The Anycast with Matt Levine

Welcome to an engaging episode featuring Tom Daly, the renowned New Hampshire tech guru, who shares his exhilarating journey in the tech landscape. From his humble beginnings with a fascination for dial-up ISPs during high school to his significant role at Metro2000 Internet Services, Tom’s story is one of passion and persistence. Hear firsthand how he transitioned from tech support to Chief Technology Officer at Dyn DNS, where he championed the development of the DynECT Managed DNS platform. Tom also reflects on his impactful tenure at Fastly, where he transformed their global network infrastructure, and his latest endeavor, Big Network, aimed at fortifying connectivity for tier two and tier three ISPs. In this episode, we explore the themes of resilience and reinvention through the evolution of the Dyn platform and its enduring software component, Tutor. Despite Dyn no longer being a public authoritative DNS provider, its innovative technology continues to thrive within Oracle's OCI cloud business, showcasing a testament to Tom’s enduring impact. Join us as we celebrate the legacy of Tom’s work and the continuous advancements in the tech industry, painting a vivid picture of triumph and technological evolution. Whether you’re a tech aficionado or captivated by stories of success, this conversation promises to inform and inspire.   Tom Daly on LinkedIn

Get ready for an extraordinary conversation with Avi Freedman, a trailblazer in the realm of internet infrastructure. Avi recounts his remarkable journey from tinkering with computers in 1978 to launching Philadelphia's first ISP, and his current leadership role at Kentik. With an insider’s view on the transition of Kentik towards enterprise solutions, Avi also shares his profound insights into the contrasting cultures of web companies and traditional enterprises. Managing a growing business, fostering diverse perspectives, and the intricate art of people management are just a few of the rich topics we unpack. And, of course, we couldn't resist delving into how his poker prowess plays a pivotal role in his strategic business decisions. In another enlightening segment, we scrutinize the delicate art of recognition in the workplace. It's a fine line between sincere appreciation and praise that feels forced or patronizing. We explore the evolution of cultural norms around recognition over the past decades and stress the importance of thoughtful and intentional acknowledgment. Striking the perfect balance where recognition feels genuine and motivating, without tipping into the realm of insincerity, forms the crux of our discussion. Tune in for actionable insights that promise to transform your approach to giving and receiving recognition in your professional life.   Avi Freedman on LinkedIn

Dive deep into the world of cloud infrastructure and innovative technology sales with our special guest, Greg Moss. From his roots in the Bronx to founding Hook Safe, Greg’s journey is an inspiring tale of perseverance and success. Learn about his transition into technology recruiting and his influential roles at Upstack and CloudAdvise. Greg demystifies the complex landscape of cloud infrastructure, discussing its definitions and real-world applications. He also sheds light on the rising trend of de-clouding, providing essential questions to consider when evaluating cloud solutions. In another insightful segment, Greg offers practical advice for those aspiring to excel in infrastructure sales. Discover the importance of selecting relevant and urgent technologies to enhance the efficiency and profitability of your sales efforts. Greg shares invaluable tips and strategies to help you thrive in the dynamic world of infrastructure sales and cloud solutions. Don't miss this opportunity to gain wisdom from Greg Moss's remarkable journey and actionable insights. Tune in to elevate your career and business acumen with this enriching episode!   Greg Moss on LinkedIn

Mehmet Akcin, a seasoned IT veteran from industry giants like Microsoft and Yahoo, joins us on The Anycast to share his riveting journey into entrepreneurship. His inspiring story reveals how personal challenges, such as his son's heart condition and his own eyesight issues, led him to establish EdgeUno, a company that specializes in cloud services and metro networks throughout Latin America. Mehmet opens up about the trials and triumphs of funding his venture through loans and the support of friends and positioning EdgeUno uniquely against larger tier-one providers. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone interested in the nuances of breaking into a niche market and the resilience it demands. In this episode, we also explore the essence of workplace motivation, particularly for young employees. Learn how conveying the crucial mission of the company, emphasizing the life-saving importance of their services in remote areas reliant on low orbit satellite connectivity, can instill a sense of purpose and energy within the team. By sharing compelling real-world impacts, we aim to inspire and energize our workforce.  We conclude with a  heartfelt thanks to Mehmet for his invaluable contributions and hint at future collaborations, reinforcing our mutual commitment to excellence and quick problem-solving. Tune in for a blend of heartfelt stories and professional wisdom that promises to leave you inspired.   EdgeUno.com Mehmet Akcin

What if your skepticism about a medium turned into admiration? Join us on The Anycast as we sit down with Kurt Mackey, CEO of Fly.io, to explore the transformative journey of podcasting. Kurt revisits the early days of the medium, sharing his invaluable experiences in the startup world. He reveals the delicate balance between fostering autonomy and establishing essential processes within a company. We dive into the rewarding, yet challenging, aspects of hiring junior staff and creating an environment where they can thrive. Kurt’s insights on leadership in fast-growing tech companies are not to be missed. From the frustration of digital input methods to the inefficacies of remote work technology, we hold nothing back. We discuss the struggle of converting physical drawings into digital formats and the disappointing performance of pin-based inputs. And yes, we even question the necessity of AirPods in today's tech ecosystem. Our heated conversation highlights the disconnection between our thoughts and the tools at our disposal. Tune in for an engaging discussion filled with personal anecdotes and forward-thinking perspectives on the current state of technology.   Fly.io  Fly.io on Twitter (@FlyDotIO)

