The Everything Feed - All Packet Pushers Pods NAN112: Inside the CU Boulder Network Engineering Master’s Program
Jan 28, 2026
Two CU Boulder grads describe hands-on labs, data center access, and realistic failure tests that build troubleshooting muscle. They discuss using emulators and tools like Container Labs and Netmiko to practice automation. Career tips include a 'seven plus one' learning rule and the value of asking simple questions. They also highlight AI-driven networking and automating networks for AI workloads.
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Hands-On Learning Builds Muscle Memory
- Learn by doing: Sneha emphasizes hands-on labs and access to real data center hardware to build troubleshooting muscle memory.
- Build a home lab or use shared lab access to safely break and fix systems before touching production.
Start With Packet-Level Fundamentals
- Start with fundamentals: Saran and Sneha recommend tracing a packet from your laptop to a server to learn core networking behavior.
- Use tools like GNS3, Containerlab, and online tutorials to practice fundamentals safely.
Reserve Regular Time For Self-Learning
- Use a 'seven plus one' rule: spend most time on your job and reserve regular time for self-learning unrelated to daily tasks.
- Explore open source tools during that time so you can introduce transferable solutions at work.
