Hey there! I'm Pat Allen, though you might know me as Layer8Packet around the networking community.

I'm a 20-year veteran of the IT and networking world, currently serving as Manager of Network Engineering at a large regional retail chain. My career has been built on a foundation of Cisco technologies, complemented by certifications including CCNP Route/Switch, CCNA Security, Palo Alto PCNSA, and Azure Fundamentals.

Beyond the day job, I'm passionate about helping newcomers break into our industry as one-third of the podcast Breaking Down the Bytes – you can find us on your favorite podcast platform, where we share practical advice for IT career starters.

When I step away from the keyboard, life gets even more interesting. I'm a devoted husband and father to two amazing daughters here in Pennsylvania. You'll often find me perfecting my BBQ craft through my backyard brand The Amateur Pig, or channeling creativity into my comic book series under HiddenInkComics – both passion projects that keep life balanced and fun.

This blog serves as my outlet for sharing insights on networking technologies, career development, and the occasional technical deep dive that gets me excited. Whether you're troubleshooting your first OSPF neighbor relationship or planning your next career move, I hope you'll find something valuable here.

Feedback is always welcome – networking is better when it's a conversation!