Why Is Network Automation such a Hot Topic?
This blog post was initially sent to subscribers of my SDN and Network Automation mailing list. Subscribe here.
One of my readers asked a very valid question when reading the Why Is Network Automation So Hard blog post:
Why was network automation 'invented' now? I have been working in the system development engineering for 13+ years and we have always used automation because we wanted to save time & effort for repeatable tasks.
He’s absolutely right. We had fully-automated ISP service in early 1990’s, and numerous service providers used network automation for decades.
Read more ...Worth Reading: Software Disenchantment
Found an awesome blog post describing how we’re wasting resources on incomprehensible scale. Here’s a tiny little morsel:
Only in software, it’s fine if a program runs at 1% or even 0.01% of the possible performance. Everybody just seems to be ok with it. People are often even proud about how much inefficient it is, as in “why should we worry, computers are fast enough”.
Hands-on Learning Opportunities at DockerCon EU
The value of attending a conference is measured by how much you can learn and who you will meet. While DockerCon has you covered on both fronts. We know that everyone learns differently so the conference provides three options for you.
Workshops: Starting this year at DockerCon San Francisco, we introduced a track dedicated to workshops where technical experts deliver 2-hour deep dive sessions with hands-on tutorials to deepen your understanding of Docker technology, Kubernetes, Isito and solutions from our ecosystem partners. Included as part of your conference pass, you must pre-register for workshops to save your seat.
Hands on Labs: I instructor-led isn’t your thing, check out the self-paced Hands-On Labs. Also included with our conference pass, Hands-On Labs are available at any time throughout the conference. Drop in between sessions or anytime – grab a seat and launch a tutorial. Docker moderators will be on hand to help answer questions.
Training: In addition, you can add official Docker training courses to your DockerCon schedule at a discounted rate. Come early to Barcelona for a 2 day training course led by Docker authorized instructors and designed specifically for your role in using containers. Each course features a variety Continue reading
Juniper Says Its SD-WAN Plan Includes More Service Provider Customers
The company said it’s using service providers as its SD-WAN sales channel and banking on large managed services deals.
The Ultimate Guide to Networking & Security Sessions & Activities at VMworld Europe
At VMworld 2017, we took the NSX show on the road and demonstrated our expanded capabilities and support for new use cases, locations, and clouds.
But a lot has changed in a year.
Earlier in 2018, we announced the expansion of the NSX family of products to include NSX Data Center (formerly NSX), NSX Cloud, AppDefense, NSX SD-WAN by VeloCloud, and NSX Hybrid Connect. With the new portfolio, we’ve delivered on the Virtual Cloud Network vision of connecting and protecting applications and data, regardless of where they sit – from the data center, to the cloud, and the edge.
To help you learn about this vision, and the products that underpin it, we have a huge VMworld 2018 in store for you. There are over 50 dedicated networking and security sessions covering everything from the basics to super-technical deep dives.
Be sure to attend the showcase sessions:
- The NSX Keynote: Building the Network of the Future with the Virtual Cloud Network
- Transforming Security in a Cloud and Mobile World
As a bonus, you can hear from real customers about their experiences in the Customer Panel on NSX Data Center.
Below is a guide to all things Networking and Security at Continue reading
Open Switch Hardware’s Journey into the Linux and Kernel Community
You have read, heard and seen us talk about the benefits of Linux, open source and community. Here, here, and here… and I am pretty sure everywhere. This blog walks you through our journey of pushing Linux open switch ASICs into the Linux kernel and ecosystem. Before we begin, let me tell you that it has and continues to be a fun ride!
A quick historical recap on Linux networking
The Linux kernel has been doing network hardware offloads and acceleration for decades (Nics, smart-nics, wireless AP’s and many other places). Because of this, the kernel has had the infrastructure and the right abstractions to recognize and register a networking hardware device for decades. And this infrastructure has matured over time.
