Heavy Networking HN807: A ‘CLI Lifer’ No More
Dec 8, 2025
In this discussion, Andy Lapteff, a former CLI lifer and now a product marketing manager, shares his transformative journey into network automation and programming. He recounts his initial resistance to coding and his evolution through various roles at major companies like Verizon and Comcast. Andy vividly describes the challenges of adopting automation, including the fears around job loss from AI. He also emphasizes the importance of storytelling in overcoming biases against automation and showcases his commitment to community learning through his podcast.
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Episode notes
Automation Tool Caused A Fabric Outage
- A colleague used a vendor automation tool without understanding it and wiped fabric configs, causing a seven-hour outage.
- That incident reinforced Andy's caution about automation's blast radius when practices aren't aligned.
Use Vendor Training And Pairing To Learn
- Accept training when leadership mandates automation and use vendor bootcamps and partners to upskill your team.
- Seek hands-on help and pair with experienced peers to accelerate practical learning.
Panic Attack In A Bootcamp
- Andy experienced a panic attack during a Python bootcamp amid merger pressure and heavy maintenance duties.
- Time pressure and stress made initial training emotionally overwhelming rather than educational.
