CCNA or Python? Developer or Network Engineer? How about a machine augmented network engineer!?

Networking is changing! Questions I often receive are "should I learn python?" or "should I still study for CCNA?"; or "should I study for CCNA or Python?". I think you should study both! Learn networking. Learn programming. Become a machine augmented network engineer.

[davidbombal]

Please note: I had my reservations about using a political figure in the videos. However, Barack Obama's words spoken at NASA fit very nicely with the video - especially with the ending (watch to see what I mean). My videos are technical and are not meant to be political in any way - please do not take them as such. There are plenty of political YouTube channels out there, but this is not one of them. This is a technical networking channel and I do not discuss matters regarding the Queen, the UK parliament, the prime minster, Brexit or the price of bread on this channel (or the politics of any other country). Please do not make political comments on this channel, but feel free to discuss GNS3, programming, networking and other relevant networking topics. All non-relevant comments will be removed.

[noname]

It's simple. Learn both Python AND CCNA/CCNP/CCIE. I use Python for penetration testing, and networking tasks. Learn both. You do not need to know EVERYTHING about Python, jut learn it in terms of your job and tasks. It will make learning the language easier, and the information will stick better.

[kenmurphy]

I think we all need to remain realistic as Network Engineers. You still need to understand how a network works regardless of whether you automate or not. And I wouldn't take much stock in recruiters or LinkedIn for that matter. Recruiters haven't a clue what's required in the real world. Yes it's important to learn about virtualization, docker, yang, yaml, Ansible, Python etc., But at the end of the day we still have standard non SDN driven networks in 90% of the environments out there and we still need to fix these when they break.

[kairoswave]

I am in good timing! I know Python, JavaScript, PHP, Git and Github, Kali Linux, And I am currently studying for my CCNA Certificate :)

[aleterra]

:) I cannot stop laughing, I love how you deliver content and mix speeches, movie scenes with your content.

[UltraGaivalas]

Videos like this always boost my motivation to continue learning. David Bombal - bravo!

[johnmoore]

I totally accept that. I wore a python script for automating the process of firmware upgrading process of VoIP phones for the company that I am working as an network engineer (intern). They really appreciate that. Cheers John

[SammyOmari]

I want to become a network administrator, by learning learning cisco ccna and microsft server is that a good place to start with or I should instead learn linux because I have seen many job description recommending microsoft servers

[qwertyx]

its like stacking another layer on our armor of network engineers. it is exciting more opportunities for us.

[charlesmagno]

I'm working as a helpdesk remote support for a few years now, I'm interested in Cybersecurity and Network Operations, I want to have a work anywhere/home kind of lifestyle but wants to upgrade my skills. (and pay). What certification or courses do you recommend? If you currrently have this job (you reading it) hope to get some advise. Thank you!

[ronpearson]

I am learning C first since I am a duel disaplined engineer and C applies to both chemical/process engineering and electrical/networking. I am noticing that C, VB and Python are not hugely different.

Also someone still has to build out the original CLI for your network before you can automate its deployment. Base fundamentals cant be disrupted.

[programmingjava]

Professor David, I agree strongly with you that network engineer will go in automation, programming, software, network engineering are in danger for their carrier if they not learn programming. i wish you all the best

[sawonbhowmik]

Sir I have already given cisco sp sw code jam for c linux l2 l3 development and hoping to get into cisco...I am a fresher and don't have working knowledge of programming skills are good in C and Python...sir what should I need to prepare before the interview....please help....

[campagnollo]

David, I'm feeling a little frustrated about merging Python and networking. Contrary to most network engineers, I welcome it; CS grad. But utilizing it has been hard. Been stuck in NOC positions that won't allow programming. Not sure how to expand this very special skill set.

[danieldeleon]

I currently pursuing CCNP Router and Swictching. After I watch your videos about " The CLI is dead" I am starting my python studies every 1 hour in a day.. Hope I can mix it all in. Thank you David for these motivational videos

[collinsa]

as a programmer i'm curious about networking. How long would it take me to gain the certs -ccna, ccnp etc

[federicoforresu]

Hi David, I've just bought one Ccna course and one phyton corse, which one should I start with? My target is cybersecurity career which involves networking too. Thank you very much!

[patrickukponu]

What books do you recommend for learning python with respect to networking

[azizlebbad]

Thanks David for this great video, I am so motivated for learning, thank you so much.

[philiprhome]

even puppet and chef are old and lost many companies are migrating toward ansible, ansible is great especially that it's open source, developed using python, very easy to install and configure and uses yaml manifests and SSH for communication
virtualization is a good thing to learn but also outshined by containerization, containeres are 10 times smaller in size, faster and easier to develop and deploy
finally, i read in many sources that freebsd has better networking performance than linux and that justify the reason behind it adoption by Netflix