For hardware vendors, enabling their networking hardware for Linux just made it easier to take their hardware to new customers, objectives and industries. Today Linux enablement is the best way to get faster adoption of your hardware or faster marketing for your hardware. It has become a norm for hardware vendors to get their hardware ready for Linux first: getting their drivers in the upstream kernel and getting hardware tools ready for the Linux ecosystem.
WikiLeaks Publishes the Location of Amazon’s Data Centers
The news comes as major cloud providers including AWS, Microsoft, and IBM are competing for a $10 billion, 10-year cloud contract from the U.S. Department of Defense.
Short Take – The Diminishing Returns of Harder Passwords
In this Network Collective Short Take, Russ White talks about the value of harder passwords and what we should think about when developing password policies for our systems.
Russ White
The post Short Take – The Diminishing Returns of Harder Passwords appeared first on Network Collective.
Weekly Wrap Podcast: Apple, Amazon Deny They Were Victims of China Security Hack
SDxCentral Weekly Wrap for October 12, 2018. Apple and Amazon deny they were the victims of an elaborate spying plan by the Chinese government.
Verizon Changes Its Tune on Severance Package for IT Team Members
The company will now give IT workers that are transferring to Infosys the option of receiving an exit package if they decline to move to the outsourcing firm.
Volta Charging Deploys Netsurion SD-WAN Across Its Electric Car Station Network
Netsurion, a newcomer to the SD-WAN market, has found its niche in the market as it builds its SD-WAN as integrated secure connectivity service.
Cisco CCNA Cyber Ops Certification – Achieve or Avoid?
If you’re working in a Security Operations Center, or aim to work in one, the CCNA Cyber Ops should be high on your list of qualifications to achieve. Few certifications cover this area.
TidalScale Raises $24M for Software-Defined Servers
The startup developed a type of composable infrastructure that focuses specifically on computing resources.
SDxCentral’s Weekly Roundup — October 12, 2018
CenturyLink becomes an expert Microsoft Azure MSP; Huawei debuts a series of AI chips; Google releases its alert center for security threats.
We need to talk… about the state of internet governance
In about a month, some of the key stakeholders in internet governance will come together in Paris and talk about the public policy challenges facing the internet in 2018 and beyond. They will do so at the Internet Governance Forum, a UN-supported platform that will meet for the thirteenth time this year.
The IGF traditionally brings different groups of stakeholders into a large conference centre, and provides for the opportunity for these different stakeholders to discuss: the idea being that understanding, consensus and collaboration will emerge between these different communities.
Join us for a pre-IGF stakeholder networking event on Tuesday, 16 October in Brussels. Learn more and register!
Multistakeholderism: a vivid term with many meanings
The IGF model of multistakeholderism is one of a plethora of different approaches to engaging with actors beyond states in questions of global governance. Some rely more on governments, other processes rely on technical expertise, others have come and gone. Others, like the Internet Society, tend to refer to multistakeholder approaches, rather than one model.
Many observers tend to think this concept was invented by the internet community, but shaping (global) policy through direct engagement with stakeholders has been an integral Continue reading
Indigenous Connectivity Summit 2018: Training Day
True to its location in Festival City – also known as Edmonton, Alberta – the 2018 Indigenous Connectivity Summit’s training day crackled with the energy of community networking advocates from around the world.
Held at the Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta, the event began with a smudging ceremony led by Dr. Lana Whiskeyjack from Saddle Lake Cree Nation. Lana spoke about the role of smudging to ground ourselves through ceremony. Herman Many Guns from Piikani First Nation then said a prayer and thanked our Treaty 6 hosts for allowing us to host the event on their territories.
Returning to the main venue, Jane Coffin from the Internet Society stressed that community networks are not “pirate” initiatives but rather efforts by communities to support community development through locally-owned and operated broadband. They aim at long-term sustainability and are driven by cooperation and innovation: “They inspire us to think differently and to solve problems together.” Jane also pointed to the barriers these initiatives face, including inappropriate licensing and permits, high taxes and fees on equipment, limited access to financing and funding, and restricted spectrum. Governments and regulatory agencies play an important part in addressing these issues.
Next, I Continue reading