The Art of Network Engineering

Andy and Friends

The Art of Network Engineering blends technical insight with real-world stories from engineers, innovators, and IT pros. From data centers on cruise ships to rockets in space, we explore the people, tools, and trends shaping the future of networking, while keeping it authentic, practical, and human. We tell the human stories behind network engineering so every engineer feels seen, supported, and inspired to grow in a rapidly changing industry. For more information, check out https://linktr.ee/artofneteng 

  1. Jul 15 ·  Video

    The Biggest Myth About Open Source

    Does making your code public mean giving away your best ideas? It's a question more developers are asking as AI makes software creation more accessible than ever. After spending decades believing software development wasn't for him, Andy Lapteff has spent the last several months building real applications with AI-assisted coding tools like Claude Code. That journey led to a bigger question: Should you make your GitHub repositories public? Joining Andy is William Collins for a thoughtful discussion about open source software, GitHub, intellectual property, AI-assisted development, and why the real value in software may have far less to do with code than most people think. Together they explore why projects like Terraform became industry standards, how open source communities create powerful network effects, and why execution—not ideas—often becomes the real competitive advantage. They also discuss the changing role of AI in software development, the future of technical careers, and why builders, entrepreneurs, and network engineers should rethink what it means to create value in the age of AI. In this episode, you'll learn:  Why open source doesn't necessarily mean giving away your ideas  When to keep a GitHub repository private—and when to make it public  Why community can become a stronger competitive advantage than code  How AI tools like Claude Code are changing software development  What network engineers can learn from open source software  Why execution matters more than protecting ideas Whether you're a developer, network engineer, entrepreneur, or simply curious about how AI is changing software, this conversation will challenge some long-held assumptions about open source, intellectual property, and building technology. Send us Fan Mail This episode has been sponsored by Meter.  Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now!  Support the show Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

  2. Jul 1 ·  Video

    Why Most Network Designs Are Flawed

    Andy Lapteff sits down with network architect James Bensley at AutoCon 5 in Munich to explore the realities of service provider networking, architecture, automation, and standards development.   James shares his path from support engineer to architect, explains how network designs evolve, and discusses how architects balance business requirements, operational simplicity, and long-term scalability.  The episode also explores product development, the IETF, RFCs, and why understanding fundamentals still matters more than chasing the latest buzzwords.   A must-listen for network engineers interested in architecture, automation, or service provider networking.  Send us Fan Mail This episode has been sponsored by Meter.  Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now!  Support the show Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

  3. Jun 17 ·  Video

    From Network Engineer to Product Marketing: A Career Path for Communicators

    What happens when a network engineer realizes their biggest strength isn’t just technology, it’s communication? In this episode of The Art of Network Engineering, Andy Lapteff sits down with Patrick McCabe to discuss the transition from network engineering into product marketing and other vendor-side technical roles. Pat shares stories from: carrier-scale networking,tier 3 operational support,IPTV deployments at AT&T,systems engineering,sales,and eventually product marketing leadership.Together, they discuss: why some engineers naturally gravitate toward communication-focused roles,how soft skills accelerate technical careers,the realities of outages and operational burnout,the difference between engineering and product marketing mindsets,and why AI is changing how technical professionals work.This episode is especially relevant for engineers who enjoy: teaching,storytelling,customer interaction,content creation,mentoring,or translating technical complexity into business value.If you’ve ever wondered what comes after network operations, this conversation offers an honest look at one possible path forward. Topics discussed: Product marketing, vendor careers, systems engineering, AI, technical communication, networking careers, maintenance windows, IPTV, AT&T networking, soft skills, sales engineering, and career growth in IT. Send us Fan Mail This episode has been sponsored by Meter.  Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now!  Support the show Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

  4. Jun 3 ·  Video

    Networking for AI: Why Every Network Engineer Should Pay Attention in 2026

    AI infrastructure is reshaping networking faster than most engineers realize. In this episode, Andy Lapteff sits down with Scott Robohn to discuss why traditional network engineers should start paying attention to AI networking, GPU infrastructure, and the massive changes happening inside modern data centers. They explore: Why AI workloads are changing networking requirementsGPU networking and lossless EthernetEthernet vs InfiniBandThe rise of NeoCloud providersCo-Packaged Optics (CPO)Ultra Ethernet and emerging transport technologiesWhy AI infrastructure behaves like “one giant computer”How network engineers can start learning this technology todayThis conversation cuts through the hype and focuses on what actually matters for engineers trying to stay relevant as AI continues transforming the industry. Whether you're a traditional network operator, automation engineer, architect, or someone curious about the future of networking, this episode will help you understand where the industry is heading next. Guest: Scott Robohn https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottrobohn/ Connect with The Art of Network Engineering: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng Send us Fan Mail This episode has been sponsored by Meter.  Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now!  Support the show Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

