Today, I watched the latest YouTube video by NetworkChuck.
He discussed how AI is affecting network engineers. It was really interesting — and it motivated me to continue my journey as a network engineer.
Of course, I’m facing some difficulties right now.
If you have any open positions for network engineers, please feel free to message me anytime. I’d really appreciate it.
I’m currently based in the UK.
Yes, I could join Amazon — I mean, Amazon Flex.
No joking. I’m serious.
Right now, I’m especially interested in data center networking and hyperscale networking for AI.
Regardless of the use case — whether it’s business, research, or something more creative like cryptocurrency — I find these areas fascinating.
Also, Internet route checking (RPKI again? Yes, definitely) is something I want to explore further.
On the topic of device deployment — automation, zero-touch provisioning, scripting, etc.:
Yes, scripting in Bash or Perl (SSH into the device, wait for a prompt, automate the commands) has been used for a long time. But today, there are many modern approaches: agents, tailored remote access methods, tunneling deployments, and more.
How do they compare? Which method is best?
Ansible? Python scripting? YAML? Network programming?
And… you prepare every configuration manually? (No way — maybe for 10,000+ devices?!)
OK, let’s step back. Here’s how it usually goes:
- Gather and analyze all requirements
- Define the needed solutions
- Prepare configurations
- Plan deployment and coordinate across multiple parties
So the question is: what can AI help with?
I asked ChatGPT about step 3 — configuration preparation and the best automation method.
It gave me this:
Use Case | Best Tool
--------------------------|--------------------------
First-time provisioning | 🟠 ZTP
Day-2 config, updates | 🟢 Ansible
Dynamic runtime scripting | 🔵 Python
You don’t have to choose just one — combining them leads to full end-to-end automation.
Great! But… what about the rest of the steps to complete a full solution?
Can AI help us with the entire plan?
I think this is how you should approach it:
- Analyze the requirements in detail
- Identify what the solution needs
- Prepare the configurations
- Design the deployment plan
You’d need to provide AI with a comprehensive scope of work, and then ask it to generate a plan.
But can you trust it?
YOU need to verify all outputs from AI.
YOU need to plan the project timeline and human resources.
YOU need to review the configurations generated by AI carefully.
If you don’t know networking, project planning, or resource management — how would you even do that?
That’s why:
YOU = Network Engineer, Network Project Manager
We’re always learning new things. AI is becoming a great assistant, but right now, we shouldn’t fully trust it without verification.
As I said before:
Can AI operate the Internet?
Well… that depends on how the AI is designed to manage networks, and which parts of the network it’s capable of operating.
Discussion continues…