The Everything Feed - All Packet Pushers Pods

Darren Fullwell, Field CTO of IP Fabric, shares his extensive networking experience, from early LANs to modern enterprise architectures. He delves into the fascinating concept of network digital twins, explaining their importance in automation and how they simulate network behavior to predict changes effectively. Fullwell discusses the role of AI in enhancing network operations and emphasizes the need for observability and adaptability in NetOps careers. His insights highlight the transformative potential of these technologies in networking.

Phil Gervasi, a network engineer and AI expert, delves into the conversations that happen when executives propose AI initiatives. He breaks down what 'AI' means for networking in 2025, discussing essential concepts like data pipelines and intent workflows. Phil emphasizes the importance of clearly defining business objectives and aligning them with technical requirements to avoid pitfalls. He also evaluates building in-house versus renting GPU resources while highlighting the crucial network needs for successful AI implementation.

This discussion kicks off an exciting new journey into enterprise IT. The hosts, with extensive backgrounds in networking and career growth, share their unique paths. They emphasize the importance of diverse career stories in technology. Engaging with the audience through Q&A sessions, they aim to make technical topics accessible. The community aspect shines as they connect with early-career professionals. Tune in for insights that demystify the tech world one story at a time!

Avery Pennarun, co-founder and CEO of Tailscale, shares his journey from creating his first mesh VPN to revolutionizing modern networking. He discusses how Tailscale aims to enhance the OSI model by introducing a new internet layer and its innovative use of WireGuard. The conversation reveals insights into Tailscale’s unique full-mesh architecture and how DERP relays facilitate NAT traversal. Avery also delves into the impact of AI on networking, identity delegation, and the practicalities of implementing zero-trust models.

Celebrate a remarkable milestone as the hosts reflect on five years of network automation conversations. They share their personal journeys, revealing the evolution of their podcast and the community's role in storytelling. Discover the challenges faced in podcast production, from time management to adapting formats. Laugh along with humorous anecdotes and insights on the growth of network engineering. They also discuss crafting engaging experiences and the importance of communication skills in guest selection.

Discover the fascinating world of measuring IPv6 and its deployment statistics. Learn why tracking IPv6 adoption is crucial for network management. The hosts highlight a significant rise in IPv6 prefixes, revealing key trends. Explore essential metrics related to cloud support and enterprise adoption. The discussion emphasizes proactive data collection in dual stack environments. Ultimately, data and statistics are championed as tools to advocate for IPv6 integration, challenging misconceptions and showcasing growth.

You can build effective, scalable detection pipelines using free and open-source tools like Zeek, Suricata, YARA, and Security Onion. Today on Packet Protector we welcome Matt Gracie, Senior Engineer at Security Onion Solutions — the team behind the open-source platform used for detection engineering, network security monitoring, and log management. Matt has over 15 years... Read more »

Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) promises enterprises the ability to set up and configure connectivity and network security with a couple of clicks. But for NaaS to truly transform enterprise networking, one thing has been missing: standards. Enter Mplify (formerly the Metro Ethernet Forum), a non-profit focused on standardizing NaaS service definitions. Mplify’s CTO, Pascal Menezes, joins Johna... Read more »

Listener feedback sparks a deep dive into OSPF multi-area deployments and the intricacies of Link State Advertisements (LSAs). The discussion highlights the challenges and advantages of multi-area configurations versus single-area setups. Various LSA types are explored, particularly Types 1, 2, 3, and the unique Type 7 from NSSA. Historical practices and personal experiences from the speakers add depth to the conversation, while emphasizing the importance of audience engagement and understanding in networking.

The hosts dive into the latest tech news, addressing some listener feedback on Cisco's wireless history. They discuss alarming cybersecurity vulnerabilities in Microsoft Defender and Outlook. Exciting advancements in AI from Cisco and F5 take center stage, especially regarding security operations. Oracle's massive $35 billion bet on AI and cloud services signals a significant shift in the tech landscape, while Microsoft's strategy to unbundle its Teams service could reshape user choices and collaboration tools.