A CTO and consultant. Designed, recommended and deployed Software-Defined Data Center solutions for the customers in Europe. Promoted SDN at Cisco and VMware. Working knowledge with hybrid cloud solutions based on Cisco, VMware and AWS. He contributed to new features in Unified MPLS, Adaptive Code Modulation, Autonomic Networking. A speaker at VMworld, VMUG, Cisco Live, PLNOG and other conferences. Launched the Cloud Infra meetup. An author of network design, IPv6, MPLS, Carrier Ethernet, Multicast and CCIE bootcamps. His certifications include CCDE 2012::7, CCIE SP, R&S #19476, VCIX-NV, AWS SAA. A certified Cisco and AWS instructor. Co-founder of a startup around networking and analytics. An expert in emulating L2/L3 loops.

Networking geek and engineer - currently Product Manager at Cisco Security Business Group. Begun his networking career in 1997 working with various telecommunication areas. In 2006 moved to Cisco, and while reaching for his double CCIE (Routing&Switching and Service Providers) and CCDE, was responsible for Partners and projects spanning various technologies and types of customers. Actively engaged in various networking projects outside of his work at Cisco, focused on education and best practices sharing. Creator of BGP Blackholing project; author of self-developed IPv6, MPLS, QoS, multicast, IGP and BGP, SP Security and CCIE bootcamp hands-on trainings; Co-creator of PLNOG and active speaker on other conferences, also leader of Cisco ISP SWAT team, coordinating efforts to help defend Service Provider networks under active attack around the world.

Nicholas (Nick) Russo, CCDE™ #20160041 and CCIE™ #42518, holds active CCIE certifications in both Routing and Switching and Service Provider. Nick was among the first individuals to pass the CCIE Service Provider version 4 lab examination and this book represents his personal journey towards that end. Nick also holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science, and a minor in International Relations, from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Nick lives in Maryland, USA with his wife, Carla, and daughter, Olivia.