Cables2Clouds

Nico Vibert, Senior Staff Technical Marketing Engineer at Isovalent/Cisco, dives into the complexities of cloud networking. He discusses how vendors are often misclassified under the cloud networking label, revealing the historical origins of this term. The conversation highlights the necessity of API-driven solutions and how technologies like Kubernetes and CDNs fit into the cloud networking debate. Nico stresses the role of AI in evolving these infrastructures while addressing the need for security and reliable decision-making in the rapidly changing landscape.

Send us a textWhen tech giants make moves, the entire industry feels the tremors. Google's staggering $32 billion acquisition of cloud security company Wiz signals just how valuable security platforms have become in today's digital landscape—especially those with visibility across multiple cloud providers. With a $3.2 billion breakup fee attached, Google clearly believes regulators will ultimately approve the deal despite potential competitive concerns about accessing data from rival cloud platforms.Meanwhile, Cisco and NVIDIA are combining forces to create the "Cisco Secure AI Factory," a turnkey solution aimed at enterprises looking to deploy AI infrastructure without the complexity of building from scratch. This strategic partnership packages Cisco's networking equipment with NVIDIA's powerful AI chipsets, offering organizations a direct path to AI implementation. The question remains whether enterprises will adopt these solutions while still waiting for clear ROI from AI investments.The cloud landscape continues to evolve in unexpected ways, with HPE announcing workforce reductions despite strong revenue growth, all while battling regulatory challenges to its Juniper Networks acquisition. And as smaller cloud providers like NetEase shutter their services, organizations are reminded of the importance of multi-cloud strategies that distribute risk and enhance resilience. These developments underscore a crucial reality: in today's technology ecosystem, consolidation presents both opportunities and significant challenges for businesses relying on digital infrastructure. Are you prepared for the shifting terrain of cloud computing? Subscribe now to stay ahead of the changes reshaping our digital world.Purchase Chris and Tim's new book on AWS Cloud Networking: https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Advanced-Networking-Certification-certification/dp/1835080839/ Check out the Fortnightly Cloud Networking Newshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1fkBWCGwXDUX9OfZ9_MvSVup8tJJzJeqrauaE6VPT2b0/Visit our website and subscribe: https://www.cables2clouds.com/Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cables2clouds.comFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cables2clouds/Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cables2cloudsMerch Store: https://store.cables2clouds.com/Join the Discord Study group: https://artofneteng.com/iaatj

Send us a textThe story of cloud networking rarely gets told from the perspective of those building it inside unicorn startups, but that's exactly what this episode delivers. Richard Olson, cloud networking expert at Canva, takes us behind the scenes of building network infrastructure for one of the world's fastest-growing SaaS platforms.Richard's fascinating career journey began with literally throwing rocks with phone lines into trees during his military service, progressing through network operations centers and pre-sales engineering before landing at AWS and eventually Canva. His unique perspective bridges traditional networking expertise with cloud-native development approaches.Unlike enterprises migrating from legacy environments, Canva started entirely in the cloud with minimal networking considerations. Richard explains how this trajectory created different challenges - starting with overlapping 10.0.0.0/16 addresses across development environments and evolving to hundreds of VPCs requiring sophisticated connectivity solutions. By mid-2022, these networking challenges had grown complex enough to warrant forming a dedicated cloud networking team, which Richard helped establish.The conversation takes a deep technical turn exploring Kubernetes networking challenges that even experienced network engineers might not anticipate. Richard explains why "Kubernetes eats IP addresses for breakfast" in cloud environments, detailing the complex interaction between VPC CIDR allocations, prefix delegations, and worker node configurations that can quickly exhaust even large IP spaces. This pressure is finally creating compelling business cases for IPv6 adoption after decades of slow uptake.Whether you're managing cloud infrastructure today or planning your organization's network strategy for tomorrow, this episode offers invaluable insights into the evolution and challenges of cloud networking at unicorn scale. Listen now to understand why companies are increasingly forming dedicated cloud networking teams and the unique skill sets they require.Connect with Richard:https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-olson-auPurchase Chris and Tim's new book on AWS Cloud Networking: https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Advanced-Networking-Certification-certification/dp/1835080839/ Check out the Fortnightly Cloud Networking Newshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1fkBWCGwXDUX9OfZ9_MvSVup8tJJzJeqrauaE6VPT2b0/Visit our website and subscribe: https://www.cables2clouds.com/Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cables2clouds.comFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cables2clouds/Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cables2cloudsMerch Store: https://store.cables2clouds.com/Join the Discord Study group: https://artofneteng.com/iaatj

