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TNO009: From Network Monitoring to Observability: Make the Leap for Better NetOps
Traditional network monitoring was built around SNMP and logs. And while there’s still a role for these sources, network observability aims to incorporate more data to help you build a holistic picture of the network and its behavior and performance. These sources can include flows, streaming telemetry, APIs, NETCONF, the CLI, deep packet inspection, synthetic... Read more »TL008: How to Hire Top Performers
Hiring is never an easy process. On today’s show, guest Brian Hogan and host Laura Santamaria explore the intricacies of hiring top performers in the tech industry. Brian talks about how to set up a fair and structured interview process, including the use of rubrics to evaluate candidates consistently. He discusses the challenges of assessing... Read more »N4N004: Essential Topics in Networking: Ethernet, NAT, and More
What are the most essential topics to understand for a new networkers? Ethan Banks and Holly Metlitzky address a listener’s question about foundational topics, covering what a network is, the differences between packet-switched and circuit-switched networks, and the nature of the internet as a “network of networks.” They discuss the importance of Internet Protocol (IP),... Read more »NAN079: From Network Monitoring to Observability: Make the Leap for Better NetOps
Traditional network monitoring was built around SNMP and logs. And while there’s still a role for these sources, network observability aims to incorporate more data to help you build a holistic picture of the network and its behavior and performance. These sources can include flows, streaming telemetry, APIs, NETCONF, the CLI, deep packet inspection, synthetic... Read more »HS089: Return to the Office: What’s Next?
Some high-profile companies like Amazon are mandating all employees return to the office, full time. Justifications, when given, mostly revolve around productivity and innovation. We say, whoa there! The data don’t back up the idea that hybrid and remote work hurt productivity (kind of the opposite) or innovation, and the real justifications likely lie elsewhere.... Read more »
PP040: Personal Privacy Tools
Surveillance is a fact of life with modern technology, be it corporate data harvesting or government snooping. If you’re thinking about personal privacy, today’s episode covers common tools for communication and Web browsing. We dig into the end-to-end encryption capabilities of the messaging tools Signal and WhatsApp, look at the capabilities and limits of the... Read more »TNO008: Demystifying AI: Essential Concepts for Network Operators
AI can support network operations, but it can also be complex, mysterious, and steeped in vendor hype. On today’s episode, guest Phil Gervasi clarifies some of the terminology and concepts of AI, including distinctions among concepts like generative AI, general AI, and large language models (LLMs). Phil shares tips for getting beyond the hype to... Read more »N4N003: What’s a VLAN?
Today we explore Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs). This topic was prompted by a question from college student Douglas. We’ll explain the fundamental concepts of VLANs, such as their role in segmenting and managing network traffic, and the technical details for implementation. We’ll also address key topics including VLAN tags, access and trunk ports, and... Read more »PP039: Securing Active Directory from a Pen Tester’s Perspective
Microsoft’s Active Directory and Entra ID are valuable targets for attackers because they store critical identity information. On today’s Packet Protector, we talk with penetration tester and security consultant Eric Kuehn about how he approaches compromising AD/Entra ID, common problems he sees during client engagements, quick wins for administrators and security pros to fortify their... Read more »HW040: Unpacking Wi-Fi 7’s Multi-Link Operation (MLO)
Multi-Link Operation (MLO) is a major feature of Wi-Fi 7. At a high level, MLO allows a client and an AP to communicate using multiple radios and frequencies simultaneously. The result is an increase in throughput and resiliency. Today’s Heavy Wireless podcast dives into MLO with guest Jim Palmer, who presented on the topic at... Read more »TL007: Hot Takes on Technical Leadership
Everyone has their own hot take or bit of wisdom to share regarding technical leadership. Today, host Laura Santamaria weaves these insights on communication, collaboration, decision making and more from her guests on the first six episodes of Technically Leadership. Listen, reflect and then apply to your own leadership role. Episode Links: Laura Santamaria Packet... Read more »N4N002: Bandwidth and Latency Explained
In this episode of N Is For Networking, co-hosts Ethan Banks and Holly Metlitzky take a question from college student Douglas that turns into a ride on the networking highway as they navigate the lanes of bandwidth and latency. Ethan and Holly define the concepts of bandwidth and latency and discuss current data transfer protocols... Read more »NAN078: The Evolution of Ostinato: From Open Source to a Sustainable Business
Ostinato is a network traffic generator aimed at network engineers who need test traffic, whether in a lab or production, to do things such as test circuit bandwidth, determine if SD-WAN or load balancing rules are working as intended, investigate packet drops, and more. Originally released as an open-source project, Ostinato is now offered as... Read more »PP038: A Peek Inside the Security Mind
Security professionals often have an impulse to want to move on to the next new thing. While that can be helpful in a field that thrives on change, it can also make it hard to focus on routine tasks and mundane (yet essential) security controls and practices. Whether this impulse is due to varying degrees... Read more »HS088: Combating Analysis Paralysis
Analysis paralysis is a huge problem in IT – we “study” and “evaluate” and “keep on our radar” but then all too often have a choice and a need to act thrust upon us, and need to switch modes fast. How do we try to get more mileage out of the studying to get leverage... Read more »
TNO007: Good Foundations Are Key To Leveraging AI for Network Operations
In this episode of Total Network Operations the conversation focuses on the impact and implementation of AI on network operations. Host Scott Robohn is joined by guest Michael Wynston to discuss the foundational requirements for AI implementation, such as well-documented processes, version control, and lab testing. Michael also talks about the need for lifelong learning... Read more »N4N001: Frames and Packets: What’s the Difference?
Frames and packets: how are they different and why is it important to know those differences? On this first episode of N Is For Networking, join co-hosts Holly Metlitzky and Ethan Banks to learn the fundamentals about frames and packets, plus some bonus material on layers and addresses. N Is For Networking is the newest... Read more »HW039: Demystifying Private Mobile Networks
What is a private mobile network and how does it work? Guest Jeremy Rollinson, an expert in private cellular networks, joins host Keith Parsons to clarify misconceptions about private mobile networks, from terminology to spectrum allocations. They explore the differences between public and private networks, the evolution of private mobile networks, the importance of understanding... Read more »HS087: Alkira’s Multi-Cloud NaaS Bridges Networking and Security (Sponsored)
Startup Alkira has built a Network as a Service (NaaS) offering that extends from on prem to public cloud and multi-cloud. Today’s sponsored episode of Heavy Strategy digs in to Alkira’s capabilities in multi-cloud networking, security, automation, and cost transparency. Guest Manan Shah, SVP of Product at Alkira, explains how Alkira simplifies network management, enhances... Read more »