ToDD Has Moved!
ToDD has been out in the wild for 6 months, and in that time I’ve been really pleased with it’s growth and adoption. Considering this was just a personal side-project, I’ve been blown away by what it’s doing for my own learning experiences as well as for the network automation pipelines of the various folks that pop onto the slack channel asking questions. For the last 6 months I’ve hosted ToDD on my personal Github profile.The Importance of the Network Software Supply Chain
At Networking Field Day 12, we heard from a number of vendors that offered solutions to some common enterprise network problems, from management, to security, and more.
However, there were a few presentations that didn’t seem directly applicable to the canonical network admin’s day-to-day. This was made clear by some comments by delegates in the room, as well as others tweeting about the presentation.
Accelerating the x86 Data Plane
Intel, for instance, spent a significant amount of time discussing the Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK), which provides a different way of leveraging CPU resources for fast packet processing.
In their presentation, Intel explained the various ways that they’ve circumvented some of the existing bottlenecks in the Linux kernel, resulting in a big performance increase for applications sending and receiving data on the network. DPDK operates in user space, meaning the traditional overhead associated with copying memory resources between user and kernel space is avoided. In addition, techniques like parallel processing and poll mode drivers (as opposed to the traditional interrupt processing model) means packet processing can be done much more efficiently, resulting in better performance.
This is all great (and as a software nerd, very interesting to me Continue reading
The Importance of the Network Software Supply Chain
At Networking Field Day 12, we heard from a number of vendors that offered solutions to some common enterprise network problems, from management, to security, and more. However, there were a few presentations that didn’t seem directly applicable to the canonical network admin’s day-to-day. This was made clear by some comments by delegates in the room, as well as others tweeting about the presentation. Accelerating the x86 Data Plane Intel, for instance, spent a significant amount of time discussing the Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK), which provides a different way of leveraging CPU resources for fast packet processing.The Importance of the Network Software Supply Chain
At Networking Field Day 12, we heard from a number of vendors that offered solutions to some common enterprise network problems, from management, to security, and more. However, there were a few presentations that didn’t seem directly applicable to the canonical network admin’s day-to-day. This was made clear by some comments by delegates in the room, as well as others tweeting about the presentation. Accelerating the x86 Data Plane Intel, for instance, spent a significant amount of time discussing the Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK), which provides a different way of leveraging CPU resources for fast packet processing.CS101: Algorithms
First in this series is the subject of Algorithms. This topic is very interesting to me because when I first strived to understand what exactly they were, I was expecting something a lot more complicated than what they turned out to be. I think, shamefully, that Hollywood may have had an influence on this, as the term “algorithm” is one of many terms abused by “cyber” movies and the like, portrayed to be some sort of ultimate cyber weapon in the war against Ellingson Mineral Company.
The reality is much simpler. “Algorithm” is defined as “a set of steps that are followed in order to solve a mathematical problem or to complete a computer process”. It really is that simple. Think of a mathematical problem that you’d need to solve yourself (ignoring for the moment that there’s likely a 3rd party library that has already done this).
A common example is the calculation of the Fibonacci sequence. Forget about writing code for a minute, and think about the problem in plain English. Given a starting sequence (1, 1), how do you continue calculating and adding numbers to this sequence, to produce N number of Fibonacci numbers?
- Get the last two Continue reading
New Series: CS 101
Historically, my background is far closer to the systems side of things, but as I’ve picked up software development experience over the past few years, I’ve come to appreciate the fundamentals of computer science that others in my shoes may not have been exposed to. That said, I have been working on a pseudo-formal blog series on computer science fundamentals.
These fundamentals have a wide variety of applications. Those with more of an IT-focused background will learn that even if you don’t use graph theory, or optimize algorithms in your day job, many of these concepts are at the crux of many of the technologies that we use every day. If, like me, you’ve become bored with the endless cycle of IT certifications, learning these concepts could be a great addition to your skill set, as you can leverage these concepts to extrapolate details from some of the “closed” products we use from IT vendors.
Finally, it’s important to remember that the most important part of any of this is how this knowledge is applied. As you read the posts that I’ll release in the next few weeks, remember that understanding how to optimize a piece of code is useful, Continue reading
CS101: Algorithms
First in this series is the subject of Algorithms. This topic is very interesting to me because when I first strived to understand what exactly they were, I was expecting something a lot more complicated than what they turned out to be. I think, shamefully, that Hollywood may have had an influence on this, as the term “algorithm” is one of many terms abused by “cyber” movies and the like, portrayed to be some sort of ultimate cyber weapon in the war against Ellingson Mineral Company.New Series: CS 101
Historically, my background is far closer to the systems side of things, but as I’ve picked up software development experience over the past few years, I’ve come to appreciate the fundamentals of computer science that others in my shoes may not have been exposed to. That said, I have been working on a pseudo-formal blog series on computer science fundamentals. These fundamentals have a wide variety of applications. Those with more of an IT-focused background will learn that even if you don’t use graph theory, or optimize algorithms in your day job, many of these concepts are at the crux of many of the technologies that we use every day.CS101: Algorithms
First in this series is the subject of Algorithms. This topic is very interesting to me because when I first strived to understand what exactly they were, I was expecting something a lot more complicated than what they turned out to be. I think, shamefully, that Hollywood may have had an influence on this, as the term “algorithm” is one of many terms abused by “cyber” movies and the like, portrayed to be some sort of ultimate cyber weapon in the war against Ellingson Mineral Company.New Series: CS 101
Historically, my background is far closer to the systems side of things, but as I’ve picked up software development experience over the past few years, I’ve come to appreciate the fundamentals of computer science that others in my shoes may not have been exposed to. That said, I have been working on a pseudo-formal blog series on computer science fundamentals. These fundamentals have a wide variety of applications. Those with more of an IT-focused background will learn that even if you don’t use graph theory, or optimize algorithms in your day job, many of these concepts are at the crux of many of the technologies that we use every day.Introducing HTTP Testing in ToDD
Now that ToDD has been in the public arena for two months, one of the things I’m happiest about is the fact that testing in ToDD is totally flexible. Thanks to the concept of testlets, ToDD doesn’t have an opinion on the specifics of your tests - all of that logic is contained within the testlet.
