Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What does it take to build your own AI agent that could help with day-to-day network tasks? Hank Preston, a Distinguished Architect at Cisco, asked himself that question. He developed a presentation that walks through all the elements one might need to build such an agent, as well as the risks to consider.
On today's Heavy Networking, Hank joins Ethan Banks to dig into the why and how of building a AI agent that would behave like a junior network engineer. He covers choosing an LLM, working with MCP, integrating network tools, putting controls in place, managing costs, and more.
Hank and Ethan also talk about automation, programmability, and AI, and how to think about which of those skill sets will be the most useful for network engineers to develop. This episode was recorded at Cisco Live 2026.
Hank Preston - linkedin.com/in/hpreston
Building Mr. Packets - Hank Preston's Presentation from OHNUG - usnua.com/hubfs/Presentation%20PDFs/2026-03%20Building%20Mr%20Packets%20-%20OHNUG.pdf?hsLang=en
How to be a Network Engineer in an Artificial Age - Cisco Live - ciscolive.com/c/dam/r/ciscolive/global-event/docs/2025/pdf/CISCOU-1053.pdf
Creating a NetAI Playground for AI Experimentation - Hank Preston - Cisco Blogs - blogs.cisco.com/learning/creating-a-netai-playground-for-agentic-ai-experimentation
An Artificially Intelligent Peer Review Arrives - Hank Preston - Cisco Blogs - blogs.cisco.com/learning/an-artificially-intelligent-peer-reviewer-arrives
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Heavy Networking is the flagship show of the Packet Pushers network. Visit our website to find more great networking and technology podcasts, along with tutorial videos, the Human Infrastructure newsletter, and loads more resources for building your IT career. packetpushers.net
What does it take to build your own AI agent that could help with day-to-day network tasks? Hank Preston, a Distinguished Architect at Cisco, asked himself that question. He developed a presentation that walks through all the elements one might need to build such an agent, as well as the risks to consider.
On today's Heavy Networking, Hank joins Ethan Banks to dig into the why and how of building a AI agent that would behave like a junior network engineer. He covers choosing an LLM, working with MCP, integrating network tools, putting controls in place, managing costs, and more.
Hank and Ethan also talk about automation, programmability, and AI, and how to think about which of those skill sets will be the most useful for network engineers to develop. This episode was recorded at Cisco Live 2026.
Hank Preston - linkedin.com/in/hpreston
Building Mr. Packets - Hank Preston's Presentation from OHNUG - usnua.com/hubfs/Presentation%20PDFs/2026-03%20Building%20Mr%20Packets%20-%20OHNUG.pdf?hsLang=en
How to be a Network Engineer in an Artificial Age - Cisco Live - ciscolive.com/c/dam/r/ciscolive/global-event/docs/2025/pdf/CISCOU-1053.pdf
Creating a NetAI Playground for AI Experimentation - Hank Preston - Cisco Blogs - blogs.cisco.com/learning/creating-a-netai-playground-for-agentic-ai-experimentation
An Artificially Intelligent Peer Review Arrives - Hank Preston - Cisco Blogs - blogs.cisco.com/learning/an-artificially-intelligent-peer-reviewer-arrives
AdSpot Sponsor: Meter
Most IT teams are managing networks stitched together from years of acquisitions and vendor contracts and nobody's accountable when something breaks. Meter delivers the complete network: hardware, software, and services delivered as a predictable subscription. Upgrade credits, a fully managed install and deployment, and 24/7 support make the transition easy. Companies like Lyft, Mr. Beast, and Bridgewater have already made the switch. Go to meter.com/heavynetworking to book a demo.
Heavy Networking is the flagship show of the Packet Pushers network. Visit our website to find more great networking and technology podcasts, along with tutorial videos, the Human Infrastructure newsletter, and loads more resources for building your IT career. packetpushers.net
