In this engaging discussion, Pete Membrey, Chief Research Officer at Kape Technologies, shares his journey from finance to pioneering VPN solutions. He dives into the innovative design of Lightway, a new VPN protocol built using Rust, detailing its performance and security advantages. Pete emphasizes the value of open-source contributions and the Rust community, offering insights for aspiring programmers. He passionately advocates for Rust as the future of high-performance, secure software development, highlighting its growing importance in the tech landscape.
Pete Membrey's programming journey showcases an early passion for coding that evolved into impactful technology roles, highlighting the importance of problem-solving.
The development of Lightway at ExpressVPN reflects a commitment to addressing user needs for efficiency and security, combining strengths from existing VPN technologies.
ExpressVPN's dedication to open source not only enhances transparency but fosters community collaboration, improving technology quality and security through proactive engagement.
Deep dives
Overview of RustAsia 2025 Conference
The RustAsia 2025 conference is set to be a significant event for the Rust programming community, taking place on March 28th in Hong Kong. Prominent speakers, workshops, and various topics ranging from WebAssembly to Terminal UIs will be showcased, making it an excellent opportunity for networking and skill development. Companies like ExpressVPN and Jane Street will be present, offering job opportunities and a chance to engage directly with industry leaders. This event underscores the growing importance and influence of Rust in the tech landscape.
Peter Membry's Programming Journey
Peter Membry shares his extensive programming background, beginning at a young age with devices like the Commodore 64. His early experiences ignited a passion for creating and solving problems through coding, which has influenced his entire career. As a programmer and teacher since age 11, Membry's expertise spans various roles, including a significant position in high-frequency finance, where he utilized programming to improve processes and efficiency. His journey highlights the intrinsic connection between problem-solving and the evolution of his career towards impactful technology roles.
Transition from Finance to ExpressVPN
Membry details his transition from finance to ExpressVPN, highlighting the importance of privacy in contrast to a finance sector focused primarily on profit. His work in finance involved low-level protocols and optimizing market data processing, skills that proved beneficial at ExpressVPN. There, he contributed to developing the Lightway protocol, which aims to address real-world issues in VPN efficiency and security. This shift illustrates how skills from seemingly unrelated industries can converge to create significant advancements in technology and user privacy.
The Development of Lightway Protocol
The Lightway protocol was created to overcome limitations in existing VPN technologies like OpenVPN and WireGuard, targeting consumer needs for speed and security. Membry emphasizes that despite existing solutions, the specific requirements for a large user base necessitated the development of a unique protocol. Designed to balance the effectiveness of OpenVPN with the performance of WireGuard, Lightway incorporates features that facilitate seamless connectivity across varying networks. This innovation reflects a commitment to improving user experience while maintaining high security standards.
The Benefits of Open Source Contributions
ExpressVPN's dedication to open source is evident in their investment in the Rust community and other projects, reflecting a commitment to giving back to the technologies that support their products. By open-sourcing Lightway, the company not only fosters transparency but also invites community collaboration and improvement. This cooperative spirit widens the developer ecosystem and enhances the overall quality and security of the technology. Additionally, initiatives like bounties for identifying bugs demonstrate a proactive approach to software safety and community engagement, encouraging a culture of continuous support and improvement.
Allen Wyma talks with Pete Membrey, Chief Research Officer at Kape Technologies. Pete is a software engineer with a passion for bringing technology to better the world.
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