Chris Parker @ Network Fun-Times
@networkfuntimes.bsky.social
Mr Nice-Posts. winner of official Most Handsome Network Engineer award 2029. JNCIE-SP, Juniper Networks instructor and courseware writer. Blogger at www.networkfuntimes.com. funny o nline man,
Lol - I enjoyed this closing paragraph on Ivan Pepelnjak's post on reaching off-subnet nodes in IP and CLNP, talking about historical "hacks" for IPv4 hosts to auto-discover routers on a LAN:
blog.ipspace.net/2025/03/comp...
blog.ipspace.net/2025/03/comp...
September 13, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Lol - I enjoyed this closing paragraph on Ivan Pepelnjak's post on reaching off-subnet nodes in IP and CLNP, talking about historical "hacks" for IPv4 hosts to auto-discover routers on a LAN:
blog.ipspace.net/2025/03/comp...
blog.ipspace.net/2025/03/comp...
Some happy news: I passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N5 exam :)
It's the beginners level cert. 800 words, 100 kanji (Chinese characters), 50 grammar points. Nothing difficult to most people - but 2nd languages do not come naturally to me, so it was a real challenge. I'm relieved!
It's the beginners level cert. 800 words, 100 kanji (Chinese characters), 50 grammar points. Nothing difficult to most people - but 2nd languages do not come naturally to me, so it was a real challenge. I'm relieved!
August 25, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Some happy news: I passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N5 exam :)
It's the beginners level cert. 800 words, 100 kanji (Chinese characters), 50 grammar points. Nothing difficult to most people - but 2nd languages do not come naturally to me, so it was a real challenge. I'm relieved!
It's the beginners level cert. 800 words, 100 kanji (Chinese characters), 50 grammar points. Nothing difficult to most people - but 2nd languages do not come naturally to me, so it was a real challenge. I'm relieved!
I wasn't able to attend this conference, but I'm excited to watch some of these videos. Lots of great topics on offer. Take a look:
The videos from #NetUK2 are now available on YouTube: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
NetUK2 7-8th July 2025 in London - YouTube
NetUK is a community of like-minded individuals and organisations that are passionate about network infrastructure technologies across the UK. Join us to bui...
www.youtube.com
July 28, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I wasn't able to attend this conference, but I'm excited to watch some of these videos. Lots of great topics on offer. Take a look:
Reposted by Chris Parker @ Network Fun-Times
Reposted by Chris Parker @ Network Fun-Times
I see 1000028 IPv4 prefixes. This is 240 more prefixes than 6 hours ago and 970 more than a week ago. 61.78% of prefixes are /24.
April 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I see 1000028 IPv4 prefixes. This is 240 more prefixes than 6 hours ago and 970 more than a week ago. 61.78% of prefixes are /24.
It's a few years old, but I just discovered a super cool set of gacha (Japanese capsule toys) for a miniature rack of routers and switches.
A forum user called "Agg" has posted extensive photos. Well worth a look: forums.overclockers.com.au/threads/mini...
A forum user called "Agg" has posted extensive photos. Well worth a look: forums.overclockers.com.au/threads/mini...
April 24, 2025 at 10:18 AM
It's a few years old, but I just discovered a super cool set of gacha (Japanese capsule toys) for a miniature rack of routers and switches.
A forum user called "Agg" has posted extensive photos. Well worth a look: forums.overclockers.com.au/threads/mini...
A forum user called "Agg" has posted extensive photos. Well worth a look: forums.overclockers.com.au/threads/mini...
Reposted by Chris Parker @ Network Fun-Times
Packets that don't receive a reply to ping comnand aren't truly lost; they briefly enter a low-latency parallel dimension where time flows differently. Occasionally a stray "lost" packet will reappear days or even weeks later. This phenomenon is known as the "Lost Packet Dimension".
April 14, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Packets that don't receive a reply to ping comnand aren't truly lost; they briefly enter a low-latency parallel dimension where time flows differently. Occasionally a stray "lost" packet will reappear days or even weeks later. This phenomenon is known as the "Lost Packet Dimension".
I love every video Cathode Ray Dude makes. His most recent one is of great interest to network engineers. He tells the history of 80s and 90s internet connectivity, exploring ISDN, leased lines, and the advent of ADSL.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ympj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ympj...
Five Phone Stories
YouTube video by Cathode Ray Dude - CRD
www.youtube.com
March 18, 2025 at 9:44 AM
I love every video Cathode Ray Dude makes. His most recent one is of great interest to network engineers. He tells the history of 80s and 90s internet connectivity, exploring ISDN, leased lines, and the advent of ADSL.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ympj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ympj...
In addition to the famous 2001:db8::/32, Today I learned that there's now a second IPv6 prefix that is reserved for documentation: 3fff::/20.
Lol, I'm only seven months late to the party on this one!
datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc...
Lol, I'm only seven months late to the party on this one!
datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc...
RFC 9637: Expanding the IPv6 Documentation Space
The document describes the reservation of an additional IPv6 address prefix for use in documentation. This update to RFC 3849 expands on the existing 2001:db8::/32 address block with the reservation o...
datatracker.ietf.org
March 10, 2025 at 10:27 PM
In addition to the famous 2001:db8::/32, Today I learned that there's now a second IPv6 prefix that is reserved for documentation: 3fff::/20.
