Programming
Top Programming Languages For Network Engineers
Network engineering and administration used to not need much programming skill. All you needed to know was how to run commands on switches and routers and how to configure networking devices. These days a network engineer has to know how to write code. Otherwise he or she risks becoming outdated and useless in their job. Networking is simply advancing too quickly for you to not know how to code. There are certain programming languages that are a better choice to learn if you are a network engineer. Read on to see which programming languages are the best choice for a network professional.
Networking Is Changing
Network engineers used to have to understand networking and networking gear. Things like the OSI layer model, TCP/IP, etc. along with Cisco IOS commands would be enough to get a job in the networking field. That is no longer true, and the jobs that require nothing but the above are becoming more rare.
Instead, a new approach is taking place where network professionals now must also know how to code. This approach is called Software Defined Networking (SDN). SDN is especially popular in datacenter environments. In its most simplest form, this approach creates a centralized controller that tells other networking devices how to forward their packets. This controller makes these decisions using the software it is running. In essence, it is this software that is telling the networking devices how to route traffic.
SDN revolved around the software, and knowing the programming language that the software is written in is key to getting a SDN job. You will want to write scripts that interact with the SDN software.
Even places that do not use SDN are going to want a network engineer who knows how to code. Writing scripts to automate daily tasks and common tasks is key to working more efficiently. This is true of most IT jobs, and especially true for system or network administrator. Networking jobs often involve repetitive tasks. If these tasks can be automated, then the network engineer has more time to work on something else. A company would rather hire one engineer who can automate the simple tasks than two engineers who are both wasting time doing repetitive tasks.
Best Language for Networking Professionals
There are a ton of programming languages out in the wild. Many are esoteric or uncommon, but even if you only think about the most common languages you will easily be able to list two dozen languages. Luckily, only some of these are going to be applicable to the networking field. There’s a handful of scripting languages that are truly worth learning for a network engineer.
There are not many networking specific languages. But there are a number of programming languages that are more useful and more common in the networking field. This is due to a number of reasons, including the difficulty of the language, the compatibility of the language with networking software and the popularity of the language.
Python
Python is a general purpose language. This means it is not built for a specific field. Instead it is a good all around language used for many different things. This includes writing scripts and developing networking tools. It is also a great beginner language.
The first thing to know about Python is that it is extremely readable. This means that reading Python code is relatively simple and intuitive. This readability factor makes it one of the most popular beginner programming languages. Python is formatted in such a way that you will not have to spend hours trying to decrypt code just to understand what it does.
When I say that Python is a beginner programming language, I do not mean it is less powerful than other languages. Python is very powerful and can do just about anything you could ask a computer program to do. What I do mean is that Python is a common language chosen by coding beginners.
Code is important for modern network engineers, but coding is not necessarily going to be the main focus of a network engineer’s job. A software developer can take the time needed to learn a difficult language such as C++. A network engineer does not have as much time to spend learning languages. This is why a language like Python is a great choice. It is powerful, but simple to learn.
Python is also becoming the default SDN language.
If you want to start learning Python a great beginner book is Python Crash Course. It will get you up and coding quickly. If you already have some software skills, then a networking specific book like Mastering Python Networking is going to be super helpful.
Golang
Go (AKA Golang) is a modern language developed by Google. Go was made to be intuitive enough that new engineers at Google could pick it up relatively quickly.
Go is a strongly typed language, which makes it a lot different from Python. This makes it similar to language such as C++. Developers who are familiar with C++ tend to really enjoy working in Go.
Go is especially powerful when it comes to creating network software. It is a great language for developing distributed systems, APIs and other network related software. One reason is that Go is great at concurrency. It is able to handle a bunch of things happening at once.
Go also goes hand in hand with protobufs (Protocol buffers). Protobufs are another Google invention. They are a way of transferring binary data between systems and then translating that data into human readable form. You can think of this as a more effective JSON.
Go has a bunch of powerful libraries, and is a super powerful and useful networking language. It is not used as much as Python though. At the same time, the jobs that are looking for Go developers tend to pay more than those looking for Python developers.
If you want to give Go a try, check out A Tour of Go or get a copy of The Go Programming Language.
