AutoCon 4 Update: Thursday Tracks!
The next step we’re taking is to provide an additional day of content on Thursday at AC4. We’re excited about how this is going to enable us to respond to two areas that you’ve requested: Leadership & Management topics and more Advanced topics.
Documentation as Code for Network Automation
Documentation in network automation isn't just about checking boxes, it's about creating a system that scales with your infrastructure and actually helps your team operate more effectively. Drawn from a recent conversation among seasoned engineers in the NAF community, here are some practical insights that should help when you're knee-deep in a complex project with "lots of moving parts."
AutoCon 3 Prague: A Thriving Community Continues to Evolve
AutoCon 3 brought together over 600 network automation professionals in the beautiful city of Prague for an exceptional week of workshops and conference sessions. The feedback from our post-event surveys tells the story of a thriving community that continues to grow, learn, and push the boundaries of what's possible in network automation.
From Panic to Process: Network Validation in the Wild
Network validation during deployments remains one of the most critical—and challenging—aspects of network automation. This article reveals the diverse approaches engineers are taking; from manual checks to automated systems.
From Scripts to Production
There's a massive gap between having a working script on your laptop and deploying something that non-programmers can safely use in production.
Network Automation Trade-offs: Build, Buy, or Blend?
Whether you build, buy, or blend, successful network automation requires skilled practitioners who understand both the technical and business dimensions of your automation challenges.
Campus Network Automation: Reality Check
Is campus network automation just vaporware? The Network Automation Forum (NAF) community weighs in.
Bootstrapping Network Automation: The Talent Equation
Insights from a recent discussion among Network Automation Forum (NAF) community members about the challenges organizations face when building effective network automation capabilities - and how to solve them.
Are Network Engineers Addicted to the CLI?
In the networking community, there's ongoing debate about the role of Command Line Interfaces (CLIs) in network operations. A recent discussion in the Network Automation Forum (NAF) Slack channel explored whether network engineers are "addicted" to the CLI - either through process familiarity or nostalgia. This blog post summarizes the key insights shared by various community members.
Meet the 2025 NAF Advisory Board
We’re pleased to introduce the 2025 class of the NAF Advisory Board (AB). The AB is critical for reviewing presentation and workshop proposals for AutoCon events, serving as a sounding board for ideas and questions regarding NAF activities and direction, and leading by example in the NAF community.
AutoCon 2 Highlights: Building Connections and Advancing Network Automation
AutoCon has solidified its place as a premier event for advancing network automation and fostering professional growth. AutoCon 2 reaffirmed the importance of building a supportive and evolving community to drive network automation adoption. The event provided a platform for meaningful connections, practical learning, and shared inspiration. Attendees left with renewed enthusiasm, new ideas, and a stronger sense of direction, ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead.