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.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 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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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.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 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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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.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 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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AONE Behind The Scenes
Send us a textEver 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!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 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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Rocket Networks Reach For The Stars
Send us a textHave 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.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 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
Ireland