News & Trends

AT&T just showed network engineers what the future of carrier networks looks like — and it’s not just about moving packets. At MWC 2026, AT&T launched Connected AI for Manufacturing, a platform built with Nvidia, Microsoft, and MicroAI that pushes AI inference from the cloud to the factory floor over 5G. For network engineers, this is the clearest signal yet that telcos are evolving from connectivity providers into AI infrastructure platforms. ...

Broadcom’s AI chip business is on track to surpass $100 billion in annual revenue by 2027, according to CEO Hock Tan’s March 2026 earnings call. For network engineers, this isn’t just a semiconductor headline — it’s a signal that demand for high-speed data center fabric expertise is about to explode. Every dollar spent on AI silicon requires corresponding investment in 800G switching, lossless Ethernet fabrics, and EVPN-VXLAN overlays to connect those chips. ...

You just walked out of the CCIE lab. Eight hours of intense troubleshooting, configuration, and verification — and the result email says FAIL. I’ve been there. Most of us have. The CCIE lab has roughly a 20% first-attempt pass rate, which means 4 out of 5 candidates fail on their first try. The average candidate takes 2.3 attempts to pass. You’re not alone, and you’re not done. But here’s what separates the engineers who eventually earn those digits from those who give up: what you do in the next 90 days. ...

Choosing the right lab environment can make or break your CCIE journey. You’ll spend hundreds — maybe thousands — of hours labbing before exam day, so the platform you pick matters more than most candidates realize. The three dominant options in 2026 are Cisco Modeling Labs (CML), INE’s cloud-based labs, and GNS3 (the open-source veteran). Each has real strengths and real limitations. This guide breaks down the honest comparison so you can stop second-guessing and start labbing. ...

If you’re grinding through OSPF LSA types and BGP path selection at 2 AM, you’ve probably had this thought: “Will I actually use any of this?” You’re not alone. A recent Reddit thread in r/networking went viral when a junior network engineer — actively studying for the CCIE — discovered that senior engineers at his company couldn’t even explain the OSPF templates they’d been deploying for years. The thread exploded with nearly 100 comments, and the consensus was surprisingly honest: most network engineers rarely make L3 routing changes in their day-to-day work. ...

Every week I get the same question from engineers starting their CCIE journey: “Should I go with INE or CBT Nuggets?” It sounds simple, but the answer depends entirely on where you are in your preparation and what you actually need to pass the lab. I’ve used both platforms extensively over the years, and I’ve coached engineers who swear by each one. The truth is, they’re not really competing for the same job in your study plan. Let me break down exactly what each platform delivers — and where each one falls short — so you can spend your money and your time wisely. ...

Every year, the same question pops up on Reddit, Cisco Learning Network, and every networking Slack channel: is CCIE worth it anymore? With cloud certifications multiplying, automation eating into traditional network roles, and the exam costing five figures to pursue — it’s a fair question. Here’s the short answer: yes, but not for everyone. The CCIE still delivers one of the strongest ROIs of any IT certification in 2026. But the math only works if you go in with the right expectations, the right preparation, and a clear understanding of what you’re actually buying. ...