Lol, I'm only seven months late to the party on this one!
datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc...
Lol, I'm only seven months late to the party on this one!
datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc...
Oh my, this is brilliant - someone edited an orchestra to make it sound like they’re doing a live performance of a dial-up connection. If the comments are to be trusted, it's accurate! youtu.be/wuN-bW_zS0Q?...
Ode to Internet - V.90 56k dialup modem handshake for orchestra
YouTube video by staybeam
youtu.be
March 8, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Oh my, this is brilliant - someone edited an orchestra to make it sound like they’re doing a live performance of a dial-up connection. If the comments are to be trusted, it's accurate! youtu.be/wuN-bW_zS0Q?...
When you study a new skill like network engineering, as you move onto the advanced pieces, you might find you forget the basics - because you're not thinking about them as much. This is normal. You're not stupid. You're not doomed to fail. There's a lot to remember, and it's all part of the journey.
February 26, 2025 at 10:32 PM
When you study a new skill like network engineering, as you move onto the advanced pieces, you might find you forget the basics - because you're not thinking about them as much. This is normal. You're not stupid. You're not doomed to fail. There's a lot to remember, and it's all part of the journey.
I've been a fan of Japanese pop culture since 1995. Many half-hearted attempts along the way to learn the language. Recently started genuinely trying.
Currently at the expert beginner stage, lol. I know enough to be dangerous, but no way near enough to be useful. Approx 150 kanji, 800 words.
Currently at the expert beginner stage, lol. I know enough to be dangerous, but no way near enough to be useful. Approx 150 kanji, 800 words.
January 16, 2025 at 10:16 AM
I've been a fan of Japanese pop culture since 1995. Many half-hearted attempts along the way to learn the language. Recently started genuinely trying.
Currently at the expert beginner stage, lol. I know enough to be dangerous, but no way near enough to be useful. Approx 150 kanji, 800 words.
Currently at the expert beginner stage, lol. I know enough to be dangerous, but no way near enough to be useful. Approx 150 kanji, 800 words.
I received a lovely email today from someone who discovered my blog post on Class of Service (aka QoS) in Junos, and said it helped them understand the config. Well, I'll definitely use that as a chance to share the post again! Hopefully it'll help you too:
www.networkfuntimes.com/how-to-read-...
www.networkfuntimes.com/how-to-read-...
How To Read A Junos Class-Of-Service Configuration
Struggling to read Junos Class-of-Service config? This post is for you: it shows you where to start, what order to read each piece in, and what to look for. After this you'll have no problem working o...
www.networkfuntimes.com
January 15, 2025 at 11:12 AM
I received a lovely email today from someone who discovered my blog post on Class of Service (aka QoS) in Junos, and said it helped them understand the config. Well, I'll definitely use that as a chance to share the post again! Hopefully it'll help you too:
www.networkfuntimes.com/how-to-read-...
www.networkfuntimes.com/how-to-read-...
Reposted by Chris Parker @ Network Fun-Times
In this week's N Is For Networking (a podcast for new networkers), we discuss the default gateway. How does a host know when a destination is local & when it needs a gateway to forward traffic on instead? We keep the answer simple without dumbing it down.
N4N008: What Is a Default Gateway?
Today’s topic is the default gateway, essential for routing traffic between networks. We explain its purpose, configuration, and the consequences of incorrect settings. Using home networks as an example, Ethan and Holly illustrate how default gateways ...
packetpushers.net
January 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
In this week's N Is For Networking (a podcast for new networkers), we discuss the default gateway. How does a host know when a destination is local & when it needs a gateway to forward traffic on instead? We keep the answer simple without dumbing it down.
KRAZAM is back with another brilliant sketch. This time: artisanal data collectors. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDr6... It's joyous nonsense.
Once you're done, check out their sketch "IETF Celebrates The Standards". Easily one of my favourite things on this otherwise-cursed internet. Absurd genius.
Once you're done, check out their sketch "IETF Celebrates The Standards". Easily one of my favourite things on this otherwise-cursed internet. Absurd genius.
Small Data
YouTube video by KRAZAM
www.youtube.com
January 6, 2025 at 10:19 PM
KRAZAM is back with another brilliant sketch. This time: artisanal data collectors. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDr6... It's joyous nonsense.
Once you're done, check out their sketch "IETF Celebrates The Standards". Easily one of my favourite things on this otherwise-cursed internet. Absurd genius.
Once you're done, check out their sketch "IETF Celebrates The Standards". Easily one of my favourite things on this otherwise-cursed internet. Absurd genius.
Reposted by Chris Parker @ Network Fun-Times
Nobody Ikes CAPTCHAs so thanks to Guillermo Rauch, who created a Doom classic video game based one where once you kill 3 monsters you are human.
doom-captcha.vercel.app
doom-captcha.vercel.app
DOOM® CAPTCHA
Prove you're human by playing DOOM
doom-captcha.vercel.app
January 4, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Nobody Ikes CAPTCHAs so thanks to Guillermo Rauch, who created a Doom classic video game based one where once you kill 3 monsters you are human.
doom-captcha.vercel.app
doom-captcha.vercel.app
Reposted by Chris Parker @ Network Fun-Times
When folks talk about segment routing, it's often in regards traffic-engineered paths.
