nanog mailing list archives
RE: Programmers with network engineering skills
From: "Holmes,David A" <dholmes () mwdh2o com>
Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:26:18 -0800
Yes, a theoretical understanding of algorithms is a common element in programming and networking. But the thread seems to assume that highly capable programmers/network engineers are mere serfs, unable to forge their own destiny, at the beck and call of whomever they work for, instead of independent beings who are doing what they are doing because they like it and choose to continue doing so, even at the expense of foregoing substantial financial gain. -----Original Message----- From: Daniel Schauenberg [mailto:d () unwiredcouch com] Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 7:09 PM To: Randy Bush Cc: Holmes,David A; North American Network Operators' Group Subject: Re: Programmers with network engineering skills
a real programmer can be productive in networking tools in a matter of a month or two. i have seen it multiple times. a networker can become a useful real progammer in a year or three.
Thank you! I always wonder when someone distinguishes between a networker and a programmer as if they came from completely different worlds. I find these fields to be highly related. They are algorithmic at the core and you need a good understanding of architecture and design to successfully make the concepts work. If you have ever tried to find a bug in a badly structured network, you should be able to understand that implementing all of your application's use cases in one module is not a good idea. After implementing a good serialization scheme for your class data, network protocols are not that strange anymore (I know I'm exaggerating on simple examples here, but I hope the idea comes across). My point is, if someone has a good understanding of applying architectural patterns to a problem and isolating error causes while debugging, it shouldn't matter if he wrote mostly software the last years or if she administered a large scale network. A good sysadmin can learn to write software and a good programmer can learn to love the datacenter. This communication, together with any attachments or embedded links, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is confidential or legally protected. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution or use of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail message and delete the original and all copies of the communication, along with any attachments or embedded links, from your system.
Current thread:
- RE: Programmers with network engineering skills, (continued)
- RE: Programmers with network engineering skills Brandt, Ralph (Feb 27)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills Owen DeLong (Feb 27)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills david raistrick (Feb 27)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills Owen DeLong (Feb 27)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills Michael Hallgren (Feb 27)
- RE: Programmers with network engineering skills Holmes,David A (Feb 27)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills Randy Bush (Feb 27)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills Michael Thomas (Feb 27)
- RE: Programmers with network engineering skills Holmes,David A (Feb 27)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills Daniel Schauenberg (Feb 27)
- RE: Programmers with network engineering skills Holmes,David A (Feb 27)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills Owen DeLong (Feb 27)
- RE: Programmers with network engineering skills Brandt, Ralph (Feb 27)
- RE: Programmers with network engineering skills Brandt, Ralph (Feb 28)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills Owen DeLong (Feb 28)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills Lamar Owen (Feb 28)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills Jay Ashworth (Feb 27)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills Doug Barton (Feb 27)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills Doug Barton (Feb 27)
- RE: Programmers with network engineering skills Jared Newell (Feb 27)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills William Herrin (Feb 27)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills Rodrick Brown (Feb 27)
- Re: Programmers with network engineering skills Jason Bertoch (Feb 27)