Packet Pushers
Author Archives: Packet Pushers
- Home → Author's archive:
Packet Pushers
NAN071: Understanding the Infrastructure Requirements for AI Workloads (Sponsored)
On today’s Network Automation Nerds, we get into the infrastructure required to support AI workloads. We discuss key considerations including bandwidth, the substantial power and cooling requirements of AI infrastructure, and GPUs. We also talk about InfiniBand and Ethernet as network fabrics for AI workloads, cabling considerations, and more. This is a sponsored episode. Our... Read more »HW034: Fixing Your Indoor Cellular Coverage
In this episode of the Heavy Wireless podcast, we talk with Howard Buzick from American Bandwidth about the evolution and current state of wireless connections, particularly in guest network environments. We explore advancements in Wi-Fi technologies, the workings of Passpoint (formerly Hotspot 2.0), and the differences between Passpoint and Open Roaming. Howard explains how American... Read more »PP027: How Wi-Fi Positioning Systems Enable Mass Surveillance
Smartphones use Wi-Fi based Positioning Systems (WPSes) to collect data about nearby Wi-Fi access points and other wireless devices to help determine the phones’ geographic location. Researchers at the University of Maryland show how WPSes from Apple and Google can be used for mass surveillance of access points and, potentially, owners and users of those... Read more »NAN070: FakeNOS – An Open Source NOS for Network Testing
Today we spotlight an open-source project called FakeNOS. Whether you’re a network engineer looking to experiment in a controlled environment, or a DevOps engineer wanting to run a network testbed for your processes, you can use FakeNOS for your projects. My guests are FakeNOS creator Denis Mulyalin and the maintainer of this project, Enric Pitarch.... Read more »HS080: Top Mistakes In Developing and Executing Technology Strategies
To borrow a phrase first used in a military context, no tech strategy survives its first contact with real users. Today’s Heavy Strategy explores common mistakes executives make when developing and executing a technology plan. They include poor communication, making assumptions, not understanding a system’s architecture or dependencies, and more. Co-hosts Johna and Jerry draw... Read more »
PP026: Security Considerations for Working from Anywhere
Remote work is now a norm. And whether it’s a day or two at home every week, or relocating overseas so you can log in to the office from an Italian piazza or a beach in Thailand, there are lots of opportunities to do our jobs outside traditional workplaces. On today’s Packet Protector, we look... Read more »TNO000: Announcing Total Network Operations – a New Podcast for Network Operators
Welcome to Total Network Operations, the podcast dedicated to the hardworking network operators who keep the bitpipes running smoothly. We focus on sharing best practices, the operations tool stack, and engage with vendors and solution providers to get insights into new technologies and tools so you can make informed decisions for your ops environment. Podcast... Read more »HW033: Repeater, Extender or Something Else? What Is the LATYS Focus?
Today on Heavy Wireless we discuss the LATYS Focus device.This innovative RF technology amplifies and directs signals without traditional networking layers. Our guest is Artmiz Golkaramnay, Founder of LATYS. Artmiz explains the device’s functionality, which includes a directional antenna for focused signal amplification; its technical specifications; practical applications in industrial settings; cost benefits; and ease... Read more »PP025: Wi-Fi Security Part 2 – Listener Q&A
On today’s Packet Protector we answer listener questions about Wi-Fi security with guest Stephen Orr. Stephen is Chair of the Security Technical Task Group for the Wi-Fi Alliance and a Distinguished Solutions Engineer at Cisco. Questions include what recommendations Stephen would make for using multiple SSIDs vs. role-based device segmentation, what he sees as the... Read more »NAN069: Lessons On the Journey From NOC to Aerospace Networking
Today, Lexie Cooper shares her journey from a NOC environment to networking engineering in the aerospace industry. Along the way, the discussion makes stops at the importance of medium skills, and the role of humor and relatability in attracting and educating younger professionals in networking. Finally, Lexie relates her challenges when working on the New... Read more »PP024: Considering Resiliency in a Time of Global Outages
In the wake of one of the largest global IT outages, resiliency is the theme of today’s show. We dig into the CrowdStrike debacle as well as an Azure outage that kinda flew under the radar. We also look at the Resiliency Planning Framework Playbook from CISA and other frameworks for building resilient infrastructure. We... Read more »HS079: Big Rock, Best-in-Breed, or Ecosystem: What’s the Best Vendor Procurement Strategy?
When choosing vendors, what strategy should you employ: big rock, best-in-breed, or ecosystem? The big rock approach consolidates vendor relationships around a few strategic partners. Best-in-breed focuses on selecting top solutions from various vendors. The ecosystem model combines elements of both. Today’s conversation explores all three models and also highlights the importance of integration, the... Read more »
HW032: What’s New With RUCKUS MDUs – From Wi-Fi 7 to AI (Sponsored)
Providing Wi-Fi in multi-dwelling units (MDUs) such as apartments or dormitories is complicated. These environments require dense AP deployments, have to provide secure access to lots of users, must support myriad device types, and must offer good performance. Our guests are Kyle Leissner, founder of Wire Star; and Bart Giordano, president of the RUCKUS at... Read more »TL001: The Line Between Management and IC Leadership
This first episode of Technically Leadership explores distinctions and commonalities between the management track and the staff engineer track with guests Nick Silkey and Martin Smith. Our guests share their stories from both perspectives and offer advice for those considering similar paths in technical leadership. Episode Guests: Nick Silkey and Martin Smith Nick Silkey, Senior... Read more »PP023: Wi-Fi Security Part 1 – Unpacking Vulnerabilities and Exploits
From an SSID confusion exploit to a RADIUS attack to a critical vulnerability in a Windows Wi-Fi driver, the past several months have seen multiple attacks and exploits targeting the wireless realm. On today’s Packet Protector podcast we talk with Wi-Fi security expert Stephen Orr to get his take on the severity of these issues,... Read more »HS078: Is It Time To Dump Microsoft?
Should enterprises ditch Microsoft because of security concerns? Microsoft’s numerous vulnerabilities and questionable responses make it a significant risk for continued use. At the same time, Microsoft’s strong integration and utility in enterprise environments make it attractive for continued use. Johna Till Johnson and John Burke debate. They also weigh considerations including the challenges of... Read more »