Personally, I really like segment routing (specifically SR-MPLS) as an LDP replacement - which is to say, a full mesh of auto-created shortest-path LSPs, but with 100% topology coverage for backup paths.
Personally, I really like segment routing (specifically SR-MPLS) as an LDP replacement - which is to say, a full mesh of auto-created shortest-path LSPs, but with 100% topology coverage for backup paths.
November 28, 2024 at 12:20 PM
When folks talk about segment routing, it's often in regards traffic-engineered paths.
Personally, I really like segment routing (specifically SR-MPLS) as an LDP replacement - which is to say, a full mesh of auto-created shortest-path LSPs, but with 100% topology coverage for backup paths.
Personally, I really like segment routing (specifically SR-MPLS) as an LDP replacement - which is to say, a full mesh of auto-created shortest-path LSPs, but with 100% topology coverage for backup paths.
Considering my follower count has risen 10x, I should probably say hi!
I'm Chris. I use my website to teach networking with "jokes" and "mandatory fun". I focus on Junos/Juniper, and on service provider tech (BGP/MPLS).
Here's an example post you might like: www.networkfuntimes.com/a-complete-b...
I'm Chris. I use my website to teach networking with "jokes" and "mandatory fun". I focus on Junos/Juniper, and on service provider tech (BGP/MPLS).
Here's an example post you might like: www.networkfuntimes.com/a-complete-b...
A COMPLETE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO SUBNETTING
If you're a newcomer to networking, chances are you're struggling to get your head around subnet masks. Well don't worry: your goth uncle is here to explain how it all works. CCNA and JNCIA/JNCIS stud...
www.networkfuntimes.com
November 22, 2024 at 5:15 PM
Considering my follower count has risen 10x, I should probably say hi!
I'm Chris. I use my website to teach networking with "jokes" and "mandatory fun". I focus on Junos/Juniper, and on service provider tech (BGP/MPLS).
Here's an example post you might like: www.networkfuntimes.com/a-complete-b...
I'm Chris. I use my website to teach networking with "jokes" and "mandatory fun". I focus on Junos/Juniper, and on service provider tech (BGP/MPLS).
Here's an example post you might like: www.networkfuntimes.com/a-complete-b...
Reposted by Chris Parker @ Network Fun-Times
For New York mag, I wrote about the slop economy nymag.com/intelligence...
September 25, 2024 at 3:59 PM
For New York mag, I wrote about the slop economy nymag.com/intelligence...
The IETF working group for IPv6 maintenance is called 6man.
Despite my repeated emails, they REFUSE to acknowledge whether 6man is related to Five Guys.
Reader, I promise you: I will not let them dodge this question.
Despite my repeated emails, they REFUSE to acknowledge whether 6man is related to Five Guys.
Reader, I promise you: I will not let them dodge this question.
September 17, 2024 at 9:37 PM
The IETF working group for IPv6 maintenance is called 6man.
Despite my repeated emails, they REFUSE to acknowledge whether 6man is related to Five Guys.
Reader, I promise you: I will not let them dodge this question.
Despite my repeated emails, they REFUSE to acknowledge whether 6man is related to Five Guys.
Reader, I promise you: I will not let them dodge this question.
NEW POST: After many months of work, my four-day instructor-led SR-MPLS course is now live! Plus, Krzysztof Szarkowicz has written some great blogs introducing SRv6.
Want to find out more? Clicky-click: www.networkfuntimes.com/my-new-sr-mp...
Want to find out more? Clicky-click: www.networkfuntimes.com/my-new-sr-mp...
My New SR-MPLS Course, and Krzysztof's SRv6 Blogs
My new four-day instructor-led SR-MPLS course is now live! In addition, my colleague Krzysztof Szarkowicz has written many free blog posts on SRv6. Click this post to find out all about it.
www.networkfuntimes.com
September 16, 2024 at 7:23 AM
NEW POST: After many months of work, my four-day instructor-led SR-MPLS course is now live! Plus, Krzysztof Szarkowicz has written some great blogs introducing SRv6.
Want to find out more? Clicky-click: www.networkfuntimes.com/my-new-sr-mp...
Want to find out more? Clicky-click: www.networkfuntimes.com/my-new-sr-mp...
Reposted by Chris Parker @ Network Fun-Times
Musk is a thieving little shit. Automatically signing everyone up to the "steal my work" setting, not notifying users, and hiding the opt-out so you can't even do it on the app.
If anyone's wondering how things are going on the hellsite: This setting was just turned on by default for everyone. if you still have an account with content, go log in and disable this so Grok can't use your tweets as training data.
Direct link:
twitter.com/settings/gro...
Direct link:
twitter.com/settings/gro...
July 26, 2024 at 4:27 AM
Musk is a thieving little shit. Automatically signing everyone up to the "steal my work" setting, not notifying users, and hiding the opt-out so you can't even do it on the app.