Is Network Automation Worth the Struggle?

The Art of Network Engineering

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Network automation remains one of the most polarizing topics in our industry. Despite years of being told it will revolutionize our work, actual adoption rates hover around a dismal 20-30%. Why the resistance? And is there finally a path forward that makes sense for everyday network engineers?
In this candid conversation with Jeff Clark and Colin Doyle, we dive deep into the psychological and practical barriers that keep most engineers firmly rooted in traditional networking practices. Jeff shares how his "selfish automation" approach transformed a tedious 15-minute ticket process into a 30-second task, while Colin explores how modern intent-based networking is fundamentally changing what network automation means.
The truth emerges that resistance isn't just about technical challenges—it's about cognitive biases like loss aversion and fear of job displacement. We confront the paradox that many engineers chose networking specifically to avoid coding, only to find programming skills becoming increasingly essential for career advancement.
What makes this conversation different is our focus on practical, accessible starting points rather than theoretical ideals. You'll learn why small, personal projects that solve your immediate problems are the gateway to building automation skills, and how communities of practice can provide the support and accountability needed to progress.
Whether you're automation-curious or automation-resistant, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on how to approach this inevitable shift in our field. The future of networking isn't about replacing engineers with code—it's about freeing engineers to focus on what matters most.

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Chapters

1. Welcome and Introduction (00:00:00)

2. The Failed Promise of Network Automation (00:02:14)

3. Automation Already Around Us (00:08:03)

4. Technical Debt and Implementation Challenges (00:17:16)

5. The Ticket Tool Success Story (00:31:23)

6. Psychological Barriers to Automation (00:43:38)

7. Starting Small with Automation (00:54:39)

8. Concluding Thoughts and Resources (01:01:18)

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