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We’re kicking off a brand-new “Python Study Sessions” series—learn right alongside host Andy Lapteff as he starts from absolute basics and builds momentum one concept at a time. In this first session, Andy walks through the installation of Python, setting up VS Code, running “Hello, world,” and getting comfortable with the Python REPL. Then we dive into fundamentals you’ll use everywhere: variables, print(), syntax highlighting, saving/running files, common traceback errors, and simple debugging in VS Code. This series is inspired by learning in public—join the community, ask questions, and study together as we work through Python Crash Course (3rd ed.). If you liked our recent, more technical BGP episode, you’ll love where this is headed.

What you’ll learn

• Installing Python 3 and launching the interpreter
• Writing and running your first script in VS Code
• Variables 101: assignment, reassignment, and printing values
• Reading tracebacks and fixing name/syntax errors
• Beginner mindset tips for sticking with code

We’ll stream future sessions and continue to publish the audio here. Want to follow along live, ask questions, or share your wins? Watch for stream announcements on our socials: @ArtOfNetEng.

If this format helps you, tell us—rate the show, leave a comment, or share with a friend who’s been meaning to learn Python. Your feedback decides if we keep this series going.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and click the notification icon to get notified of our free Python Party Livestreams, where we learn Python fundamentals together: https://www.youtube.com/@artofneteng

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FREE Learn to Code for network engineers course:
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Study Streams:
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BGP isn’t just “the internet’s protocol”—it’s the most flexible policy engine in networking. In this episode of The Art of Network Engineering, Andy Lapteff and Jeff Clark sit down with Kevin Myers (aka StubArea51) to unpack Border Gateway Protocol from the ground up: why BGP replaced EGP, how policy differs from IGP topology, and where iBGP shines inside modern enterprises.

You’ll hear practical patterns for BGP communities (standard, extended, and large), how to tag and filter at scale, and why this beats sprawling prefix lists and brittle ACLs. Kevin walks through real merger scenarios—solving overlapping RFC1918 space with communities, when to NAT vs. renumber, and why IPv6 is a secret weapon for management domains. We also cover iBGP loop prevention, route reflectors vs. full-mesh, the attributes that actually matter (local-pref > weight/MED in most shops), and how SD-WAN leans on BGP under the hood.

If you’ve ever wondered why BGP ended up everywhere—WAN, SD-WAN, and even data centers—this conversation connects the dots with clear, battle-tested examples.

This episode has been sponsored by Meter. 

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What happens when a farm kid with a knack for taking things apart discovers computers? Meet Tom Lawrence, the tech polymath behind Lawrence Systems and a YouTube channel with over 375,000 subscribers. In this engaging conversation, Tom reveals how his curiosity-driven journey from 1990s Linux enthusiast to MSP owner and content creator was fueled by a simple philosophy: lead with value.

Tom's approach stands in refreshing contrast to typical marketing strategies. "People remember people who helped them, not people who threw them in a sales funnel," he explains, detailing how his comprehensive, no-holds-barred tutorials naturally generate business leads without ever feeling like advertisements. This generosity extends to his forums, where he freely shares configurations, news sources, and technical solutions with a community of over 80,000 weekly visitors.

The discussion takes fascinating turns through cybersecurity landscapes, self-hosted AI, and the privacy culture within hacker communities. Tom breaks down complex topics with remarkable clarity – from the security implications of passkeys to the advantages of running language models locally rather than relying on cloud services. His practical advice is grounded in real-world experience: "I only do freebies for immediate family," he laughs, offering wisdom on setting boundaries as a tech professional.

Whether you're considering a career in cybersecurity, looking to understand the business side of technology, or simply fascinated by the evolution of computing, Tom's story demonstrates how technical expertise combined with genuine helpfulness creates a formula for success in the digital age. Discover why this self-described "generalist" has become one of the most trusted voices in technical education and what his journey reveals about the future of IT.

This episode has been sponsored by Meter. 

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From refinancing a car to attend Novell School to founding one of networking's most influential podcasts, Ethan Banks shares his remarkable journey through the evolution of network engineering with raw honesty and deep insight.

In this captivating conversation, Ethan takes us back to the mid-90s when networks ran on a patchwork of protocols like IPX, DeckNet, and AppleTalk, before the industry consolidated around IP. His career trajectory mirrors the transformation of networking itself—constantly adapting, expanding in scope, and requiring an ever-broader skill set.

The story behind Packet Pushers reveals the grind of content creation that many never see. Starting in 2010 when podcasting was still emerging, Ethan and co-founder Greg Farrow recorded remotely (Ethan in the US, Greg in England) while working full-time jobs. Their philosophy of "just hit publish" and focus on consistent, quality content built a community when network engineers often felt isolated in their roles. Five years of this double workload culminated in taking the leap to full-time podcasting in 2015.

What makes this episode especially valuable is Ethan's perspective on where networking is heading. Today's engineers need to understand not just routing and switching, but cloud architecture, cybersecurity, automation, and software development principles. While certifications like CCNA still provide foundational knowledge, Ethan emphasizes understanding the "why" behind networking decisions rather than just memorizing commands.

