Christian Adell and Josh VanDeraa - Episode 153

Insights from Authors Christian Adell and Josh VanDeraa on "Modern Network Observability"

In this week's episode of The Route to Networking, our host George Barnes sat down with Christian Adell and Josh VanDeraa, co-authors of the book Modern Network Observability (published by Packt). This insightful resource is ideal for anyone interested in networking and promises to guide network engineers through the complexities of modern observability practices, from data collection to implementing scalable solutions.

Modern Network Observability is authored by David Flores, Christian Adell, and Josh VanDeraa, bringing together a wealth of expertise and practical insights for network engineers. George got to know more about Josh and Christian, their journey into networking, challenges, and their thoughts on the future ahead.

Meet the Authors

Josh VanDeraa brings over 20 years of experience to the table, beginning his journey in high school with a fascination for servers and networks, which led him to major in networking. His career has spanned support roles and deep dives into network communication protocols.

Christian Adell started with a passion for problem-solving, leading him to engineering and computer science. Networking appealed to him because of its focus on programmability and protocols, and his career has encompassed network architecture, DevOps, and roles at major players like Cisco.

Balancing Writing and Working: A Challenge of Geography and Time

Josh and Christian spoke about the challenges of writing a technical book while managing day-to-day work, especially with both authors in different time zones. Christian, already a seasoned author on his fourth book, starts his day at 5 a.m. to carve out time for learning and writing. For Josh, with three young children, evenings proved more productive. Despite the time difference, they found a rhythm — as Christian would start his day, Josh would often be winding down his.

Advice for Aspiring Writers: Start Small, Keep It Simple

When asked about advice for new writers, both authors emphasised that writing doesn't have to be overwhelming. Josh recommends starting with a high-level outline and dedicating just 30 minutes a day to the process, stressing that writing should be concise to make the reader’s experience more efficient. Christian shared that overcoming the language barrier was initially daunting, but technical writing becomes easier with practice.

Observability in Networking: Key Concepts and Challenges

The discussion delved into the principles of observability and its importance in modern network management. Christian outlined the core pillars of observability. He explains that having the right architecture and mindset allows network engineers to manage data effectively, choosing tools that best fit their specific needs. As tools evolve rapidly, this adaptability becomes even more crucial.

Josh highlighted the challenges of observability, particularly the legacy stigma around operating systems and traditional network tools. By implementing observability practices, network engineers can access a wealth of valuable data — but it’s important to balance flexibility with structured guidelines.

Career Advice from the Experts

Reflecting on his early career, Josh emphasised the importance of mentorship and maintaining perspective, particularly when encountering interpersonal challenges in the workplace. He encourages engineers to view tough conversations as opportunities for growth, rather than setbacks. Christian advises young professionals to think big and aim for global opportunities to gain exposure to different challenges and new learning experiences.

Looking Ahead

The networking field is entering an exciting phase, with AI and local data management reshaping enterprise demands. Josh pointed out the increasing bandwidth requirements and the energy needs of AI systems, which could lead to substantial changes in network protocols and infrastructure. Christian echoed this sentiment, noting the shift towards a more heterogeneous network landscape. To remain competitive, companies must embrace automation and use data to create meaningful insights.

Quickfire Q&A with Josh and Christian

The interview wrapped up with a fun round of quickfire questions. If he could only pick one scripting language to take to a desert island, which one would Josh pick?

Christian, on the other hand, spoke about which vendor he would choose and values network vendors that provide solutions without restrictive service requirements, prioritising platforms that give him control over network management. Which one did he go with?

Check out their book: https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Network-Observability-hands-open-source/dp/1835081061

Hear more from Christian Adell: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianadell/

Blog: https://www.netbcn.cat/

Event: https://events.netbcn.nog.community/

Hear more from Josh VanDeraa:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-vanderaa/

Blog: https://josh-v.com

Book recommendation: Unreasonable Hospitality

Check out their co-author David Flores

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-flores-80282917/ 

Listen to the full episode of The Route to Networking Podcast here: 

On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4fsuETxOvqLBuf1qnsKWrk?si=c9d1abbbf52d46d9

On Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-route-to-networking/id1576702334?i=1000677572292