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Jay Adelson, a long-time friend and esteemed business leader, as we navigate the complex world of running a business and the pivotal role of venture capital. We reflect on our own journeys, delving into the essence of passion and dedication that drives successful enterprises. Jay demystifies the often misunderstood concept of a "lifestyle business" and underscores the rarity of venture-funded companies, offering a candid look at how venture capital can either propel a business to new heights or introduce significant risk, contingent on its management. This episode also tackles the practical challenges of managing a development team under tight resource constraints. We share personal anecdotes about the balance of multiple responsibilities, such as sprint management without formal Agile certification, and the nuances of hiring the right talent, especially a savvy CTO. The discussion highlights the necessity of gradual progress before reaching for loftier goals and emphasizes the importance of cultural and skill-based fit in hiring for long-term success. We wrap up with a heartfelt moment of gratitude, underscoring the vital role of friendship and support in our professional lives.   Jay on Twitter (@JayAdelson) - https://twitter.com/jayadelson View The Anycast's full episode with Jay at https://www.theanycast.com/s1e1  

In this episode of The Anycast, Matt talks to Kristopher Beevers, the CEO of NetBox Labs, a solution that helps companies build and manage complex networks. Previously, Kris co-founded and led NS1, which was acquired by IBM in 2023. They discuss the remarkable rise of open-source projects, why many networking businesses are shifting towards cloud-based solutions, and the opportunities to watch out for in the networking space. What is NetBox, and what makes it unique? It’s a tool used for network documentation and automation, serving as a source of truth for network configurations. NetBox's business model differs from other open-source ventures because they focus more on alleviating the burden of software management for network engineers. Networking is evolving at a fast pace. Kristopher shares what you can do today to keep up and take advantage of future opportunities. The difference between building a company from zero to one, the startup experience, and one to N.  Kristopher breaks down the economics of the cloud and the type of companies that could save a lot of money by going to the cloud.  How open-source companies make money and stay in business.  According to Kristopher, hiring great people often comes down to impact. For example, engineers want to work on cool tech, but they also want to see that the tech they're working on has an impact on the world. Kristopher shares how being a parent changed his approach to leadership.  Matt and Kristopher discuss the resurgence of Nokia and how their decision to go the open-source route could restore their status as a tech and networking giant.  Matt and Kristopher agree that most network services will shift towards cloud-based solutions. Kristopher discusses the need to strike a balance between community-driven development and commercial support to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of open-source solutions. What is the sustainability of open-source projects like NetBox?  Matt and Kristopher agree that such projects can be widely adopted but often rely on volunteer contributions. This poses challenges in long-term maintenance, development, and profitability.  The pros and cons of building a company in public and transparently sharing the behind scenes of how you do it. Matt highlights the benefits of aligning employee development goals with the company's objectives. Companies must design roles that cater to an individual’s career paths and aspirations, while ensuring alignment between personal growth and organizational goals. Kristopher predicts that open-source solutions will disrupt traditional vendor ecosystems. More open-source solutions will gain traction and challenge established norms in the networking industry. For Kris, the reason AWS can give you the “cattle not pets” experience is purely scale. Even the biggest cloud providers can't deliver that experience because the scale isn't there. Mentioned in This Episode: Kristopher Beevers on LinkedIn NetBoxlabs.com ns1.com

Full episode launches on March 21

In this episode of The Anycast, Matt talks to Thomas Daly, an experienced technologist and the CEO of Big Network, a connectivity platform that securely connects networks and services between people, places, clouds and devices. They discuss where the edge of the internet is located, why DynDNS is still operational, and what Google’s announcement about egress fees means for cloud consumers.  Tom, a New Hampshire tech guru, shares his journey from the late '90s working as a managed service provider to establishing firms that focus on scaling technology and business growth.  Tom breaks down the difference between a physical network and a logical network.  According to Matt, it’s fiduciarily irresponsible to not build on the cloud if you’re starting a startup from zero. How people feel about you is based on how you made them feel on day one and how you made them feel on the last day.  Matt believes it’s crucial for service providers to give their customers a great experience the day they sign up and the day they part ways.  Why is DynDNS still operational? According to Tom, if DynDNS were to go away tomorrow, the global IP video surveillance business would crumble. Tom talks about the importance of efficient networking and the benefits of delivering resilient connectivity solutions for your customers. Tom and Matt define the edge of the internet. They agree that the edge is an abstract term for the point where a service provider gains or loses control over the routing policy based on user topology. Tom goes through the pros and cons of working in the networking space.  Matt and Tom discuss the internet supply chain, emphasizing how a problem for any provider affects the entire internet user experience.  They explore the common components provided by cloud providers and the potential drawbacks of building solely on the cloud. Tom shares his thoughts on the financial aspects of networking, from cloud credits, egress fees, and Google's decision to waive egress fees for users leaving their platform.  Tom questions the practical impact of egress fee waivers and how the charges discourage companies from transferring data to other cloud providers or on-premise systems. The discussion emphasizes the diverse opportunities in the industry. Some providers will focus on offering unlimited bandwidth, while others focus on services like space, power, compute, and storage. Tom reveals the impressive arsenal in his home lab, which includes three cabinets, dedicated air conditioning, a 16 KVA UPS, a Kohler propane generator, a Ubiquiti Dream Machine Pro, and numerous other networking equipment. Matt and Tom discuss the evolution of internet speeds, reminiscing on the transition from 2400 Baud modems to the modern high-speed connections with 1000+ megabits per second. For Tom, space, power, cooling, and connectivity are all required to have a functional data center environment. Every player in that ecosystem will optimize and maximize different dimensions of that four-legged stool.   Mentioned in This Episode: Tom Daly on LinkedIn Bignetwork.com Oxide Computer Company

Full episode launches on February 8