Perl
Perl used to be the darling of system and network engineers. It is a powerful language that allows one to write scripts for automating tasks. The network engineers I currently work with all use Perl as their main scripting language. If you end up working with older code or older engineers, having a knowledge of Perl will be very handy.
Perl’s biggest benefit is the huge amount of modules. A module is like a pre-written piece of code you can use within your code. Using a model that someone else wrote prevents you from reinventing the wheel. If someone already wrote code for the function you need, then you can just use their code. There is no need to recreate code that already exist. Perl does a great job of organizing these modules and making them accessible.
The problem with Perl is that it is no longer very popular. Python has largely replaced Perl as the language of choice for new network professionals. Python can do anything Perl can, but is also much easier to read. Perl generally has many different ways to perform a single action. Python generally has a single correct way of performing a single action.
Because of the multiple ways in which you can do the same thing, reading someone else’s Perl code can be confusing. What if they do a thing in a completely different way than you are used to? You will spend time going through their code line by line trying to figure out what it is they are trying to accomplish.
Simply put, Perl is not as popular as it once was. If everyone at your job works in Python, you will likely also need to work in Python.
Bash
Bash is a language that comes with every Unix based system. It is a scripting language that is great for automating tasks. Python and Perl can do everything that bash can do, but bash scripts allow you to create very powerful tools by only learning a few commands (awk, sed, grep and egrep, wget, etc.) Bash scripts tend to be short and simple.
Bash is great if you need to automate things, but do not want to learn a whole programming language. If you need complex tools or want to learn advanced programming, Perl and Python are both better choices.
A great Bash book is Learning the bash Shell: Unix Shell Programming.
Languages A Network Engineer Should Avoid
There are other languages out there that can serve a network engineer in their role. Any general purpose language is a good choice. Especially those that are widely available on different Unix base systems. You don’t want to have to install a whole language just to run a simple networking script.
JavaScript
JavaScript is a web developer language. Though NodeJS does allow running code on the backend, it is a poor language choice for a network engineer. NodeJS is not installed on most computers by default. It is not a language that many network engineers will know or use. It is also a bit different from many other programming languages (prototypical inheritance etc.) making it a bad language to learn as your first language.
JavaScript is single threaded, meaning that it can one run thread at a time. This is very limiting for networking software which is often trying to do many different things at once.
JavaScript is good if you want to build websites, not if you want to work in the networking field.
Java, C and C++
Both of these are good introductory programming languages because they will force you to be more verbose. A program written in Java or C is likely to longer and more explicit than one written in Python. This is because Python is a higher lever language that does some things for you automatically, while Java and C require you to do it verbose.
This is good for learning how to program in general, and these are good languages to learn in a computer science course or for someone who wants to do software development, but they are overkill for a network engineer. Learning a higher level language like Python will get you up and coding faster and more efficiently.
Generally, if you are interested in networking and are looking for a coding language, Python or Go is probably your best choice.
Unsure of where to start? Click here for a few good programming resources.
In an era dominated by digital systems, the CDK cyber attack serves as a wake-up call for industries. The attack on CDK Global, a critical provider of software solutions for the automotive industry, not only disrupted services but also exposed alarming vulnerabilities. It highlighted the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures across industries increasingly dependent on technology.
Cybersecurity breaches are no longer just technical events; they’re existential threats to businesses. The CDK cyber attack serves as a reminder of how damaging unchecked vulnerabilities can become when targeted by malicious actors. Let’s explore the incident, its consequences, and the vital lessons every organization can draw from it.
What is the CDK Cyber Attack?
The CDK cyber attack refers to a significant breach targeting CDK Global, a leading provider of IT solutions for automotive retailers. CDK Global plays an essential role in managing dealership operations, including customer data, financial transactions, and inventory management.
This attack, likely carried out by sophisticated cybercriminals, exploited vulnerabilities within CDK’s infrastructure. By infiltrating sensitive systems, attackers aimed to disrupt operations and access sensitive dealership data. CDK Global’s massive client base—spanning hundreds of dealerships worldwide—meant that the attack’s ripple effects extended far beyond the company itself.
Moreover, the cybercriminals potentially sought financial gains through data theft, ransomware, or sabotage. This attack left dealerships scrambling to restore operations, exposing their reliance on third-party software providers like CDK Global.