For aspiring content creators, Ethan offers encouraging wisdom: don't be intimidated by existing content. Your unique perspective and communication style will connect with people in ways others can't. Creating technical content also forces deeper understanding, revealing knowledge gaps you might not have recognized otherwise.

Join our community at linktree.com/artofneteng and visit our Discord "It’s All About the Journey" to continue the conversation about career development, content creation, and navigating the future of networking.

This episode has been sponsored by Meter. 

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Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes of a tech podcast? From planning to publishing, this episode lifts the veil on the entire content creation process that powers The Art of Network Engineering.

The journey begins with planning—far from simply hitting record and talking, successful episodes require thoughtful topic selection, guest coordination, and scheduling. We reveal how project management tools like Asana help organize our workflow, and share how AI assists with generating fresh topics after 170+ episodes. You'll discover the exact hardware setup we use, from professional microphones to lighting equipment, and learn which recording platforms deliver the best results for remote guests.

Post-production might seem intimidating, but we break down our approach to editing, sharing both premium solutions like Adobe Premiere Pro and free alternatives like DaVinci Resolve. You'll learn about specialized tools that automatically remove silence and enhance audio quality, dramatically reducing editing time while improving listener experience. We also discuss the importance of visually appealing thumbnails and how Canva makes graphic design accessible to non-designers.

Most importantly, we emphasize why creating content matters for your career. As Jeff shares, his early "Tech Tip Tuesday" videos helped him land his first IT job despite lacking traditional experience. Whether you're establishing credibility, demonstrating communication skills, or building community, content creation provides unique opportunities to advance professionally. The best part? You don't need expensive equipment or years of experience to begin—just start with what you have and allow yourself to grow.

Ready to launch your own content journey? Connect with us on Discord, LinkedIn or other social platforms—we're always happy to help fellow creators get started!

This episode has been sponsored by Meter. 

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Have you ever wondered what happens when the networks we build leave Earth's atmosphere? In this mind-expanding conversation with Lexi Cooper, Network Integration Engineer at Blue Origin, we explore the extraordinary world of rocket networking and witness firsthand the emotional impact of watching your work launch into orbit.

Lexi's journey defies conventional career paths—from hating her previous job to discovering networking at community college, live streaming her CCNA studies on Twitch, and landing at Blue Origin through what she calls "pure luck" when someone noticed her social media posts about BGP. Her story proves that intellectual curiosity and a willingness to learn publicly can propel careers to literal new heights.

We dive deep into the unique challenges of aerospace networking that terrestrial engineers rarely consider: the weight constraints that limit redundancy options, the extreme temperature fluctuations without air cooling, radiation testing for components, and the absolute necessity for deterministic networking when human intervention is impossible after launch. Lexi explains how every engineering decision becomes a complex risk assessment when the stakes include billion-dollar missions.

For aspiring rocket network engineers, Lexi offers invaluable advice: master networking fundamentals through certifications like CCNA, don't be intimidated by seemingly impossible job requirements, and develop a deeper understanding of the lower networking layers most engineers never explore. She emphasizes that no one is ever fully qualified for these unique roles—what matters most is demonstrating passion, adaptability, and a relentless desire to understand how things work.

Ready to expand your professional horizons? Join us for this inspiring conversation that will change how you think about networking and perhaps open doors to career possibilities you never imagined. Whether you're looking to break into aerospace or simply seeking fresh perspectives on your current role, this episode delivers insights that transcend terrestrial boundaries.

This episode has been sponsored by Meter. 

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Drowning in digital clutter? You're not alone. In this practical deep-dive, Andy and Jeff share the productivity systems that have transformed their professional lives as network engineers.

We explore how Asana's Kanban-style boards create visual workflow management that prevents important tasks from falling through the cracks. Whether you're managing podcast production or complex network projects, seeing your work move from "ideas" to "completed" provides both clarity and satisfaction.

Knowledge management gets a critical examination as we contrast traditional tools like OneNote with newer Markdown-based systems like Obsidian. The key revelation? Portability matters. As your career evolves across different companies and platforms, keeping your accumulated knowledge accessible becomes increasingly important. We share practical strategies for ensuring your technical documentation remains both organized and retrievable regardless of where life takes you.

For visual thinkers, mind mapping emerges as a powerful solution for tackling complex problems. Andy demonstrates how transforming linear documentation into spatial relationships helped him decode complicated processes and organize complex content strategies. These visual frameworks provide an entirely different perspective on challenges that can feel overwhelming in traditional formats.

Perhaps most valuable is our discussion of task management simplification. Microsoft To-Do with a "brain dump" approach helps maintain focus amid overwhelming possibilities by extracting just three priority items each day from your master task list. This practical technique has proven transformative for managing both daily tasks and longer-term projects.

Whether you're struggling with note organization, project management, or simply finding focus amid information overload, this episode offers practical solutions you can implement immediately. The technology landscape constantly evolves, but with the right productivity system, you can transform information chaos into organized knowledge that supports both daily tasks and long-term career growth.

