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The current hype about building massive generative AI models with massive hardware investment is just one aspect of AI. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast features Frederic Van Haren, Karen Lopez, Marian Newsome, and host Stephen Foskett taking a different perspective on the larger world of AI. Our last episode suggested that AI as it is currently being hyped is a fad, but the bigger world of AI is absolutely real. Large language models are maturing rapidly and even generative AI is getting better by the month, but we are rapidly seeing the reality of the use cases for this technology. All neural networks use patterns in historical data to infer results, so any AI engine could hallucinate. But traditional AI is much less susceptible to errors than the much-hyped generative AI models that are capturing the headlines today. AI is a tool that augments our knowledge and decision making, but it doesn’t replace human intelligence. There is a whole world of AI applications that are productive, responsible, and practical, and these are most certainly not a fad.

AI Field Day 5 is our next AI event happening September 11 through September 13. Check out the event page on the Tech Field Day website for more details.

Look Beyond the Hype: AI is Real!The current hype surrounding massive generative AI models and the substantial hardware investments they require is just one facet of the broader AI landscape. While the media often focuses on these large language models and the billions of dollars spent on supercomputers to support them, AI encompasses much more than this. The reality is that AI is not a fad – it is a multifaceted tool that is rapidly evolving and finding practical applications across various industries.

AI can be divided into two main phases: training and inference. The training phase involves using extensive datasets and significant computational power, often requiring numerous GPUs, to build models. This phase is typically handled by a few large organizations with the resources to manage such complexity. On the other hand, the inference phase, where these models are applied in real-world scenarios, is less resource-intensive and more accessible to consumers and enterprises. This division highlights that while the development of AI models may be complex and resource-heavy, their application can be straightforward and widely beneficial.

The demand for AI is driven by consumers and enterprises seeking to simplify and enhance their operations. This demand ensures that AI is not a passing trend but a technology with staying power. However, the term “AI” is often used as a catch-all phrase, leading to confusion about its true capabilities and applications. For instance, generative AI, which includes models like ChatGPT, is just one type of AI. These models can produce impressive and convincing outputs but are also prone to errors and “hallucinations”—generating incorrect or nonsensical information based on the data they were trained on.

Traditional AI, which has been in use for years in various industries, is generally more reliable and less prone to such errors. Applications of traditional AI include anomaly detection in manufacturing, video analysis in retail, and security. These use cases demonstrate AI’s practical and responsible applications, which are far from being a fad. For example, AI is used in agriculture to monitor crop health and improve yields, a task that does not require the massive computational resources associated with generative AI.

The perception of AI as a fad is partly due to the overhyped and sometimes half-baked applications of generative AI that capture public attention. These applications often promise more than they can deliver, leading to skepticism. However, the underlying technology of AI is robust and continues to mature, offering valuable solutions in various fields. The speed of innovation in AI is accelerating, and while this can lead to unrealistic expectations, it also means that practical applications are continually emerging.

AI is a tool that augments human knowledge and decision-making rather than replacing it. This distinction is crucial for understanding AI’s role in our lives. For instance, AI can assist in generating documentation, analyzing code, or improving search capabilities within an organization. These applications enhance productivity and efficiency without replacing the need for human oversight and expertise.

The trust factor in AI is also significant. As AI becomes more integrated into everyday technologies, it is essential to market and implement it responsibly. This includes ensuring that AI systems are transparent, reliable, and used ethically. For example, non-generative AI systems, which do not generate new content but analyze existing data, are generally more trustworthy and less prone to errors.

AI is not a fad; it is a powerful tool with a wide range of applications that are already making a significant impact. While the hype around generative AI may lead to some disillusionment, the broader field of AI continues to offer practical, responsible, and valuable solutions. As AI technology evolves, it will become even more integrated into various aspects of our lives, enhancing our capabilities and helping us solve complex problems. The key is to approach AI with a clear understanding of its strengths and limitations, ensuring that it is used to augment human intelligence and decision-making responsibly.

