Bryan Cantrill, CTO of Oxide Computer Company, shares insights from his journey spanning Sun to Oxide, discussing topics like building cloud servers, debugging latency issues, founding CFS, transitioning to Rust, forming Oxide, troubles with Dell machines, and the challenges of starting a new venture and fundraising.
Building trust with customers through transparency and open source technologies in computing infrastructure.
Uncovering the value of JavaScript from underestimation to full utilization in frontend and server-side applications.
Exploring how divergent core values in the community led to the I/O.js fork and shaped software platforms.
Transitioning from Node.js to Rust due to values misalignment and founding Oxide with aligned vision.
Envisioning a future where on-prem cloud servers offer viable alternatives driven by economics, risk, and latency considerations.
Deep dives
The Foundation of Trust in Computing Infrastructure
The speaker reflects on the importance of trust in computing infrastructure, emphasizing the significance of building relationships with customers based on transparency and trust. The speaker highlights the value of open source technologies in allowing engineers to achieve enduring meaning and shares experiences during the Sun-Oracle acquisition, shedding light on the contrasting customer trust levels between the two companies.
The Evolution of JavaScript and Node.js
The discussion delves into the speaker's journey with JavaScript, from initially underestimating it to fully embracing its potential on both frontend and server-side applications. The speaker recalls exploring JavaScript at Joint through Node.js, eventually encountering and addressing deep fractures within the Node.js community, leading to introspection about values and divergences that influenced the I/O.js fork.
Unveiling the Underlying Values Clash
The narrative unfolds with a retrospective on the values clash that sparked the I/O.js fork, as the speaker elucidates the divergence in core values within the community. Past events such as TJ Holloway Chuck's departure from Node.js reveal broader issues impacting the ecosystem, driving some towards alternative platforms like Go. The talk culminates in a deeper understanding of how values shape software platforms and community dynamics.
Navigating Node.js Fractures and Strategic Decisions
The talk explores the complexity of values embedded in software platforms, surfacing the fissures within the Node.js domain that ultimately led to the I/O.js fork. By examining TJ Holloway Chuck's departure as a pivotal moment preluding the I/O.js events, the speaker navigates the strategic decisions and shifts in community dynamics that underpinned the evolution of Node.js. The discussion provides insights into the underlying values that shaped the Node.js sector and prompted key industry movements.
Reevaluating Node.js Usage and Transition to Rust
The speaker discusses his experience using Node.js and the transition to Rust. He highlights the reflective period he had when people were focused on personalities and conflicts in the tech community. The speaker felt Node.js wasn't a good fit for the software he wanted to write. After exploring alternatives, he found alignment in Rust's values with his own. This prompted the speaker to start a new company, Oxide, with a vision aligned with Rust's values.
Origins of Oxide and Partnership with Steve
The inception of Oxide began with the speaker's desire to work with his colleague, Steve, post their experience at a previous company. They both felt the need to venture into a new endeavor due to their dissatisfaction in the corporate environment. Concerns about job security propelled them to start something together. The speaker's conviction in building a new enterprise led to the creation of Oxide, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and shared values.
Challenges in Venture Capital Funding and Contrarian Mindset
The speaker recounts the challenges faced during the venture capital funding process for Oxide. He reflects on the contrarian mindset he embodies, emphasizing the importance of having courage in one's convictions. Despite the hurdles faced in securing funding, the speaker remains steadfast in the belief that being contrarian in the right way can lead to success. He acknowledges the need for the right investors who align with Oxide's vision and are willing to support its unique approach.
Vision for On-Prem and Public Cloud Computing
The speaker envisions a future where the choice between on-prem and public cloud computing is driven by economics, risk management, and latency considerations. He predicts a balanced market share between on-prem and public cloud services, with a significant portion of users opting for on-prem solutions for territorial, cost, or compliance reasons. By offering a viable on-prem option with developer-friendly features, Oxide aims to democratize infrastructure choices for customers and provide a seamless experience regardless of the deployment environment.
Transparency and Building Relationships with Customers
The podcast episode highlights the importance of transparency in business operations, particularly in sharing moments of uncertainty and challenges faced during the development process. By openly discussing engineering and compliance issues that are usually not revealed, companies can build stronger relationships with their customers. Providing insights into the technical aspects, challenges, and decision-making processes can enhance customer trust and loyalty.
Future Growth and Strategic Focus in Specific Industries
The discussion touches on the company's plans for future growth, including raising funds and focusing on industries like biotech, financial services, and energy. The emphasis is on targeting customers who have significant on-premises computing needs and a deep technical understanding of infrastructure. By aligning with sectors that require specialized computing solutions and demonstrating a commitment to quality and transparency, the company aims to navigate potential challenges in scaling operations and meeting increasing demand.
Bryan Cantrill, Co-founder and CTO of Oxide Computer Company, joins Adam to share his journey from Sun to Oxide – from Sun and Fishworks, to DTrace, to ZFS, to Joyent and Node.js, and now working to build on-prem cloud servers as they should be at Oxide.
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