Notes from the field.

Long-form writing on career, automation, AI, and the practical realities of running networks.

Apr 22, 2026

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

For years, the message was clear: if you want to automate, learn Python. AI changed the entry point — and that matters more than Python ever did.

Apr 7, 2026

The Career Advice No One Tells Network Engineers

Working harder doesn't guarantee a promotion, being technical doesn't guarantee higher pay, and staying loyal doesn't guarantee anything — so how do we grow our careers?

Mar 24, 2026

You're Solving the Wrong Problem

Most network engineers pride themselves on solving problems — but what if the real issue isn't how you're solving the problem, but that you're solving the wrong one entirely?

Mar 10, 2026

Wi-Fi 7 for Network Engineers: What It Is, Why It Matters, and Who Actually Needs It

Wireless has always had a different vibe than traditional networking — here's what Wi-Fi 7 changes, what problems it solves, and whether it matters in the real world.

Feb 24, 2026

The ABCs of AI for Network Engineers

Network engineers have earned their skepticism — but AI is finally crossing from interesting to operational, and the difference isn't the hype. It's the plumbing.

Feb 10, 2026

Life-Saving Networks at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude's mission shapes every operational decision across the organization, including IT — creating a different kind of motivation for the engineers running their network.

Jan 27, 2026

Learn to Code with AI

If you're a network engineer who's tried to learn Python and struggled, you're not alone — and AI changes both the opportunity and the risk.

Jan 13, 2026

Why Projects Fail (and Why It's Usually Not the Tech)

Most projects don't fail because the technology is too hard. They fail because the people system breaks.

Dec 30, 2025

Communication is a Super Power

Technical skills will get you in the room. Communication skills determine whether your ideas survive once you're there.

Dec 16, 2025

Why Routing Protocol Choice Still Matters

RIP, EIGRP, OSPF, BGP — they all work. So does it matter how packets get from point A to point B? A conversation with Russ White and Michael Bushong about IS-IS, architecture, and what our industry traded away.

Dec 2, 2025

Building the Right Network

Andy Lapteff and Kevin Myers on why too many networks are built backwards — and how to reverse the approach by starting with the problem instead of the gear.

Nov 18, 2025

Cloudy Keynotes, Clear Context

Public cloud is amazing. It's also not magic. Resiliency myths, public speaking wins, and why MCP matters for NetOps.

Nov 4, 2025

Learn The Business

If you can't map your work to the business's priorities, your best ideas die in the hallway. Here are the ways engineering types self-sabotage their careers.

Oct 21, 2025

Learning Out Loud

Lexie Cooper and Andy Lapteff on learning in public, hands-on lab experimentation, streaming platforms, career pressures in networking, and automation in the industry.

Oct 7, 2025

Python Party II: Struggling, Labbing, and Learning

Learning Python as a network engineer isn't easy. It's frustrating. It's humbling. And sometimes it's downright boring — but it's also necessary.