Network Automation Nerds

Packet Pushers

For engineers eager to learn about the art and science of network automation, with a special focus on Python.

  • 49 minutes 28 seconds
    NAN109: Simplify Your Network Operations with Extreme (Sponsored)
    Today Eric Chou dives deep into network automation and operational simplicity with guest Hardik Ajmera, VP of Product Management at Extreme Networks. In this sponsored episode, they talk about the ‘network fabric’, Extreme Platform ONE, and, of course, what’s next with AI in the world of enterprise networking. Hardik also shares how customers in complex... Read more »
    17 December 2025, 12:05 pm
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    NAN108: Perspectives, Hopes, and Challenges of Young Network Engineers
    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 »
    10 December 2025, 3:29 pm
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    NAN107: How AI is Changing the Networking Landscape
    The world of networking is changing at lightning speed thanks to AI. Today Eric sits down with Chris Kane to explore this new reality for network engineers.  Together, they dive deeper into some of the changes that will be coming next, breaking down the technical demands and mindset shifts of intellectual curiosity and humility necessary... Read more »
    26 November 2025, 4:30 pm
  • 44 minutes 49 seconds
    NAN106: Unimus: Network Automation By and For Network Engineers (Sponsored)
    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 »
    12 November 2025, 3:05 pm
  • 44 minutes 30 seconds
    NAN105: Campus Network Automation, Powered by Cisco Agentic Workflows (Sponsored)
    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 »
    5 November 2025, 3:20 pm
  • 57 minutes 53 seconds
    NAN104: The Art and Science of Writing a Network Automation Book
    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 »
    29 October 2025, 2:21 pm
  • 47 minutes 47 seconds
    NAN103: The Evolution of Multi-Cloud Networking
    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 »
    15 October 2025, 2:39 pm
  • 1 hour 1 second
    NAN102: Practical Applications for AI in Network Automation
    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 »
    1 October 2025, 2:03 pm
  • 52 minutes 21 seconds
    NAN101: Scaling Intel’s Data Centers with Network Automation (Sponsored)
    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 »
    24 September 2025, 2:04 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    NAN100: A Retrospective On 100 Episodes of Network Automation Nerds
    Network Automation Nerds has reached a special milestone: episode 100! Eric Chou looks back on 5 years of conversations with network automation pioneers, practitioners, and visionaries. Drew Conry-Murray from the Packet Pushers joins Eric, along with online guest Ioannis Theodoridis, to find out why Eric started the podcast, his goals for all these conversations, a... Read more »
    17 September 2025, 12:51 pm
  • 53 minutes 29 seconds
    NAN099: Bridging the Gap Between Innovative Tech and Everyday Users
    New technologies, tools, and innovations help move IT forward, but it can be hard for users to keep up. Network Automation Nerds welcomes guest William Collins, a dynamic force in the world of technology. As a passionate tech evangelist, he helps to bridge the gap between emerging technologies such as AI and everyday users with... Read more »
    3 September 2025, 4:15 pm
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