Send us a textThis episode has been sponsored by Meter. Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now! You can support the show at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2127872/support or from the "Support The Show" link at https://linktr.ee/artofneteng. Thanks for listening and for your continued support :)Support the showFind everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng
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1:39:41
Python Party - Episode 1
Send us a textWe’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 learnInstalling Python 3 and launching the interpreterWriting and running your first script in VS CodeVariables 101: assignment, reassignment, and printing valuesReading tracebacks and fixing name/syntax errorsBeginner mindset tips for sticking with codeWe’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/@artofnetenghttps://www.youtube.com/@erika_thedev FREE Learn to Code for network engineers course:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvfm4aNXLC8wiJs-YGVQXUwukv06z5NJS&si=EqTVV_57fkfHCpP_https://www.youtube.com/@TracketpacerStudy Streams:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj0DbZdkhZoc8t3X98tjB4lfKMRgq03LI&si=bJ9t1tM_3cmJwesRSupport the show:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2127872/supportThis episode has been sponsored by Meter. Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now! You can support the show at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2127872/support or from the "Support The Show" link at https://linktr.ee/artofneteng. Thanks for listening and for your continued support :)Support the showFind everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng
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What is BGP?
Send us a textBGP 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. Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now! You can support the show at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2127872/support or from the "Support The Show" link at https://linktr.ee/artofneteng. Thanks for listening and for your continued support :)Support the showFind everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng
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1:12:12
Tom Lawrence: Building a Tech Empire by Leading with Value
Send us a textWhat 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. Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now! You can support the show at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2127872/support or from the "Support The Show" link at https://linktr.ee/artofneteng. Thanks for listening and for your continued support :)Support the showFind everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng
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1:09:21
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1:09:21
The Art of Pushing Packets, with Ethan Banks
Send us a textFrom 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. Go to meter.com/aone to book a demo now! You can support the show at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2127872/support or from the "Support The Show" link at https://linktr.ee/artofneteng. Thanks for listening and for your continued support :)Support the showFind everything AONE right here: https://linktr.ee/artofneteng
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
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