The Everything Feed - All Packet Pushers Pods
TNO029: The Power of Curiosity With Michael Costello
May 16, 2025
Michael Costello, a Board Member at NANOG and a Distinguished Engineer at Saviynt, shares his inspiring journey from junior network engineer to cybersecurity leader. He discusses the importance of scalability and automation in network management, along with the evolution of content delivery networks in streaming. Michael emphasizes the significance of curiosity in problem-solving, navigates the transition from CLI to cloud management, and highlights the need for inclusivity in tech education, advocating for skills over degrees.
45:41
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Quick takeaways
- Michael Costello's career highlights the significance of curiosity and contextual understanding in effectively navigating complex network engineering environments.
- The transition from manual network configuration to automation practices is crucial for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, especially in large-scale operations like Netflix's Open Connect.
Deep dives
The Journey into Network Operations
Michael Costello shares his journey into network operations, which began in the late 1990s through an opportunity presented by a mentor. His experiences ranged from working as a network engineer at Penteladata to attempting to start an ISP, all while gaining practical skills in sysadmin work and network design. His transition from technical roles to leadership came through a blend of hands-on experience and academic pursuits, including graduate studies in computer science and security. This background laid the foundation for his understanding of both the technical and operational aspects of large-scale network management.
