Autocon2: The Best Network Engineering Conference Yet

Jason Gintert

• 4 min read
Autocon2: The Best Network Engineering Conference Yet
The minds shaping the future of network automation

The week of November 18th 2024 in Denver, the Network Automation Forum Autocon2 conference offered a deep dive into the future of network automation, revealing both challenges and breakthroughs within this space. This is by far my favorite event for network engineers right now as it brings together so many bright minds to ponder on how "We’ve been talking about Network Automation for a long time yet but it’s just not taking off like we thought it would. Why is this?" The network automation space is starting to make progress and it's my belief that the Network Automation Forum with their Autocon series of conferences plays a big part in this momentum. Over three dynamic days (I missed the two days of workshops earlier in the week), industry leaders, practitioners, and innovators converged to share insights, strategies, and a collective vision that is reshaping how we think about network infrastructure.

The Power of Community Driven Innovation

What emerges from Autocon2 is not just technological wizardry, but a profound sense of collaborative purpose. Network automation is breaking free from a siloed past, driven by a community that understands innovation happens when knowledge is shared, not hoarded.

The conference revealed a sector at a critical inflection point. With median automation levels hovering around 40%, organizations are no longer asking if they should automate, but how to do it effectively. This shift is powered by a great deal of knowledge sharing and community support.

Key Drivers of the Network Automation Movement

Several critical themes emerged that highlight the network automation movement's growing maturity:

  1. People-Powered Transformation: Automation is fundamentally about humans. Speakers like Anna Claiborne emphasized that the revolution is less about tools and more about collective persistence and cross-disciplinary growth.
  2. Practical Innovation: Real-world examples, such as QuikTrip's automation strategy, demonstrated how targeted approaches can dramatically streamline operations. By integrating tools like Nautobot and standardizing processes, organizations are proving that comprehensive automation is achievable.
  3. AI and Observability: The convergence of AI with network technologies is creating smarter, better systems. Jeremy Schulman's presentation on AI-enhanced observability showed how machine learning can augment—not replace—human expertise.

The USNUA was honored to sponsor and hold a big evening NUG event @ Autocon2

Breaking Down Barriers

The community is actively addressing long standing challenges:

  • Skill Gaps: Organizations are investing in comprehensive skill development and cross-functional training.
  • Organizational Inertia: Grassroots advocacy and internal storytelling are driving cultural shifts.
  • Build vs Borrow vs Buy: Open-source tools and community-driven frameworks are providing alternatives to proprietary solutions. That said, commercial software still has it's place.

A Collaborative Ecosystem

Companies like PayPal are leading by example, transforming network automation into platform engineering. By leveraging microservices, GitOps frameworks, and intent-based networking, they're delivering unprecedented operational efficiency.

Southern California Edison's work demonstrates the tangible benefits. Through automation, they achieved $1.8 million in annual savings while maintaining configuration integrity—proof that strategic automation delivers real business value.

The Human & Technology Symbiosis

Perhaps the most profound insight from Autocon2 is the emphasis on human-centric automation. AI and advanced tools are not replacements for network engineers but powerful augmentation technologies.

Du'An S. Lightfoot's concept of AI-powered network agents exemplifies this approach. By creating systems that blend machine intelligence with human oversight, the community is creating a collaborative future where technology enhances human capabilities.

Looking Forward: An Inclusive, Innovative Future

The network automation movement lead by the Network Automation Forum is characterized by:

  • Continuous learning
  • Open-source collaboration
  • Modular, flexible approaches
  • A commitment to democratizing technological knowledge

Mircea Ulinic's closing keynote captured this spirit perfectly, positioning automation not as a fixed destination but as an evolving journey of innovation.

Why This Matters

Network automation is more than a technological trend—it's a fundamental reimagining of how organizations manage infrastructure. By breaking down silos, sharing knowledge, and embracing a community-driven approach, we're creating more efficient, responsive, and intelligent networks.

The Call to Action

For professionals and organizations, the message is clear: The future of network automation belongs to those willing to learn, collaborate, and challenge themselves to drive new ideas.

Whether you're just beginning your automation journey or are a seasoned practitioner, there's never been a more exciting time to be part of this community. The barriers are falling, the tools are improving, and the collective knowledge is expanding at an unprecedented rate. Network automation is here—and it's powered by people, passion, and a shared vision of what's possible.

Some ways to get involved:

To put their money where their mouth is when it comes to openly sharing knowledge, the Network Automation Forum makes all of the content from the events available at their conclusion. Find the slides to all of the presentations at Autocon2 here: https://github.com/Network-Automation-Forum/handyinfo/tree/main/docs/autocon_coverage/slides/AutoCon2

The videos for the presentations will be available here before the end of 2024, keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime, you can check out previous presentations from Autocon0 and Autocon1: https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkAutomationForum

Hope to see you at another one of these events soon! Autocon3 is coming up in Europe spring of 2025, Autocon4 is happening in the US fall of 2025. Europe might be a stretch for me but I'll definitely see you at the US event if you can make it there!