HN785: How To Take Your First Steps Into Network Automation

In this episode of Heavy Networking, Ethan Banks interviews Joseph Nicholson from NTT Data about his hands-on experience with network automation. Joseph discusses his journey into network automation, emphasizing the importance of iterative development and starting with small, manageable steps. He shares insights into collecting operational data from routers, including dealing with large configuration files and monitoring specific counters like Junos database size. The conversation covers the architecture he uses, involving Kafka, PMACCT, and Pivot UI for data processing and visualization, as well as his use of Ansible for router upgrades, detailing the transition from manual processes to automated workflows. Joseph also touches on his use of AI co-pilots like GitHub Copilot for coding, and the organizational approach to automation at NTT Data, where multiple teams contribute to automation efforts in their respective areas.