Python is the programming language to learn if you are a Network Engineer. It’s just one of the new skills you’re going to need to stay relevant and to be more than just a simple worker that adds no value beyond basic config.  

With Python scripts you can repeat complex tasks in exactly the same way as many times as you like. You can build in variations so that the same job is dynamic when the need arises. For example you could deploy 20 access layer switches with identical configuration except each might have a unique management IP address. Think of the benefits of this type of automation at scale - 1000 switches by CLI is asking for trouble with misaligned configuration and it’s just down right inefficient use of time.

Old school engineers would promote Perl for network scripts and automation - but its old school, less popular and harder to read. Python, as I understand it, can do anything Perl could do and is a much more accessible language in that it’s easier to read and begin working with.

The use cases for scripting or programming will extend far beyond just replacing the legacy technique for the same tasks we perform today. The network is full of useful data that can be extracted for use elsewhere or to help inform the decisions for design tomorrow. All good technology products or services should contain an API which is a very easy way to have Python scripts interact with devices and software. Aruba Networks have released ArubaOS-CX on a core/aggregation switching platform that will allow Python scripts to run right on the switches. The analytics and automated troubleshooting capabilities show huge promise.

​I’ve been learning Python to perform some work in real life scenarios. If you can do it that way, like with most learning opportunities, you will be able to make better associations with the new skills you learn with the benefits of those skills in hobbies and work.

Along the way I have been posting examples of my work in the Aruba Airheads Community, they are relevant to the Aruba Meridian solution.
Using the Meridian API: Output Beacons info to CSV
Using the Meridian API: Checking Beacon Battery Levels
Using the Meridian API: Storing the JSON Output (Local Caching)
Using the Meridian API: Caching Beacons Data in a file
Using the Meridian API: Caching Maps Data in a file

The posts include python files and a step by step break down describing the lines of programming so you can learn how they work. My hope is someone might either make use of the python scripts in their entirety or be able to use sections (or particular functions) for their own projects.

There are so many resources around to help you to get started with Python. If you’re using a MacOS X as your computer operating system then Python is even pre-installed. There are countless books and paid or free online tutorials and courses. Now is the time to get some experience, see if there is any way you could take one of your current tasks and include a bit or Python training in to it.

If you read this post by Steven Iveson in April 2013 you might feel a bit late to the game. There is no time like now to start. https://packetpushers.net/programming-101-for-network-engineers-why-bother/

Search the web for "python for network engineers" and you'll come across countless Udemy courses and other sources. Let me know if you find any good ones.

Have you ever been asked if Wi-Fi is bad for our health? If you work with Wi-Fi you will have faced this question at least once, if not once every other month. There is a lot of misinformation, but lets not start with that.

Recently I was asked to provide advice on the safety of Wi-Fi in regards to human health - this came up because I had made a recommendation to place Access Points underneath seats in a tiered seat (cinema style) theatre. The under-seat design is a story for another time. It occurred to me that the audience who had raised the concern of the proximity of Access Points to people would most likely be non-technical and would not had heard "The Spiel" before. I wanted to be as prepared as possible and armed with the most up to date information I could find. So I spent an entire Saturday reading through information - here is what I found.

When reading about the effects of electromagnetic energy exposure it is important to note the radio frequencies of Wi-Fi are limited in range. Many of the studies and documents that are available relate to much wider frequencies (e.g. 0 - 300 GHz) or very targeted frequencies used in other technologies such as cellular base stations for mobile phones. The most common frequencies used for Wi-Fi occur between 2.4 GHz and 5.9 GHz.

It is also important to note that the majority of Wi-Fi deployments will operate at a transmission power much lower to the services in other frequencies such as cellular, TV and Radio broadcast.

While I've provided links to the various articles and content I have also included snippets for those who find it all a bit TLDR.

ARPANSA - Australian Radiaton Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency
Australian Government’s primary authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety. ARPANSA protect the Australian people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation through understanding risks, best practice regulation, research, policy, services, partnerships and engaging with the community.

ACMA - Australian Communications and Media Authority
The independent statutory authority tasked with ensuring most elements of Australia's media and communications legislation, related regulations, and numerous derived standards and codes of practice operate effectively and efficiently, and in the public interest. ACMA is a 'converged' regulator, created to oversee the convergence of the four 'worlds' of telecommunications, broadcasting, radio communications and the internet.

WHO - World Health Organisation
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health.

IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
The IEEE Standards Authority is an organization within IEEE that develops global standards in a broad range of industries, including: power and energy, biomedical and health care, information technology and robotics, telecommunication among others.

The Wi-Fi Alliance and Wi-Fi equipment manufacturers (aka Vendors) also submit perspectives and points of information to the mix. I deliberately leave material sourced from these organisations to last as it is, in most cases, referencing other material already covered by other organisations. It's also worth noting that both vendors and the Wi-Fi Alliance have an obvious bias towards finding and presenting the positive side of the story.

It is my opinion that the Wi-Fi Alliance should not be considered a reliable source for health or medical based information. Vendor information should be followed for safe use and operation guidelines but like information from the Wi-Fi Alliance should not be used as the basis for medical advice.

WFA - Wi-Fi Alliance
Wi-Fi Alliance defines innovative, standards-based Wi-Fi technologies and programs, certifies products that meet quality, performance, security, and capability standards, provides industry thought leadership, and advocates globally for fair spectrum rules.

WFA: Wi-Fi® and Health/Safety Brochure
https://www.wi-fi.org/download.php?file=/sites/default/files/private/Wi-Fi_and_Health_Brochure_2015_0.pdf
The wireless industry continually monitors information about RF health and related regulatory or policy changes to stay informed of up-to-date research and to be sure that the public can continue to have confidence in the safety of its products. In addition, Wi-Fi Alliance® supported two independent research studies both published in Health Physics, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The first was an independent exposure study that conducted 356 measurements at 55 sites (including schools and hospitals) in four countries around the world. This study concluded that in all cases, the measured Wi-Fi signal levels were very far below international exposure limits (IEEE C95.1-2005 and ICNIRP) and in nearly all cases, far below other RF signals in the same environments.

WFA: Wi-Fi and Health
https://www.wi-fi.org/wi-fi-and-health
Due to the ubiquity of Wi-Fi technology, questions about the safety of radio waves and Wi-Fi devices tend to arise from time to time. The wireless industry takes these concerns very seriously.

There is always a possibility that the organisations referenced above will adopt new testing or theories which bring a different perspective. I recommend you stay informed and periodically review the information available. If you do find what I've shared here useful please let me know with a comment below.