Send us a textCloud security threats continue to evolve at an alarming pace, with state-sponsored actors developing increasingly sophisticated attack strategies. We dive into the emergence of China's Silk Typhoon group, which represents the concerning evolution of previous Salt Typhoon attacks. While initially targeting service provider infrastructure, these attackers are now leveraging stolen credentials to compromise enterprise cloud accounts through password spraying and API key theft. This progression demonstrates why encryption through provider networks is essential and why organizations must remain vigilant even when threats initially appear to target only their service providers.Europe is making bold moves toward cloud standardization with the Sovereign European Cloud API (SECA) initiative. This collaborative effort between European cloud providers aims to create true interoperability across cloud platforms, potentially ending vendor lock-in for organizations operating in the EU. Drawing parallels to the USB-C standardization for mobile devices, this regulatory approach could force major cloud service providers to adapt their proprietary interfaces to maintain access to the European market. While technical challenges remain significant given the diverse service offerings across providers, the economic importance of Europe means this initiative deserves close attention as it could fundamentally change how organizations interact with cloud infrastructure globally.The Kubernetes security landscape is evolving beyond traditional cluster protection with Aviatrix's launch of its Kubernetes Cloud Firewall. Rather than competing in the crowded space of intra-cluster security, this solution addresses the often-overlooked challenge of securing egress traffic and integrations between Kubernetes workloads and legacy systems. By reading the Kubernetes API to build security policies based on native attributes like pods and namespaces, the firewall helps organizations manage the reality that few environments are purely containerized. Looking to enhance your cloud security posture across hybrid environments? Subscribe to our podcast for more insights and visit https://www.cables2clouds.com for comprehensive show notes and resources.Check out our book!https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Advanced-Networking-Certification-certification/dp/1835080839/Purchase Chris and Tim's new book on AWS Cloud Networking: https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Advanced-Networking-Certification-certification/dp/1835080839/ Check out the Fortnightly Cloud Networking Newshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1fkBWCGwXDUX9OfZ9_MvSVup8tJJzJeqrauaE6VPT2b0/Visit our website and subscribe: https://www.cables2clouds.com/Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cables2clouds.comFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cables2clouds/Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cables2cloudsMerch Store: https://store.cables2clouds.com/Join the Discord Study group: https://artofneteng.com/iaatj

Send us a textGet ready for a deep dive into the future of network engineering as we explore the interplay between automation, AI, and engineering roles. In this episode of the Cables to Cloud podcast, we're joined by Du'An Lightfoot, a seasoned expert and developer advocate at AWS. Du'An shares his journey in the tech industry, from network engineering to embracing the power of AI. As he recounts his recent experience at the Autocon conference, listen as we discuss the evolving nature of network automation and how it impacts engineering jobs.This episode aims to debunk myths about AI replacing engineers, emphasizing instead how automation can enhance productivity, allowing specialists to focus on complex tasks. Discover practical insights into utilizing AI in networking workflows, and learn about the importance of mastering APIs and Python for effective automation. Du'An's layered approach to integrating AI into networking processes provides listeners with actionable strategies to enhance their capabilities.We'll also discuss the emergence of smaller AI models and how they can serve specific roles in networking while exploring what the future holds for AI technologies in this field. Join us for an informative and inspiring discussion. If you're ready to navigate the changing landscape of network engineering, hit that subscribe button, share this episode with your peers, and leave us a review!Du'An's Network Whisperer Presentation & Code:https://d1wm3hz7ppam5u.cloudfront.net/Connect with Du'An:https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanlightfoot/Purchase Chris and Tim's new book on AWS Cloud Networking: https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Advanced-Networking-Certification-certification/dp/1835080839/ Check out the Fortnightly Cloud Networking Newshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1fkBWCGwXDUX9OfZ9_MvSVup8tJJzJeqrauaE6VPT2b0/Visit our website and subscribe: https://www.cables2clouds.com/Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cables2clouds.comFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cables2clouds/Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cables2cloudsMerch Store: https://store.cables2clouds.com/Join the Discord Study group: https://artofneteng.com/iaatj