How Did the CDK Cyber Attack Unfold?
While precise details of the attack remain undisclosed, it is clear that early investigations suggest a coordinated and calculated breach. To begin with, the attackers likely employed techniques such as phishing, malware injections, or exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain access to CDK’s systems. In fact, these methods have become common tactics for cybercriminals aiming to infiltrate high-value targets.
Once inside the network, the cybercriminals may have moved laterally across systems, targeting critical servers and sensitive databases. Additionally, reports indicate that the attackers encrypted files, which not only crippled operations but also locked dealerships out of vital data. As a result, dealerships relying on CDK’s systems faced severe disruptions, highlighting the far-reaching impact of such breaches.
Moreover, in addition to the immediate disruption, the breach created significant challenges for CDK Global’s cybersecurity team. Not only did they need to focus on detecting the breach, but they also had to halt further intrusion while simultaneously initiating recovery efforts. Consequently, these activities consumed both time and resources, making it clear how damaging such attacks can be.
Ultimately, the incident underscored the complexity of defending against sophisticated cyber threats in real-time. Therefore, this breach serves as a critical reminder that cybersecurity measures must evolve continually to stay ahead of potential threats.
The Immediate Impact on CDK Global and Dealerships
The CDK cyber attack sent shockwaves through the automotive industry, disrupting operations for dealerships relying on their software solutions. With key services offline, dealerships experienced issues ranging from delayed transactions to complete operational standstills.
Financial losses mounted quickly as dealerships struggled to process sales, manage inventory, and maintain customer communication. Customer dissatisfaction grew, with many dealerships reporting frustrated buyers and missed revenue opportunities during the outage.
Additionally, CDK Global faced reputational damage as clients began questioning the company’s cybersecurity measures. In the digital age, trust is vital, and breaches like these create long-lasting doubts about an organization’s ability to safeguard sensitive information.
Moreover, the breach likely triggered regulatory scrutiny. With increasing global focus on data privacy laws, breaches involving customer data raise compliance challenges for companies like CDK Global.
Key Lessons from the CDK Cyber Attack
The CDK cyber attack offers several important lessons for organizations of all sizes. Cybersecurity is no longer an optional investment—it is a critical business imperative. Here are the takeaways:
Proactive Security Measures Are Essential
Organizations cannot afford to adopt reactive cybersecurity strategies. Threats evolve rapidly, and proactive monitoring, regular penetration testing, and threat intelligence are crucial.
Employee Awareness Reduces Risk
Phishing and social engineering attacks remain common entry points for cybercriminals. Regular training for employees can significantly reduce this risk.
Incident Response Plans Save Time
Having a well-defined and tested incident response plan can minimize downtime and mitigate the impact of breaches.
Third-Party Risk Management is Critical
Businesses must scrutinize the cybersecurity measures of third-party vendors. Reliance on external providers introduces new vulnerabilities.
Regular Software Updates Close Vulnerabilities
Delaying updates and patches creates exploitable weaknesses. Ensuring all systems remain up-to-date helps prevent breaches.
The Role of Ransomware in the CDK Cyber Attack
Cybersecurity experts suspect that ransomware played a role in the CDK cyber attack. Ransomware encrypts files, rendering them inaccessible until a ransom is paid. This tactic has become increasingly common, targeting industries with significant financial stakes.
In the case of CDK Global, ransomware likely disrupted dealership operations by locking access to critical files. Furthermore, the attackers might have demanded payment in exchange for decrypting the files.
Organizations facing ransomware attacks often face a dilemma—pay the ransom to resume operations or refuse, risking prolonged downtime. However, paying doesn’t guarantee data recovery and can embolden attackers. Companies must weigh these risks and consider investing in backup systems and recovery tools to mitigate ransomware’s effects.
The Role of Data Privacy in the CDK Cyber Attack
Data privacy is a growing concern, especially with incidents like the CDK cyber attack. Dealerships store sensitive customer data, including financial details, which makes them attractive targets for cybercriminals.
When breaches like this occur, customers’ personal information risks being exposed. In response, regulators enforce strict data privacy standards to protect consumers. Non-compliance can result in severe fines and penalties for organizations.