Podcast InformationStephen Foskett is the Organizer of the Tech Field Day Event Series, now part of The Futurum Group. Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

Frederic Van Haren is the CTO and Founder at HighFens Inc., Consultancy & Services. Connect with Frederic on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and check out the HighFens website.

Karen Lopez is a Senior Project Manager and Architect at InfoAdvisors. You can connect with Karen on X/Twitter or on LinkedIn.

Marian Newsome is the CEO and Founder of Ethical Tech Matters and a cohost of the Tech Aunties Podcast. You can connect with Marian on LinkedIn. Listen to the Tech Aunties Podcast.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode and do give us a rating and a review. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group.

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Although AI is certain to transform society, not to mention computing, what we know of it is likely to change and last much longer. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast brings together Glenn Dekhayser, Alastair Cooke, Allyson Klein, and Stephen Foskett to discuss the real and changing world of AI. Looking at AI infrastructure today, we see massive clusters of GPUs being deployed in the cloud and on-premises to train ever-larger language models, but how much business value do these clusters have long-term? It seems that the true transformation promised by LLM and GenAI will be realized once models are applied across industries with RAG or tuning rather than developing new models. Ultimately AI is a feature of a larger business process or application rather than being a product in itself. We can certainly see that AI-based applications will be transformative, but the vast investment required to build out AI infrastructure to date might never be recouped. Ultimately there is a future for AI, but not the way we have been doing it to date.

AI Field Day 5 is our next AI event happening September 11 through September 13. Check out the event page on the Tech Field Day website for more details.

We’re Talking About the Wrong Things When It Comes to AIThe current landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) is undergoing rapid transformation, and what we know of it today may soon be considered outdated. The conversation around AI has shifted significantly, especially with the rise of generative AI, which has captured the public’s imagination and driven massive investments in AI infrastructure. However, the sustainability and long-term business value of these investments are increasingly being questioned.

Initially, the excitement around AI was centered on its integration into various applications, promising to automate and enhance tasks such as log file analysis and predictive maintenance. AI’s ability to process large datasets quickly and identify patterns or anomalies offered clear business benefits, such as reducing unplanned downtime and improving service resolution times. This practical application of AI was seen as a valuable tool for enterprises.

However, the focus has shifted towards generative AI and the development of ever-larger language models. This shift has led to discussions about the power consumption, global trade in GPUs, and the phenomenon of AI “hallucinations”—where AI generates incorrect or nonsensical outputs. These issues pose significant challenges for enterprise IT as they attempt to integrate AI into business processes.

The current approach to AI, characterized by massive GPU clusters and high power consumption, is not seen as sustainable. The investments in AI infrastructure are substantial, with companies spending hundreds of millions of dollars to build single foundational models. This approach is not scalable and does not deliver significant business value to most organizations. The high costs and limited returns suggest that this model of AI development may not be viable in the long term.

There is a growing recognition that AI should be viewed as a feature of larger business processes or applications rather than a standalone product. The true transformation promised by AI will likely be realized when models are applied across industries with techniques such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) or fine-tuning existing models, rather than developing new ones from scratch. This approach can provide more immediate and practical business benefits without the need for massive infrastructure investments.

The rapid pace of AI development also means that the technology is constantly evolving. Enterprises are not yet ready for full-scale AI model training, as they often lack the necessary data preparation and infrastructure. Most enterprises are currently using existing models and focusing on RAG or fine-tuning, but even these approaches present challenges. The expectations for AI often exceed the current capabilities, leading to a mismatch between anticipated and actual outcomes.

The future of AI will likely involve more efficient and scalable solutions. Innovations such as on-device inferencing and smaller, more optimized models are already showing promise. These developments could reduce the need for large-scale GPU clusters and make AI more accessible and practical for a wider range of applications.

In conclusion, while AI is certain to transform society and computing, the current approach to AI infrastructure and development is not sustainable. The focus should shift towards integrating AI as a feature within larger business processes and finding more efficient ways to deploy AI technologies. The rapid pace of change in AI means that what we know of it today may soon be considered a fad, but the underlying potential of AI to drive business value and innovation remains strong.

