The person behind the packets
I’m Bart Dorlandt — a network automation architect based in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, and the founder of Dream Networking & Automation. For over twenty years, networks have been more than a profession for me. They’re a fascination. From the moment I started pulling cables and chasing routing issues, I was hooked on understanding how things connect — and more importantly, how to make them work better.
That curiosity took me all the way to CCIE #43200, through years of designing, building, and troubleshooting networks across industries and borders. But somewhere along the way, I started asking a different question: why are we still doing this by hand?
There must be a better way
That question became an obsession. I started automating the repetitive, the error-prone, the things that kept waking people up at night. Not because automation is trendy — but because it’s just the right way to work. Less toil, fewer mistakes, more time for the things that actually require human thinking.
Through all of it, one thread runs constant: I love working with teams. I believe the best solutions come from people who trust each other, understand the problem deeply, and aren’t afraid to question assumptions. Put me in a room with a good team and a hard problem, and I’m in my element.
Sharing is part of the job
Knowledge hoarded is knowledge wasted. I’ve always believed that the best way to grow — personally and as a community — is to share openly. That’s why I organize NLNAM, the Network Automation Meetup in the Netherlands, bringing together practitioners of all levels every quarter to swap stories, ideas and hard-won lessons.
It’s also why I’ve spoken at conferences like Autocon3, PyGrunn and DKNOG, and appeared on podcasts like Packet Pushers. If something clicked for me, chances are it’ll click for someone else too.
What people say
"The first time I worked with Bart he proved his ability to understand complex problems and deliver quality solutions so well that I actively sought him out for my next project."
"A strong team player and good communicator managing to keep goals and scope in focus while solving tech."
"From the expected high technical expertise through the excellent trainer and communicator skills and up to the effective project management and highly organised approach to the work process."
"Extremely proactive in improving the complete system, he can easily switch between the bigger and smaller picture."
Background
I studied System & Network Administration at the University of Amsterdam and Communication Technology at the Hogeschool van Utrecht. Over the years I’ve held a CCIE in Routing & Switching (recertified in 2024 for 10 years), a Cisco DevNet Specialist certification, and various other Cisco credentials.
My toolbox spans Python, Go, Ansible, SaltStack, Terraform, Docker, Kafka, AWS, and more — but tools are secondary. What matters is understanding the problem well enough to pick the right ones.
Outside of work I enjoy obstacle running, woodworking, and spending time with family and friends.
Let’s talk
If you’re dealing with a network automation challenge — or just want to compare notes — I’d love to hear from you.