  5. May 20 ·  Video

    Why Most Engineers Struggle to Build Visibility (And How to Change That)

    Andy Lapteff sits down in person with Tom Hollingsworth ahead of Networking Field Day 40 for a wide-ranging conversation about Tech Field Day, what makes a great delegate, how great technical conversations happen, and why curiosity remains one of the most important traits in networking. Tom shares the “secret sauce” behind Field Day: strong content, the right audience, and logistics that make the experience valuable for both vendors and delegates. Andy and Tom also discuss AI in networking, the difference between AI for infrastructure and infrastructure for AI, how new voices get discovered in the tech community, and why putting yourself out there can change the trajectory of your career. If you want to grow your presence in the networking industry or learn how to ask better technical questions, this episode is for you. Send us Fan Mail This episode has been sponsored by Meter.  Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now!  Support the show Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

  6. May 6

    Tech Careers Are Built on Relationships, Not Resumes

    In this episode, we break down why traditional job applications are failing and how networking communities like USNUA are becoming the fastest path to career growth in IT. You’ll learn:  Why applying online isn’t working  How real opportunities come from real conversations  Why community matters more than certifications You don’t get hired through applications. You get hired through people. If you want to grow your career, this is the shift you need to make. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

  7. Apr 22

    You Don’t Need Python Anymore: Hello World For AI

    For years, network engineers were told the same thing: “Learn Python… or fall behind.” But what if that’s no longer true? In this episode, we walk through a real Hello World for AI in networking: connecting an AI agent to NetBox using Model Context Protocol (MCP) and querying network data in natural language. No scripts. No Python expertise. Just results. This is a live, unfiltered build, from cloning a repo to debugging JSON to finally asking: “How many sites do I have in New York?” …and getting an answer instantly. What You’ll Learn:  Why Python is no longer the entry point to network automation  What MCP is and how it connects AI to your network  How to query NetBox using natural language  How AI handles tasks that used to require scripts  Where human-in-the-loop still matters Why This Matters: Most network engineers haven’t started automation, not because they don’t want to, but because the barrier felt too high. AI just lowered it. This episode shows you exactly where to start. Send us Fan Mail This episode has been sponsored by Meter.  Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now!  Support the show Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

  8. Apr 8

    Grow Your Career in 2026

    What does a network engineer actually make in 2025–2026? How do you ask for a raise without making it weird? And what's the single biggest thing holding your career back? We recorded this one live. This episode comes straight from the US Networking User Association PA Network User Group 2026 Spring Career Day — a standing-room-only event organized by USNUA in the Philadelphia area. Five talks. Five perspectives. All of it relevant to where you are right now in your career. Drew Conroy Murray from Packet Pushers kicks things off with highlights from their global salary survey — 418 respondents across 33 countries, with some genuinely surprising numbers around certifications, tools, and geographic salary gaps. Pat follows with a straightforward breakdown of how to build your case, time your ask, and walk out of a raise conversation with something — even if the answer is no. David takes it from there with a hard truth most engineers don't want to hear: being good at your job is the floor, not the ceiling. Visibility, advocacy, and knowing who has influence over your next move matters more than you think. Danny brings the career path conversation — why management isn't the only way up, why passion matters more than a title, and why finding your people changes everything. Andy closes with a personal story about unemployment, cognitive bias, and what it actually took to unlearn a decade of being anti-automation. Fair warning: it gets real. This is the kind of conversation that usually stays in the room. We're glad we got to record it. Topics covered: salary benchmarks, asking for a raise, promotion strategy, career pathing, network automation, cognitive bias, personal brand, soft skills Send us Fan Mail This episode has been sponsored by Meter.  Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now!  Support the show Find everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng

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4.7
out of 5
88 Ratings

About

The Art of Network Engineering blends technical insight with real-world stories from engineers, innovators, and IT pros. From data centers on cruise ships to rockets in space, we explore the people, tools, and trends shaping the future of networking, while keeping it authentic, practical, and human. We tell the human stories behind network engineering so every engineer feels seen, supported, and inspired to grow in a rapidly changing industry. For more information, check out https://linktr.ee/artofneteng 

Information

  • Creator
    Andy and Friends
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    205
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Art of Network Engineering
  • Show Website
    The Art of Network Engineering

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