Podcast InformationStephen Foskett is the Organizer of the Tech Field Day Event Series, now part of The Futurum Group. Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

Alastair Cooke is a CTO Advisor at The Futurum Group. You can connect with Alastair on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and you can read more of his research notes and insights on The Futurum Group’s website.

Allyson Klein, Global Marketing and Communications Leader and Founder of The Tech Arena. You can connect with Allyson on Twitter or LinkedIn. Find out more information on the Tech Arena website.

Glenn Dekhayser is the Global Principal at Equinix. You can connect with Glenn on LinkedIn and learn more on his website. You can learn more about Equinix on their website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode and do give us a rating and a review. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group.

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Generative AI tools and features are becoming an indispensable part of the way operations teams do their jobs. Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Keith Parsons, Kerry Kulp, and Ron Westfall for this episode discussing the rise of AI tools and how they are implemented. The guests talk about how AI tools should be used by teams to increase their capabilities. They also discuss where AI still has a lot of room to grow and how to avoid traps that could cause issues for stakeholders and champions.

AI Has A Place In Networking OperationsGenerative AI tools and features are becoming an indispensable part of the way operations teams do their jobs. Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Keith Parsons, Kerry Kulp, and Ron Westfall for this episode discussing the rise of AI tools and how they are implemented. The guests talk about how AI tools should be used by teams to increase their capabilities. They also discuss where AI still has a lot of room to grow and how to avoid traps that could cause issues for stakeholders and champions.

A huge place that AI tools can assist practitioners is with massive data parsing and analysis. Logging can produce an enormous amount of data that must be indexed and sifted before patterns can emerge and be acted upon. With AI tools, log analysis can be done in real time thanks to algorithms acting on the data as it is written and not after it has been stored for hours or days. The capability to find anomalous patterns and act on them quickly can enhance team productivity.

One area of concern for professionals just coming into the workforce is the possibility of relying too much on AI to make decisions and removing some of the learning from the process of gaining experience. When AI fixes mistakes or handles some of basic tasks departments run the risk of having employees that are not trained to recognize these issues that can signal the onset of a greater problem. This gap in skills could lead to fewer opportunities to advance in the company. Therefore, it is important to realize that while AI is fixing issues you also must learn what the AI is doing so you recognize where it is adding value.

AI-enabled tools must also work hand-in-hand with professionals to get feedback on the quality of a solution. AI can only work when someone with expert knowledge sees the assistance or the solution and provides critical feedback to ensure that the algorithm is working properly. Careful analysis results in fewer hallucinations and more appropriate responses instead of wild suggestions sourced from dubious locations. The people in the system need to tune the results to fit their specific needs, thereby increasing the accuracy of the platform as time goes by.

Lastly, these solutions need to be tied to business outcomes. Suggesting AI for the sake of making things more technical or simply reducing headcount can lead to improperly implemented solutions and subpar performance. Organizations should analyze their preferred outcomes and set expectations early to provide appropriate measurement and recommended milestones to ensure projects stay on time and continue to remain focused on goals.

Podcast InformationTom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website.

Kerry Kulp is a founding partner at Velaspan. You can connect with Kerry on Twitter or on LinkedIn and find out more about Velaspan on their website.

Keith Parsons is the Managing Director at Wireless LAN Professionals Conference and a long time Field Day Delegate. You can connect with Keith on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter, or visit the WLANPros website to learn more.

Ron Westfall is The Research Director at The Futurum Group specializing in Digital Transformation, 5G, AI, Security, Cloud Computing, IoT and Data Center as well as the host of 5G Factor Webcast. You can connect with Ron on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter and see his work on The Futurum Group’s website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode and do give us a rating and a review. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group.

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Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) is a very popular topic in the modern enterprise. It promises a way to consume networking technologies in the same way that one would purchase cloud computing by only charging users for what they need. In this episode of the Tech Field Day podcast, Jordan Martin, Micheline Murphy, and Robb Boyd join Tom Hollingsworth as they discuss the various ways that Network-as-a-Service can be expressed in an organization. They debate the merits of the operational model versus the financial aspects and how NaaS blends into the wider industry trends.

