Re: Perhaps it's time to think about enhancements to the NANOG list...?

[Eric Kuhnke <eric.kuhnke () gmail com>]

It's one thing to use a GUI tool when it's convenient and quick. I think
anyone that's ever experienced setting up a Unifi controller would probably
prefer provisioning a new 802.11ac AP from the GUI rather than doing it
manually at a command line.

But it's another thing to consider that we have a whole new generation of
people who *don't know and don't care* what's going underneath the GUI and
might not be able to do anything with the OS running on bare metal, if they
have to.

If we intend to abstract away configuring devices to a GUI level only and
not care about what's going on under the hood, then it's time for everyone
to just run out and renew their MCSE certifications and buy Meraki
subscriptions.



On Sat, Mar 20, 2021 at 6:35 PM David Siegel <arizonagull () gmail com> wrote:

> ...not to mention that all mature networks are moving more towards GUI
> front ends for their automated network.  As the complexity of a network
> increases, CLI access becomes considerably more risky.
>
> The idea that "real engineers use the CLI" is dinosaur thinking that will
> eventually land those with that philosophy out of a job.  Just my personal
> $.02 (though I'm certainly not alone in my opinion).
>
> But I'd like to reiterate that the board's goal with modernization is not
> to alienate anyone from the existing community by forcing them into a
> web-interface.  Discourse is under evaluation, and if it doesn't accomplish
> the goal we'll try something else or build our own tool.
>
> Dave
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Mar 20, 2021 at 6:52 PM Matthew Petach <mpetach () netflight com>
> wrote:
>
> > On Sat, Mar 20, 2021 at 5:13 PM scott <surfer () mauigateway com> wrote:
> > [...]
> >
> > >  Of course, one would
> > > not find an HTTP GUI on the bigger networks dealt with on this list;
> > > only on the tiny networks.  So they're beginning learners and are, of
> > > course, welcome.  They will lean a lot, just as I did in the early days
> > > and do every day now days.
> >
> > [...]
> >
> > > scott
> >
> > Let's see...
> > Google: Gmail
> > Microsoft: Hotmail/Outlook/Office365
> > Yahoo/VerizonMedia: Yahoo Mail
> >
> > I'd have to say, there's some pretty big networks on this list that
> > use HTTP GUIs for their email.
> >
> > Of course, you might be big enough that you look down on the
> > networks of Google, Microsoft, and VZM as "tiny networks" -- in
> > which case, you're definitely entitled to your opinion, as all 8000
> > pound gorillas that look down on the puny 800 lb gorillas are.  ;)
> >
> > Matt