I believe there’s real value in going further than simple “ping” tests when validating that your network is working as you expect. Customers aren’t pinging you - they’re using your applications. To that end, I have introduced a new testlet to the ToDD project that makes HTTP calls and reports on application-level metrics.
There are some very real advantages to testing HTTP reachability instead of settling for simple “ping” tests. In addition to verifying network connectivity, HTTP testing also ensures that the web application is also up and able to produce the desired status code. We’re also able to get some insight into performance at the application level.
In my initial presentations on ToDD, I talked about a use case for being able to “keep your SaaS providers honest” by making HTTP requests against the services you use in a distributed manner:
The Continue reading
Introducing HTTP Testing in ToDD
Now that ToDD has been in the public arena for two months, one of the things I’m happiest about is the fact that testing in ToDD is totally flexible. Thanks to the concept of testlets, ToDD doesn’t have an opinion on the specifics of your tests - all of that logic is contained within the testlet.
I believe there’s real value in going further than simple “ping” tests when validating that your network is working as you expect. Customers aren’t pinging you - they’re using your applications. To that end, I have introduced a new testlet to the ToDD project that makes HTTP calls and reports on application-level metrics.
There are some very real advantages to testing HTTP reachability instead of settling for simple “ping” tests. In addition to verifying network connectivity, HTTP testing also ensures that the web application is also up and able to produce the desired status code. We’re also able to get some insight into performance at the application level.
In my initial presentations on ToDD, I talked about a use case for being able to “keep your SaaS providers honest” by making HTTP requests against the services you use in a distributed manner:
Introducing HTTP Testing in ToDD
Now that ToDD has been in the public arena for two months, one of the things I’m happiest about is the fact that testing in ToDD is totally flexible. Thanks to the concept of testlets, ToDD doesn’t have an opinion on the specifics of your tests - all of that logic is contained within the testlet. I believe there’s real value in going further than simple “ping” tests when validating that your network is working as you expect.Introducing HTTP Testing in ToDD
Now that ToDD has been in the public arena for two months, one of the things I’m happiest about is the fact that testing in ToDD is totally flexible. Thanks to the concept of testlets, ToDD doesn’t have an opinion on the specifics of your tests - all of that logic is contained within the testlet. I believe there’s real value in going further than simple “ping” tests when validating that your network is working as you expect.Interop Vegas 2016
I’m happy to be given the opportunity to speak once more at Interop Vegas in 2016. No workshop for me this year, but I will be putting on three individual talks, all focusing on topics that have been very near and dear to me over the past year.
Last year I was very focused on putting the theory behind network automation into practical terms, and making it “real”. Over the past year I’ve seen rapid growth in adoption of these ideas, and I was happy to be just one very small part of helping to make that happen.
Since the last Interop, my career has steered me towards a more direct approach to network automation, specifically through software development. So I’d like to spend some time providing an overview of my sessions at the upcoming Interop Vegas 2016, which are all inspired by the last year of my career.
Test-Driven Network Automation
I am obviously very passionate about network automation, and have been very vocal about my belief that network automation only has a chance if it is done properly, which includes proper testing. I strongly believe that network automation can and should take place within the context of a Continue reading
Interop Vegas 2016
I’m happy to be given the opportunity to speak once more at Interop Vegas in 2016. No workshop for me this year, but I will be putting on three individual talks, all focusing on topics that have been very near and dear to me over the past year. Last year I was very focused on putting the theory behind network automation into practical terms, and making it “real”. Over the past year I’ve seen rapid growth in adoption of these ideas, and I was happy to be just one very small part of helping to make that happen.Interop Vegas 2016
I’m happy to be given the opportunity to speak once more at Interop Vegas in 2016. No workshop for me this year, but I will be putting on three individual talks, all focusing on topics that have been very near and dear to me over the past year. Last year I was very focused on putting the theory behind network automation into practical terms, and making it “real”. Over the past year I’ve seen rapid growth in adoption of these ideas, and I was happy to be just one very small part of helping to make that happen.Next-Generation Network Telemetry
Late last year, I was pleased to be part of a special Tech Field Day event focused on network analytics. We had a day full of presentations from folks like Netflix, Google, and some goofball with a wrinkly jacket - all focused on what the next-generation networks will look like with respect to analytics.
This was a while ago, but I’ve wanted to write about this ever since, and a recent conversation gave me the spark I needed.
Microservices
First, I want to mention that - in no small part due to the Netflix presentation - this was one of the first times I’ve heard microservices brought up in a network tooling context. Sure, microservices are all the rage and we’ve definitely seen a lot of activity regarding how to bring our networks up to the level required by these new application architectures. However, starting with this event, I’ve also started to notice a tremendous value in approaching the network software itself with a microservices architecture, instead of the monolithic network monitoring/management software we use today.
More on that in a future post.
Out With The “Pull”, In With the “Stream”
If you haven’t watched any of the videos from Continue reading