The Infra Pod
What is Platform Engineering? Chat with Ian Nowland
Feb 24, 2025
Ian Nowland, a platform engineering expert and co-founder of Junction Labs, shares insights from his remarkable journey through Amazon and Datadog. He delves into the evolution of platform engineering and its differences from traditional IT roles. Ian discusses the challenges of multi-cluster Kubernetes networking and the need for simplified service discovery. He also critiques the future of Kubernetes, suggesting higher-level abstractions, and emphasizes the importance of dynamic configuration in enhancing application functionality. Tune in for expert strategies and innovation!
40:06
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Quick takeaways
- Platform engineering emphasizes in-house software development to create tailored solutions that better meet specific organizational needs.
- Collaboration between systems administrators and software developers is essential for effective platform engineering, as it bridges the gap between infrastructure management and business logic creation.
Deep dives
Foundation of Platform Engineering
Platform engineering is defined as the internal development of systems that focus on providing robust solutions for internal customers. This approach contrasts with the industry's trend of mixing disparate open-source tools and vendor products, which often leads to disjointed solutions. The emphasis is on significant in-house software development to tailor platforms to specific company needs rather than relying on generic platforms. The idea is that effective platforms enable product teams to innovate and deliver more rapidly.
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