Heavy Networking HN779: Do We Really Need the Modern Networking Stack?
May 2, 2025
Lee Harding, founder of Proxility, Anton Lönnebro, a solutions architect in Sweden, and Kieran Sheldon, an infrastructure engineer from Australia, engage in a lively discussion about the relevance of modern networking architectures. They dive into the debate over underlays and overlays, questioning if the overlay approach is overkill. The guests explore the evolution from static hardware to software-defined solutions, touching on SD-WAN benefits, and emphasize the vital role of foundational networking knowledge in navigating today’s complex tech landscape.
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Overlay Networks for Security
- The modern networking stack often involves overlay and underlay architectures primarily for security, segmentation, and reliable connectivity.
- Overlay tunneling like VXLAN is now pervasive, unlike in the past when tunneling was an exception mainly for interconnecting businesses.
Programmability Defines Modern Networking
- Modern networking enables programmability and developer accessibility beyond traditional CLI interfaces.
- This shift opens networking up to automation and rapid service delivery integrated with software development.
Master Networking Fundamentals First
- Start with networking fundamentals like Ethernet, IP, and routing before tackling complex modern stacks.
- Understanding basics is essential to diagnose and troubleshoot advanced network behaviors effectively.