Send us a textIn a world that continues to evolve at breakneck speed, staying ahead in cloud networking and technology is imperative. This episode jumps into a whirlwind of recent developments that could reshape the landscape of IT. We begin with CompTIA's unveiling of the new CloudNetX certification, designed specifically for IT professionals focusing on cloud architecture and security, positioning itself as pivotal in validating advanced networking skills.We also explore the launch of Aviatrix’s Certified Engineer Program, which emphasizes the importance of hybrid cloud connectivity. This program provides valuable insights into connecting on-premise systems with cloud solutions, highlighting the increasing demand for seamless integration across platforms. Staying relevant in this era involves continuously updating our knowledge and capabilities; these certifications are significant steps toward that goal.As we examine the multi-cloud networking market, Cloudflare’s Magic Cloud Networking is aimed at providing orchestration services—an essential need as companies increasingly rely on different cloud service providers. However, with changing dynamics comes the question of visibility and control over networks, a key concern that professionals must address.In a fascinating twist, Microsoft has introduced a new quantum chip, Majorana, that promises to revolutionize how we think about computing. This opens a discussion on encryption security and the implications for current technologies as quantum computing advances. Finally, we confront a concerning report detailing an 82% increase in DDoS attacks, a stark reminder of the evolving security landscape aided by emerging technologies like AI. As we delve into these important topics, the call to action for IT professionals remains clear: be proactive, stay informed, and prepare for a future where technology will continually challenge our assumptions. Subscribe, share, and join us in these discussions as we navigate the exciting, yet complex, world of cloud networking.Purchase Chris and Tim's new book on AWS Cloud Networking: https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Advanced-Networking-Certification-certification/dp/1835080839/ Check out the Fortnightly Cloud Networking Newshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1fkBWCGwXDUX9OfZ9_MvSVup8tJJzJeqrauaE6VPT2b0/Visit our website and subscribe: https://www.cables2clouds.com/Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cables2clouds.comFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cables2clouds/Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cables2cloudsMerch Store: https://store.cables2clouds.com/Join the Discord Study group: https://artofneteng.com/iaatj

Send us a textSam Zamanian, a principal advisory director at Infotech Research Group with over 20 years of IT and architecture expertise, joins us to dissect the critical decisions surrounding AI infrastructure selection. This episode promises to equip you with the insights needed to navigate the complexities of AI workloads, from data preparation to model training and deployment. With Sam's guidance, you'll uncover the intricacies of optimizing each stage, leveraging high-performance computing and AI accelerators to tailor cloud solutions for any AI challenge.Choosing between cloud and on-premises infrastructure is a nuanced decision influenced by various factors. We explore the flexibility and potential trade-offs involved, weighing the cloud's convenience against the control offered by on-premises solutions. Whether it's the ease of rapid deployment or the need for customization and predictability, our discussion provides a roadmap for selecting the best infrastructure setup based on specific use cases, performance, cost, and security considerations.The evolving AI hardware landscape brings both challenges and opportunities, as discussed in our final segment. With supply bottlenecks and market dynamics shifting, new collaborations like AMD and Microsoft's partnership are making waves. We delve into optimization strategies to enhance efficiency, highlighting tools like the DeepSeek model for cost reduction in training large AI models. As the AI industry rapidly evolves, we capture the excitement of future developments and the potential for broader hardware adoption, setting the stage for the next era of technological advancement.How to connect with Sam:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-z-77028a59/Purchase Chris and Tim's new book on AWS Cloud Networking: https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Advanced-Networking-Certification-certification/dp/1835080839/ Check out the Fortnightly Cloud Networking Newshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1fkBWCGwXDUX9OfZ9_MvSVup8tJJzJeqrauaE6VPT2b0/Visit our website and subscribe: https://www.cables2clouds.com/Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cables2clouds.comFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cables2clouds/Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cables2cloudsMerch Store: https://store.cables2clouds.com/Join the Discord Study group: https://artofneteng.com/iaatj

