I also work at an ISP. I feel like building a big complex router configuration can classify as hacking. You're creating something that didn't exist before you took the router out of the box. Maybe you're limited to the device's capabilities and features but there's still plenty of room for creativity and skill in how you design and implement solutions.
Good point. I guess by hacker I meant coder/programmer. Most of the articles here refer to programming or other similar complex problems.
Whilst BGP next-hops, OSPF neighbours and flapping spanning-tree can be a pain in the arse to debug, I just don't quite consider it on the same level as some of the stuff I read here.
Maybe it's just because I don't understand it, so it seems more complex than it really is?
I am proud of my work and I love my job, so I'm happy in that regard!
