Simply stated, NetDevOps is a network-centric approach to a DevOps (software development + IT operations) development methodology. 

NetDevOps isn't a product that can be purchased, but rather a set of development principles, guidelines, strategies, and tooling. It's very much a culture and a mindset for operating your network infrastructure. It offers a common framework from which multiple IT domains can interact and cooperate, yet still function within their respective product towers. 

NetDevOps isn't just about automation. Certainly, some deliverables include scripting, but the main tenet of NetDevOps speaks to a shift in thinking about what it means to manage and operate the network infrastructure. 

At a fundamental level, NetDevOps views the network as a software application. We can then apply proven principles and techniques utilized by the software industry to create sophisticated products and services with speed-to-market and at scale. 

Opportunity to leverage a suite of scalable tool frameworks is created: configuration management, event-driven automation, automated builds and testing, and programmable interfaces. As you develop your NetDevOps program, you'll discover ways to map these frameworks to external requirements such as security policy mitigation, compliance, and interaction with your peer IT product owners. You'll also benefit from a reduction in operational risk to the organization.

Because a NetDevOps culture isn't a productized "thing", you're limited only by your imagination in creating use-cases customized for your environment!

Operational excellence and compliance are just as important to you as they are to a large multinational corporation. In fact, risk to your company and personal finances may be higher due to the lack of sheer scale at which you operate.

Small business environments can benefit from the automation aspects that a NetDevOps program offers. For example, operating your infrastructure with minimal manual intervention could translate into fewer calls to your IT services outsourcer when quick moves/adds/changes are required.

The opportunity also exists to create a hosted NetDevOps offering where your company could subscribe to these operational best-practice tools. We can discuss how this concept might work for your unique circumstances.

There's no reason your small business can't derive similar benefits from a NetDevOps approach that larger organizations enjoy!

The vast majority of my career has centered around traditional, senior-level network engineering roles in numerous organizations of widely varying size. I possess over three decades of hands-on network engineering experience in the following industries:

• K12 and Higher Education
• Global manufacturing
• Banking and Finance
• State government
• Technology
• Healthcare
• Energy (Oil and Gas)

Core network engineering competencies:

• Application Delivery: f5 LTM/ASM/APM/GTM, Citrix Netscaler and Gateway
• Network Transport: Metro Ethernet, TDM, MPLS, OTV, SONET/RPR, Wireless
• IP Technologies: Multilayer switching, QoS, OSPF, MBGP, DMVPN, IPv6
• Network Management: SolarWinds, LogicMonitor, misc. open source tools and frameworks
• Various packet/protocol analyzers and path analysis tools such as Wireshark, tcpdump, JPerf, nmap, ntop, layer four traceroute, MTR, pchar, etc. 
• Logging: “ELK Stack” (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana), Splunk
• Security: Cisco ASA/Firepower Threat Defense, AAA, Duo MFA, PKI, VPN
• IP Telephony: Cisco UCM, Unity Connection, TelePresence integration

Core NetDevOps tooling competencies:

• Configuration management: Ansible/Red Hat Automation Platform, Semaphore UI
• DCIM: NetBox
• Programming: *nix Shell (sed/awk), Python
• Python libraries/frameworks: Netmiko, Nornir, Genie
• Network device modeling/protocols: NETCONF, REST/RESTCONF, YANG Development Kit, Yangsuite
• Automated testing: pyATS, Robot Framework, Batfish
• PaaS/orchestration: Docker, Podman, Kubernetes
• Software version-control systems: GitHub/GitLab (GitHub Actions/CI Runner)

• Design and build of Ansible Playbooks for network device firmware upgrades and other configuration management activities for over 120 remote manufacturing plant and service center locations.
• Design and build of an Ansible-based zero touch provisioning (ZTP) service for out-of-band management devices and network equipment.
• Design an Infrastructure-as-Code framework for automating compliance of network devices to NIST 800-172 R2/STIG/CIS  benchmark controls.
• Design and build of an Ansible Playbook for provisioning over 3,000 DMVPN tunnels at 1,100+ remote locations.
• Design and build of Ansible Playbooks that addressed security audit findings for an enterprise with over 6,000 network elements.
• Design and build of Ansible Plays/Roles to automatically onboard production network devices into a new NetBox CMDB instance.
• Miscellaneous Python scripts utilizing NETCONF; provisioning of resource groups in Microsoft Azure; performing automated testing with libraries such as pyATS and Genie; device platform translation scripts.
• Kubernetes-based secure file transfer service: created to address network transport path deficiencies that can cause central file serving solutions to fail (e.g. high packet latency and loss).

The short answer is yes - I don't default to pushing a particular box, software application, or other vendor-specific solution. To date, all scripts, Ansible Playbooks, and service orchestration tools I've created have been completely built on a Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) application stack.

Sometimes commercial approaches to the task at hand are a better choice. FOSS solutions are "free" as in a puppy, so implementation makes sense if your organization has the appropriate internal support structure in place. Utilizing a commercial solution might be the best option if in-house FOSS expertise isn't available, or, to suit other organizational considerations.

While OpenStreem Network Consulting, LLC is based out of the Greater Houston area, the virtual nature of work deliverables doesn't restrict me from working with clients in any geographical location.

I'd be pleased to partner with you on a project, regardless of your location. If applicable, logistical details can be addressed as part of the consulting engagement kickoff.

Yes. As part of the business startup process, I obtained General Liability and Technology Errors and Omissions insurance. I also utilized, and currently retain, the services of a local law firm to file the proper articles of organization, function as OpenStreem Network Consulting, LLC's registered agent, and help define consulting service Terms and Conditions.

These protection mechanisms are essential to help protect from harm and provide peace of mind to my clients.

Yes! I'm passionate about implementing various facets of a NetDevOps program, and would enjoy the opportunity to partner with you and your team.

Our initial chat costs nothing!

I'm willing to meet with you for one hour, over coffee, lunch, or at your place of business (within the Greater Houston area) free of charge.

If you're not located within Greater Houston, we can meet virtually for one hour free of charge.

I will simply listen to your network operations story, then we'll determine if my services can effectively address your challenges.

If it makes sense to embark on a NetDevOps program, we can discuss a formal consulting engagement. In subsequent meetings, we'll define what success looks like and formulate next steps.

You ultimately decide my level of interaction and form of deliverables. I'm prepared to function in an advisory capacity, or, as a virtual member of your network team.

I'm equally responsive to voice, text, or email.

There is only one principle: my primary business goal is to partner with and serve my clients so they can, in turn, be effective in their respective organization's support mission.

However, the meaning behind that sentence is way more complex and personal.

I'm a Christian, husband, father, and marketplace participant - in that order. The Lord of my faith has blessed me in all these personal life roles; He has done so to a level I don't deserve nor could ever repay. The least I can do is to honor Him in all areas of my life. In terms of client service, that honor takes the form of honesty, integrity, and absolutely uncompromising ethics.