Watch the presentations from Networking Field Day on the Tech Field Day Event Page.

Network-as-a-Service is a way to help organizations take advantage of elastic pricing and operational simplicity. Much like the managed service providers (MSP) years ago, NaaS companies allow you to effectively rent the hardware from a company that will deploy and manage it for you. If that sounds more like leasing equipment you’re not far from the truth. The panelists discuss how the shift in terminology has transformed a financial transaction into more of a status symbol in enterprise IT.

NaaS isn’t something that is being theorized though. Many companies are doing it today, and not all of them look like the total replacement model. Some are doing it in more focused areas, such as SD-WAN and SASE providers handling the back-end infrastructure and leaving the management of on-premises devices to the customer. There are also avenues for providers to only do a portion of the infrastructure, such as firewalls or wireless access points. As companies spend more time developing products and solutions the number of options available to those that want to implement NaaS will only continue to grow.

The wider industry is focused on providing flexible models that allow more customers to add technology while also reducing the need for capital expenditure (CapEx) budgeting. With more users working remotely the need for massive office upgrades is subsiding. That means more opportunities for providers to come in and offer compelling solutions at lower price points. However, companies need to understand what they’re getting into and how it could affect them in the future before they decide that going with the service model is the right decision.

Podcast Information: Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website.

Jordan Martin is the Principal Architect at World Wide Technology. You can connect with Jordan on LinkedIn, on Mastodon, or on X/Twitter.

Micheline Murphy is the Consulting Systems Engineer at World Wide Technology. You can connect with Micheline on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. Learn more about her on her website.

Robb Boyd is the Host of the WTT Research Series at World Wide Technology. You can connect with Robb on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. Learn more about Robb on his website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode and do give us a rating and a review. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group.

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Despite the hype about modern applications, the mainframe remains central to enterprise IT and is rapidly adopting new technologies. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast features Steven Dickens, Geoffrey Decker, and Jon Hildebrand talking to Stephen Foskett about the modern mainframe prior to the SHARE conference. The modern datacenter is rapidly adopting technologies like containerization, orchestration, and artificial intelligence, and these are coming to the mainframe world as well. And the continued importance of mainframe applications, especially in finance and transportation, makes the mainframe more important than ever. There is a tremendous career opportunity in mainframes as well, with recent grads commanding high salaries and working with exciting modern technologies. Modern mainframes run Linux natively, support OpenShift and containers, and support all of the latest languages and programming models in addition to PL1, Cobol, DB2, and of course zOS. We’re looking forward to bringing the latest in the mainframe space from SHARE to our audience.

For more information on SHARE Kansas City 2024, check out the event page. For more events, head to the Tech Field Day website for details.

The Mainframe Remains Vital in DevOps and AIDespite the rapid evolution and adoption of modern applications in enterprise IT, the mainframe continues to play a pivotal role, especially in industries such as finance and transportation. The mainframe is not only enduring but also evolving by integrating new technologies like containerization, orchestration, and artificial intelligence. This integration is crucial for maintaining operational resilience, enhancing cybersecurity, and improving application development through DevOps practices.

Mainframes are the backbone of many critical systems, handling vast amounts of transactional data for credit card processing, airline operations, government departments, and tax offices. The reliability and robustness of mainframes in these high-stakes environments underscore their continued relevance. The recent outages experienced by cloud service providers like CrowdStrike and Microsoft highlight the importance of operational resilience, an area where mainframes excel.

The adoption of AI in mainframe environments is particularly noteworthy. AI is being infused into various tools to enhance coding and operational efficiencies. Major players like BMC, IBM, and Broadcom have made significant announcements regarding their AI initiatives, which are aimed at improving the mainframe’s capabilities. The integration of AI allows for real-time decision-making processes, such as fraud detection during credit card transactions, directly within the mainframe environment.

