The Everything Feed - All Packet Pushers Pods

In this discussion, wireless network engineer Jerry Olla dives deep into the roaming behavior of Wi-Fi clients across the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands. He shares insights from his extensive testing, revealing how device preferences impact connectivity and performance. Key topics include the challenges and benefits of the new 6 GHz band, the significance of the 802.11k standard in enhancing mobility, and strategies for optimizing Wi-Fi networks, particularly with tri-band devices. Jerry’s innovative testing methods also shed light on improving client connectivity during roaming.

Discover the urgency of a critical SAP vulnerability that permits unauthorized file uploads. Learn about Forward Networks' new endpoint discovery feature designed to enhance security. Dive into the implications of a major Zoom outage linked to DNS issues. Explore the shift in Apple's iPhone production to India amid tariff challenges. Unpack Intel's financial struggles, including anticipated layoffs, while Google advances AI technology amidst regulatory scrutiny. A whirlwind of network innovations and industry challenges awaits!

Bob Friday, Chief AI Officer of Mist/Juniper, pioneering AI in networking, discusses the critical importance of confidence in adopting new technologies. He shares insights on the shift from traditional networking to AI-driven solutions, emphasizing community collaboration among engineers for troubleshooting. The conversation highlights the transformation brought by natural language interfaces and the trend towards Service Level Expectations. Bob also explores the essential role of cloud technology and generative AI in enhancing network operations, encouraging continuous learning in the industry.

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a very new protocol that provides a standard way to link AI models to a variety of data sources and tools. As the industry heads toward agentic AI–in which an AI agent interacts with disparate applications, data sources, and other agents to achieve a task–MCP provides the protocol glue. On... Read more »

Chris Leonard, a team interventions expert and creator of a 40-day accelerator program, shares insights on enhancing team dynamics. He discusses the costs of team interventions, emphasizing the dangers of hero culture and the importance of collaboration. The conversation delves into leadership anxiety and imposter syndrome, particularly among startup founders. Leonard highlights effective communication strategies, the role of intervention in fostering growth, and how his program can help teams regain sustainable performance.

Discover how the Domain Name System keeps the internet running smoothly by translating domain names into IP addresses. Learn about the critical functions of root servers, caching, and the public DNS players like Google and Cloudflare. Dive into the complexities of DNS configuration and how 'gray failures' can disrupt connectivity. Uncover the significance of Time to Live (TTL) for DNS records and the impact of these configurations during network crises. Perfect for anyone curious about the nuts and bolts of internet connectivity!

Chris Grundemann, co-founder of the Network Automation Forum and managing director of Grundemann Technology Solutions, dives into the transformative realm of network automation. He discusses the forum's history and the importance of blending technology with community. Highlights include the evolution of networking careers, the challenges of organizing events without sponsorship, and the critical need for sustainability in open-source projects. Chris emphasizes fostering collaboration and engaging the next generation in shaping the future of network automation.

Working with multiple Infrastructure as Code (IAC) tools can be painful. Spacelift provides a platform that operates on top of disparate IaC tools, including Ansible, Kubernetes, Pulumi, Terraform, and OpenTofu. Spacelift helps build the automation with and between these tools, creating graphs of graphs that make your dependencies just work. On today’s show, we talk... Read more »

Dive into the latest cybersecurity issues, including a persistent flaw in Fortinet devices that allows unauthorized access despite patches. Discover the chilling implications of government investigations on cybersecurity firms. Explore the concept of 'package hallucinations' in AI, revealing risks for developers. Uncover troubling security lapses in software supply chains illustrated by a case at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Finally, learn about the Fast Flux technique used by malware to evade detection.

Organizations face a daunting list of unpatched vulnerabilities that could lead to serious security breaches. The discussion emphasizes the need to hit the pause button on new IT projects and address these security issues first. Complacency in cybersecurity is critiqued, urging a shift towards a zero trust architecture. The podcast also spotlights evolving cyber threats, including the transition from individual hackers to organized nation-state actors. Humor is woven in while discussing cybercrime tactics, highlighting the modern risks that all companies face.