Join our Discord community at "It's All About the Journey" to continue the productivity discussion and share your own favorite tools and techniques!

This episode has been sponsored by Meter. 

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Beyond the sundecks and buffet lines lies a technological marvel most cruise passengers never consider - the complex network infrastructure keeping these floating cities connected and operational. In this fascinating conversation with Will Robbins, we dive deep into the unique challenges and solutions of maritime networking that blend hospitality technology with critical operational systems.

Have you ever wondered how thousands of cruisers can simultaneously post vacation photos from the middle of the ocean? Modern cruise ships deploy an impressive array of connectivity solutions - up to 15 separate connections including both traditional satellites and multiple Starlink antennas working in concert. This connectivity ballet must account for both the ship and satellites being in constant motion while managing variable weather conditions. The reduced latency of Starlink connections (150-250ms versus 500ms) has revolutionized the passenger experience, enabling video calls and remote work capabilities that were previously impossible.

What surprises most network professionals is the scale of onboard infrastructure. Each vessel houses a complete data center with 10-15 racks of equipment supporting everything from guest services to critical ship operations. These floating data centers must function independently since cloud-based applications would be unreliable with satellite connections. Adding to the complexity, the all-metal construction creates wireless challenges requiring thousands of access points while radar systems limit available wireless frequencies. 

The conversation explores security considerations unique to maritime environments, including the practice of using different networking vendors across ships to prevent fleet-wide vulnerabilities. We also examine how these networks prioritize traffic, with casino operations receiving highest priority as major revenue generators. Whether you're a networking professional curious about specialized environments or a cruise enthusiast wondering how your vacation technology works, this episode offers rare insights into the engineering behind modern maritime adventures. Ready to see cruise ships through entirely new eyes?

This episode has been sponsored by Meter. 

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Artificial intelligence isn't just a buzzword anymore. It's fundamentally changing how we approach networking and IT infrastructure. In the inaugural "Whitreboard Wednesday episode, Jeff Clark joins Andy to demonstrate practical AI applications that are transforming everyday tasks for network engineers.

Jeff walks through powerful tools like Google's Notebook LM, which creates comprehensive mind maps from your content, making connections you might never notice on your own. The demonstrations are stunning: an AI that can look at a simple network diagram and generate perfect configuration files for Fortinet devices within minutes, or create an interactive resume website complete with working features in less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee.

What makes this conversation especially compelling is Andy's journey from AI skeptic to enthusiast. Like many professionals, he initially feared AI would replace rather than enhance human capabilities. Now he's leveraging these tools to build his own SaaS product with minimal coding knowledge—something that would have required a team of developers and substantial funding just a few years ago.

The hosts don't shy away from discussing legitimate concerns either. As a security professional, Jeff highlights the risks of feeding proprietary information into public AI systems and explains how organizations are navigating these challenges through internal tools and proper guardrails.

Whether you're an AI novice or have been experimenting with these tools for months, this episode offers practical insights you can immediately apply to your workflow. As Jeff points out, understanding AI isn't just about keeping up with technology—it's about ensuring your skills remain relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Ready to multiply your productivity and unlock new possibilities? Check out our YouTube channel to see these demonstrations in action and join our Discord community to continue the conversation about how AI is reshaping our profession.

This episode has been sponsored by Meter. 

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The networking industry stands at a crossroads where traditional command-line mastery meets modern automation requirements. Few professionals embody this intersection better than Muna Chimso, a Network Automation Engineer at Google who joins us to share his remarkable journey and insights.

Muna's story begins in Nigeria, where fixing his mother's phone sparked an early interest in technology. After moving to the United States in 2018 to study Computer Networking and IT, he made a critical observation that would shape his career path: while he loved networking fundamentals, the job market increasingly demanded coding skills even for networking positions. Rather than choosing between his passion for networking and the industry's direction toward software, Muna embraced both, building a rare and valuable skill set that combines deep networking knowledge with programming expertise.

What makes Muna's perspective particularly valuable is his unique vantage point as a young professional who entered the field with fresh eyes. He shares how Google's Network Residency Program brings new graduates into the networking world, addressing the challenge of attracting young talent to a field often overshadowed by pure software engineering roles. We explore the evolving relationship between network engineers and developers, with fascinating insights into how companies are bridging this gap, from pairing traditional engineers with developers to incentivizing networking professionals to learn coding through bonuses and recognition programs.

The conversation takes a thought-provoking turn when Muna suggests that the future of network engineering isn't about memorizing commands but understanding complex systems at scale. "You won't need to type a BGP command anymore," he notes, highlighting how the value of network professionals is shifting from configuration expertise to systems thinking and problem-solving abilities. While automation and AI handle increasingly complex tasks, the human element remains irreplaceable for understanding business problems and designing appropriate solutions.

Whether you're a seasoned network veteran considering how to evolve your skills, a student wondering which path to pursue, or a technology leader building teams for the future, this episode offers invaluable insights into the convergence of networking and software development. Subscribe now and join our community at linktree.com/artofneteng to continue the conversation!

This episode has been sponsored by Meter. 

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