited to have Tim and Nick on the show today, and I know we will have a great time chatting. Let’s dive right in!

[Sponsor] Network to Code University: https://go.networktocode.com/ntcu

Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tmcconnaughy/
Follow Tim on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juangolbez
The Hybrid Cloud Handbook: https://www.amazon.com/Hybrid-Cloud-Handbook-AWS-Traditional/dp/B0BW2ZKNB6/
Tim's Blog: https://carpe-dmvpn.com/
Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/njrusmc/
Follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickrusso42518
Nicke's Blog: http://njrusmc.net/

Leanpub: https://leanpub.com/
PublishDrive: https://publishdrive.com/
Kindle Direct Publishing: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/
Ingram Content Group: https://www.ingramcontent.com/

--- Stay in Touch with Us —
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EricChouNetworkAutomationNerds
Follow Eric on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericchou
Network Automation Learning Community: https://members.networkautomation.community/
Subscribe on Apple Podcast for Bonus Episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/network-automation-nerds-podcast/
Patreon of the show: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62594522

#038: Zero to Hero Network Automation Journey with Anthony House and Christian Bray, Part 2

eric@pythonicneteng.com (Eric Chou) — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0700