CDK Global’s breach emphasizes the importance of maintaining robust data privacy measures. Encryption, anonymization, and access controls are just a few strategies that could have mitigated the risks posed by the attack.
How Companies Can Strengthen Cybersecurity After the CDK Cyber Attack
In the wake of the CDK cyber attack, organizations must take steps to strengthen their defenses. Here’s how companies can build resilience against future threats:
Invest in Advanced Threat Detection
Implement tools that use artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect unusual activity and flag potential intrusions.
Adopt Zero-Trust Architectures
The zero-trust model assumes all users and devices could be threats. Strict access controls and continuous verification reduce risks.
Focus on Backup and Disaster Recovery
Regularly backing up systems and data ensures organizations can recover quickly without paying ransoms in ransomware attacks.
Collaborate with Cybersecurity Experts
Partnering with external cybersecurity firms allows organizations to stay updated on the latest threats and protective measures.
Conduct Regular Risk Assessments
Organizations must evaluate vulnerabilities and address weaknesses through ongoing risk assessments and penetration testing.
Conclusion: A Warning and Opportunity for Stronger Cybersecurity
The CDK cyber attack is a stark reminder of the evolving nature of cyber threats in today’s interconnected world. Organizations like CDK Global, serving as vital links in complex supply chains, have an even greater responsibility to safeguard their systems and clients.
However, incidents like these also present opportunities for growth and improvement. Companies can learn from this breach to bolster defenses, implement advanced technologies, and create a culture of security awareness.
As industries become more reliant on digital platforms, cybersecurity must remain a top priority. The CDK cyber attack is not just a cautionary tale—it’s a rallying call for organizations to future-proof themselves against increasingly sophisticated threats.
FAQs
What is the CDK cyber attack?
The CDK cyber attack refers to a breach targeting CDK Global’s systems, disrupting operations for dealerships relying on their software.
How did the CDK cyber attack impact dealerships?
The attack disrupted dealership operations, delaying transactions, reducing revenue, and increasing customer dissatisfaction due to service outages.
Was ransomware involved in the CDK cyber attack?
While not confirmed, experts suspect ransomware was a likely component, as it’s a common tactic in such breaches.
What lessons can be learned from the CDK cyber attack?
The attack highlights the importance of proactive security measures, incident response planning, and thorough vendor cybersecurity evaluations.
How can companies strengthen their cybersecurity defenses?
Businesses can adopt zero-trust architectures, conduct regular risk assessments, invest in AI-powered threat detection, and improve backup systems.
What role does data privacy play in cyber attacks?
Data privacy is crucial, as breaches expose sensitive customer information. Companies must comply with regulations to protect consumers and avoid penalties.
Android is one of the leading operating systems and a lot of users are using apps built on Android. You will see a lot of companies working on the Android operating systems, and bringing out great apps for the end users.
A lot of companies are offering custom android application development services to accommodate the requirements of the clients and come up with great digital solutions.
The utmost goal is to meet their requirements and come up with a digital solution that matches the clients’ requirements.
In this highly competitive time, it’s vital for the app developers to read about the technology in detail first and then proceed further.
It’s going to be a great discussion for us, as we will open up about different trending apps that are built on Android operating systems.
Are you excited to explore them with us? Let’s get started.
Android App Development Ideas — Points to Know
In this section, we are going to explore the Android app development ideas that were great enough to be discussed.
1. E-commerce App Development
The first idea about Android app development would be E-commerce ideas, like, building an app for sellers and buyers building a great platform for both of them.
Sellers and buyers are getting orders pushed through it and getting revenue in return. It’s a great opportunity for them to increase the marketplace ratio and get amazing results for both the parties.
You can get the products listed with compelling captions and of course once you have finished this entire process, you will get a great result.
So, explore leading competitors like Alibaba, and Amazon to get an idea how they are operating & the revenue they are generating from it.
Eventually you will learn the pathway to a successful app development and it’s going to be a great experience for both the parties.
2. Medical App Development
The second app that we are going to discuss that could be built on the Android operating system is medical app development where you can create a platform for both doctors, patients and admin to collaborate with each other.
With the online counselling sessions, you can communicate with the doctors online and discuss with them about the issues related to health.
App developers must focus on medical app development, especially as users upload medical prescriptions online through media options and explore various exciting features. We, of course, love building such applications using the latest trending technologies.