Send us a textThis episode dives deep into the ramifications of the DOJ's move to halt the HPE-Juniper merger, questioning whether this action genuinely promotes competition or stifles innovation. We also explore staggering investments in AI from top tech companies and what these might mean for future growth and competition. • Discussion on the DOJ's lawsuit against the HPE-Juniper merger • Examination of potential market impacts of the merger • Insights into AWS's and Google's significant AI investments • Analysis of market expectations regarding AWS's recent revenue growth • Concerns surrounding SolarWinds and private equity acquisitions • Calls to action for listeners to engage with their thoughts on these topicsPurchase Chris and Tim's new book on AWS Cloud Networking: https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Advanced-Networking-Certification-certification/dp/1835080839/ Check out the Fortnightly Cloud Networking Newshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1fkBWCGwXDUX9OfZ9_MvSVup8tJJzJeqrauaE6VPT2b0/Visit our website and subscribe: https://www.cables2clouds.com/Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cables2clouds.comFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cables2clouds/Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cables2cloudsMerch Store: https://store.cables2clouds.com/Join the Discord Study group: https://artofneteng.com/iaatj

John Capobianco, an expert in AI agents, dives into how these transformative technologies are reshaping the tech landscape. He discusses the evolution of AI agents, from simple models to complex systems, and highlights their practical applications across industries. John emphasizes the importance of collaboration among multiple specialized agents and the ethical considerations that arise as AI becomes more integrated into the workforce. Listeners are encouraged to experiment and engage with AI development, balancing automation with essential human oversight.

Send us a textWhat if Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could be the job creator of the century? Buckle up for a hilarious yet thought-provoking exploration of this bold idea as we dissect the potential economic impact of AGI development alongside Chris, who aspires to up his Blue Sky game inspired by his brother Tim. We dive into compelling articles like the one from CRN, spotlighting Palo Alto Networks' maneuver to streamline their product offerings into a singular platform akin to the Apple ecosystem. This opens up the age-old debate about vendor lock-in, and we can't help but chuckle at the similarities with Cisco's approach. We'll also navigate through the labyrinth of product names, specifically Palo Alto's Prisma, and the challenges of achieving true platform integration.Cloud security is a jungle of acronyms and complexity, but fear not—we've got our machetes ready! Join us as we untangle the web of CSPM, CNAP, CIEM, and CASB, piecing together the puzzle of multi-cloud environments highlighted by a Fortinet report. While we question some of the report's methodologies, it undeniably underscores a trend towards centralized security dashboards. With businesses of all sizes grappling with diverse cloud security challenges, we set the stage for an upcoming segment about our own company's stance in this arena. Expect a mix of skepticism, humor, and serious conversation as we navigate this intricate landscape.Finally, we journey into the realm of AGI and job creation, challenging the narrative of inevitable AI-driven job losses. We speculate on the logistics behind such job creation, pondering the international AI race, and throwing in some humor about genetically modified apples for good measure. We wrap up with some playful banter about Tim's personal details and offer heartfelt thanks to our listeners. We hope you subscribe, follow us on social media, and visit our website for the full scoop. Our discussion is as juicy as a genetically modified apple, and you won't want to miss a bite!Wake up babe, a new apple just dropped:https://www.kissabel.com/Purchase Chris and Tim's new book on AWS Cloud Networking: https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Advanced-Networking-Certification-certification/dp/1835080839/ Check out the Fortnightly Cloud Networking Newshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1fkBWCGwXDUX9OfZ9_MvSVup8tJJzJeqrauaE6VPT2b0/Visit our website and subscribe: https://www.cables2clouds.com/Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cables2clouds.comFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cables2clouds/Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cables2cloudsMerch Store: https://store.cables2clouds.com/Join the Discord Study group: https://artofneteng.com/iaatj