About

Hi there! I’m Baltej Giri and I welcome you to my corner of the Internet. I consider myself a Network Operator - who administrate, manage and troubleshoot both wired and wireless networks. It’s been close to 5 years since I have stepped into the networking field and ever since then I am in love with networks. Networking is so fascinating to me, thinking how files, pictures, voice and video are send from one part of the world to another. If a non-technical person asks me what do you do for living? My answer, I just make sure that picture you may have sent to your friend, parent, children or anyone across the world over a digital communication (with the smile on face) and the conversations goes on and on from there.

I started to write this blog so I can document what I have learnt about network protocols, if you’re someone like me who not only wants to know what is a protocol but also curious to understand how a protocol work then you clicked on the right link.

While I’m not lost in the protocols, I’m out hiking, biking, or traveling somewhere new. If you would like to connect with me on LinkedIn - I’d love to connect.

What I work with

Protocols & Technologies: TCP/IP · IPv4 · OSPF · VLANs (802.1Q) · STP/RSTP/MSTP · QoS · ACLs · VPNs · DHCP · DNS · SNMP

Platforms & Tools: Cisco IOS · Cisco Catalyst Center (DNAC) · HPE Aruba · Palo Alto · SolarWinds · NetScout · Wireshark · Tcpdump · Linux CLI · Github

Lab environments: Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) · Containerlab

Certifications

I treat certifications as a structured learning framework, the goal is deep understanding of protocol not just a passing score. I use Cisco Modeling Lab and Containerlab for hands on practice.

I currently hold CCNA 200-301 certification, this certification helped me to build a solid networking foundation. I am now focusing on network programmability by following CCNA Automation (previously DevNet Associate) certification guide. This exam covers fundamental level of Software Development Lifecycle Framework to Bash, Git, Python, and how to use APIs to interact with Network tools like Cisco Catalyst Center, Meraki Dashboard, Cisco IOS XE, Cisco ACI and Collaboration.

Goals

Now

DevNet Associate — Python, APIs, YANG/NETCONF
Network programmability fundamentals
REST API & Cisco DNA Center automation

Begin CCNP Enterprise track
Advanced routing — BGP deep dive, route policies
Git & CI/CD for network config management
Expand lab topology library

Long term

Master enterprise network design
Cloud networking (AWS / Azure)
Full CCNP Enterprise and CCNP Automation