Doctor On Demand is a great published example of an Android app that is used by the users worldwide and they enjoy using it.
3. Parking App for Customers
Suppose you are visiting somewhere and planning to reach a mart or somewhere parking is hard to find then what would you require for a rescue? A great parking application would be the best available option and you will get the details related to parking slots online.
Hence you can reach the space and see if the parking space is ideal for you or not. In this way, your time will be saved.
4. Realtors App for Sellers
A real estate company is looking for a property manager who could manage and post everything online with them for further consideration.
With great technologies and of course Android app development, you can build a realtor app where real estate owners can get the properties being listed and connect with buyers and sellers both.
In this way, you can make things easier for each other and it’s a great discussion for the people who are interested in app development.
A lot of companies are also offering best flutter app development services for building app on flutter technologies
By integrating augmented reality technology, you can give clients and sellers the chance to view the locations and properties online through AR and get a holistic overview.
5. Fashion Apparel Application
On the fifth, we have a fashion apparel application where the app developers are working on Android app development for fashion apparel brands and build an app with interesting features and functionalities.
Customers can get an idea of how they can publish articles like dresses online on websites and generate revenue.
The online store management would be a great discussion for the people to generate revenue and eventually build a brand image in the digital world where every other day a new trend is coming up.
Try to add up different technologies within the application to turn the tables in your favor and generate great results as the final outcome.
The more compelling and engaging you design your applications, the more users will enjoy placing orders online, with order management and notifications keeping them informed about orders being processed, delivered, or on the way.
6. Food Ordering Application
On the sixth we have a food ordering application where you are allowed to place the orders online and get it delivered to your door steps.
Mobile software development services include the food ordering and delivery app where you can enjoy eating any type of cuisine and have a great time with your friends and families.
It’s undoubtedly going to be a fantastic experience for both customers and restaurant owners alike, as they discover an exciting new way to order and enjoy a variety of delicious food online during this cozy winter season
Moreover, with Christmas just around the corner, it becomes an even better opportunity to relish your favorite meals, conveniently order for your loved ones, and take advantage of some amazing deals along the way.
Wrapping Up — Android is the new game changer!
We’re concluding for the day and hope you found value in exploring the diverse apps being developed with Android technology. However, this is just the beginning! Next, we’ll dive into the different factors involved in the Android app development process and explore how you can leverage those apps to generate greater revenue.
Command: clock set [hh:mm:ss] [month day year]
Function: Sets the system time on a Cisco device.
Parameters:
- hh: The hour (00 to 23)
- mm: The minute (00 to 59)
- ss: The second (00 to 59)
- month: The month (1 to 12)
- day: The day (1 to 31)
- year: The year (1900 to 2099)
Usage:
Theclock setcommand can be used to set the system time on a Cisco device. The command is entered in the following format:
clock set [hh:mm:ss] [month day year]
For example, to set the system time to 12:34:56 on January 1, 2023, you would enter the following command:
clock set 12:34:56 01 01 2023
Compatibility:
Theclock setcommand is supported on all Cisco devices that run the IOS operating system.
Example:
The following example shows how to use theclock setcommand to set the system time on a Cisco router:
Router> enable
Router# configure terminal
Router(config)# clock set 12:34:56 01 01 2023
Router(config)# end
Router#
Additional Information:
- The
clock setcommand can also be used to set the system time on a Cisco switch. - The
clock setcommand is not supported on Cisco ASA firewalls. - The
clock setcommand can be used to set the system time on a Cisco router that is running the IOS XR operating system. - The
clock setcommand can be used to set the system time on a Cisco router that is running the NX-OS operating system.
clock set [hh:mm:ss] [month day year] Usage Examples
Example 1: Setting the system time to 1:30 PM on January 15, 2023.
clock set 13:30:00 Jan 15 2023
Example 2: Setting the system time to 8:00 AM on March 8, 2024.
clock set 08:00:00 Mar 8 2024
Example 3: Setting the system time to 11:45 PM on December 31, 2025.
clock set 23:45:00 Dec 31 2025
Example 4: Setting the system time to 10:00 AM on February 29, 2028, a leap year.
clock set 10:00:00 Feb 29 2028
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