The Everything Feed - All Packet Pushers Pods

Mike Howe, VP of product marketing at Glueware, delves into the world of network automation solutions. He discusses the challenges of skepticism towards closed systems and the push for more open, scalable alternatives. Howe highlights Gluware Labs, a community edition designed to simplify automation for network engineers. He shares insights on structured configuration and the importance of collaboration in development. The conversation also touches on the role of the community in democratizing automation and enhancing skills with no-code solutions.

Brad Maltz, Senior Director of AI Solutions at Dell, shares his journey of "continuous reinvention" in the tech industry. He discusses the critical need for innovation in leadership, especially in the fast-evolving AI landscape. Maltz highlights the balance between research and practical development, offering strategies to keep engineering careers exciting. He also provides insights on presenting ideas to leadership and building trust in teams during organizational changes, emphasizing empathy and communication as key to collaboration.

This discussion dives into the four pivotal goals of network design: stability, speed, scalability, and security. The hosts share personal insights into managing the complexities of network architecture and project environments. They emphasize the balance between immediate needs and future growth while navigating budget constraints. The interplay between technical experts and business objectives is highlighted, along with practical strategies for improving network performance and fostering community engagement.

Ido Niemann, Founder and CEO of Firefly, dives into the intricacies of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and the 2025 trends shaping the industry. He discusses the dominance of Terraform and the challenges of cloud drift for teams transitioning to newer tools like OpenTofu. The conversation also highlights the pitfalls of ClickOps, and how AI is cautiously integrating into cloud management, alongside the tools that promise to enhance DevOps efficiency. Ido emphasizes the need for control and understanding in increasingly complex cloud environments.

Bart Dorlandt, a veteran in network automation, shares his motto, "There must be a better way!" He emphasizes the importance of focusing on process over tools to improve networking efficiencies. The conversation covers the evolving field of network engineering, the shift from manual tasks to automation, and the significance of mentorship in the community. Bart also discusses leveraging programming languages like Python and the impact of innovative practices on traditional networking, all while fostering a mindset of continuous improvement.

Dive into the world of microsegmentation, a cutting-edge approach to network security that enhances access control. Learn how it aligns with zero trust principles and its advantages over traditional methods like VLANs. Discover the specific challenges in securing IoT devices in healthcare, and find a roadmap for establishing effective zero-trust architectures. The discussion also covers the complexities of monitoring and auditing micro-segmentation policies, along with an overview of leading vendor solutions, ensuring you're equipped with the latest insights in network security.

Discover the vital role of Ops Architects in streamlining operations and architecture. The hosts debate whether to train architects in operations or vice versa while emphasizing the need for clearly defined organizational structures. They delve into the importance of practical operational insights in design and how AI can supercharge process optimization. Additionally, explore the challenges of technical silos and the dynamic between engineering and operations in hybrid organizations. It's a fascinating look at evolving roles in tech!

Sasha Velodnitsky, Co-founder of NetFlow Logic, dives into the latest tech phenomena. The discussion kicks off with the urgent security risk of IBM Tivoli's unpatched vulnerability. They also explore Salesforce's strategic $8 billion acquisition of Informatica, aiming to enhance data governance. Velodnitsky highlights the importance of adopting post-quantum cryptographic measures as quantum technology advances. Additionally, they unveil features of the NetFlow Optimizer, which optimizes data integration for better network insights and security analysis.

Sasha Velodnitsky, Co-founder of NetFlow Logic and an expert in network metadata processing, joins the conversation to explore how to maximize the utility of NetFlow records. They delve into the significance of enriching these records for enhanced security and analysis. The discussion covers strategies to manage and reduce flow volume, ensuring critical data isn't lost. Sasha also highlights the NetFlow Optimizer's role in improving network efficiency and its integration with top data analysis tools like Splunk for optimized data handling.

Join Jason Ginterd, CTO at Lake Tech Communications and Ohio Internet Exchange volunteer, along with Jake Kuhn, Network Architect at Fortanix and former Merit Networks employee, as they tackle the essentials of Internet Routing Registries (IRRs) and Routing Policy Specification Language (RPSL). They discuss how these tools combat BGP hijacks and improve network governance. The conversation dives into the evolution of routing policies, best practices, and the significance of community engagement in enhancing internet security and efficiency.