Heavy Networking 692: Implementing Practical Network Automation – With Tony Bourke

If you’ve been staring down the barrel of network automation and wonder what the proper approach might be, today’s episode is for you. I’m chatting with Tony Bourke about what network automation tools and techniques have become the default standard. Now that we’ve got a few years of network automation behind us, what are the key approaches most people take? Don’t get me wrong. It’s not one size fits all. It never is. “It depends” applies to network automation just as much as with any other technical domain. But there’s enough predictability in what most folks are doing to get you pointed in the right direction. Tony and I touch on when you need to consider network automation, the stages of network automation (how deep into it you’re getting), the concepts of continuous integration and continuous delivery, open source and vendor-specific automation tools, and how to prepare your network–and your organization–for automation. We discuss: * The current state of network automation * What’s driving network automation * Common tools being used * Whether you need a CI/CD pipeline * Training * More Sponsor: Paessler You probably don’t think about infrastructure monitoring often, but it’s one of your most important decisions as an IT professional. Get your monitoring hosted in the cloud with Paessler PRTG Hosted Monitor, now with 50% off monthly subscriptions for new customers for the first three months. Go to Prtg.com and use the promo code “packetpushers.” Show Links: @tbourke – Tony Bourke on Twitter Tony Bourke on YouTube Data Center Overlords – Tony’s blog Ansible 101 Course With Jeff Geerling – YouTube Ansible For Network Automation – Packet Pushers YouTube

Om Podcasten

Heavy Networking is an unabashedly nerdy dive into all things networking. Described by one listener as "verbal white papers," the weekly episodes feature network engineers, industry experts, and vendors sharing useful information to keep your professional knowledge sharp and your career growing. Hosts Greg Ferro, Ethan Banks and Drew Conry-Murray cut through the marketing spin to explore what works—and what doesn't—in networking today, while keeping an eye on what's ahead for the industry. On air since 2010, Heavy Networking is the flagship show of the Packet Pushers podcast network.