AI Networking Cookbook Review: A Practical Guide for Network Engineers

AI Networking Cookbook Review: A Practical Guide for Network Engineers

Eric Chou has done it again.

His newest book, AI Networking Cookbook (also available on Amazon Kindle) is out now and yes, if you’re a Network Engineer even remotely curious about AI, you should absolutely read it.

I’ve read several of Eric’s books over the years, including Mastering Python Networking, and Kafka Up and Running for Network DevOps. What keeps me coming back is his teaching style: he shows you exactly what you need to know—nothing more, nothing less.

While Eric is clearly a deeply experienced Network Engineer, he never overdoes the explanations. He doesn’t assume you already live and breathe AI, Python, or automation. Instead, he meets you where you are and shows you precisely where to start.

The Recipes

Every great cookbook needs recipes, and this one delivers.

The recipes in AI Networking Cookbook are designed to build on each other. Concepts you learn early carry forward naturally into later chapters. That said, each recipe can also stand on its own. Eric does a great job of providing just enough context so you can jump in where you need to.

And here’s the part I really appreciate: even if you know little to nothing about Python, Docker, Network Automation, or APIs that’s okay. Eric doesn’t hand-wave the setup or skip steps. He walks you through exactly what to do so you can focus on learning and applying the ideas instead of fighting your environment.

The Context (Prompt Engineering that Actually Works)

One of the biggest takeaways from the book is how important context is when working with AI.

You’ll often hear this referred to as prompt engineering, but Eric frames it in a way that immediately makes sense. The analogy he uses is simple and effective:

You’re onboarding a very capable new coworker and explaining the specifics of your network.

That mindset changed everything for me.

Eric shows how to use proper context and structured prompts to generate:

• Standardized scripts
• Documentation
• Methods Operating Procedures (MOPs)
• Even network diagrams

You know, all the important but time-consuming stuff most network engineers never quite get around to.

Instead of asking for a generic “best practice BGP config,” you learn how to ask for your config:

For a specific platform, with specific constraints, and specific hardening requirements.

And you can even add your company specific gold star config details.

That’s where AI actually becomes useful.

Very Fast ROI

This book is also a fast, approachable read. At under 200 pages, you can easily get through it over a weekend or a handful of lunch breaks.

More importantly, you’ll be able to apply what you learn almost immediately. The ideas and examples translate directly into real workflows, helping you save time and reduce friction in your day-to-day work.

If you’re a network engineer wondering how AI actually fits into your job—not the hype, but the practical reality—AI Networking Cookbook is one of the best places to start.

Final Thoughts

What makes AI Networking Cookbook stand out is how practical and grounded it is. This isn’t an abstract look at AI or a future-casting thought piece—it’s a hands-on guide written by someone who understands how network engineers actually work. Eric Chou removes the intimidation factor from AI, focuses on real workflows, and shows how a little structure and context can turn AI into a genuinely useful tool. If you’ve been curious about AI but unsure where it fits into your day-to-day work, this book provides a clear, approachable, and immediately useful path forward.

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