The educational landscape around mainframes is also evolving. Institutions like Northern Illinois University (NIU) are reviving their mainframe curricula to address the growing demand for skilled mainframe developers. Courses in assembler, COBOL, and other mainframe-related subjects are being reintroduced to prepare the next generation of mainframe professionals. Despite the historical decline in mainframe-focused education, the dire need for these skills in the industry is prompting universities to reconsider their course offerings. The career prospects in the mainframe domain are promising. Recent graduates with mainframe skills, particularly in COBOL, are highly sought after by major corporations such as Citibank, Wells Fargo, and Walmart. The salaries for these positions are competitive, often approaching six figures right out of college. This demand is driven by the aging workforce of current mainframe professionals and the critical nature of mainframe applications in enterprise environments.

Technologically, modern mainframes are versatile. They can run multiple operating systems, including Linux distributions like SLES, Debian, RHEL, and Ubuntu, as well as traditional mainframe operating systems like z/OS. This versatility extends to the ability to run containerized applications using platforms like OpenShift directly on the mainframe. This reduces latency and enhances performance by bringing cloud workloads closer to the mainframe’s robust processing capabilities. The mainframe’s ability to handle modern workloads is exemplified by its support for containerized Java applications and the integration of open-source packages like Podman. The hardware accelerators built into mainframes enable the efficient execution of AI workloads, further enhancing their capabilities for modern enterprise needs.

The mainframe ecosystem is also seeing innovative solutions aimed at simplifying development and operations. For instance, companies like Pop-Up Mainframe are making it easier for developers to create and test applications on mainframes without needing extensive mainframe-specific knowledge. This aligns with the broader DevOps movement and facilitates the integration of mainframe environments into modern development workflows.

In summary, the mainframe is far from obsolete. It is a dynamic and evolving platform that continues to be central to enterprise IT. With its adoption of new technologies, robust educational programs, and promising career opportunities, the mainframe is well-positioned to remain a cornerstone of enterprise computing for years to come.

Podcast Information: Stephen Foskett is the Organizer of the Tech Field Day Event Series, now part of The Futurum Group. Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

Steven Dickens is Chief Technology Officer at The Futurum Group. You can connect with Steven on X/Twitter or on LinkedIn and listen to his frequent appearances on Infrastructure Matters.

Geoffrey Decker is an instructor for mainframe curriculum at Northern Illinois University. You can connect with Geoffrey on X/Twitter or on LinkedIn. Learn more about him on his NIU Faculty Profile.

Jon Hildebrand is an automation and observability expert. You can connect with Jon on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. Learn more about Jon by reading his personal blog.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode and do give us a rating and a review. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group.

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Network Engineering isn’t the hottest profession on the block and people have expressed concerns that the profession is going to be subsumed into other disciplines in the near future. In this episode of the Tech Field Day podcast, Tom Hollingsworth joins Andy Lapteff and Remington Loose at the table to discuss the decline in network engineering roles. They also talk about changes in perceptions as well as the industry. They close out by discussing the future outlook for roles involving network engineering.

Watch the presentations from Networking Field Day on the Tech Field Day Event Page.

Andy leads off the podcast by talking about how he believes that he wouldn’t recommend anyone get into the network engineering profession. This is followed by agreement that younger professionals getting into the industry are more focused on careers that are glamorous, such as cybersecurity or AI. Even though network engineering has a higher pay scale and good job security, those starting out would rather do the more exciting things.

Tom jumps in to highlight that network engineering might not be growing but it is far from dying. Looking at careers like mainframe operators or COBOL programmers will show that no matter how old the technology might be there are still people that need to do the job. With the rise of cloud computing, people are training on new technologies and finding that some of the same skills they’ve needed in the past apply in the new role. That means that specialized knowledge is still critical no matter what the actual skill might be.

The real culprit is that engineering skills have been abstracted away as the focus of the operations have moved toward app-centric models and dwell less on the actual infrastructure. That means that people who have trained on those skills in the past will still be valuable even if they aren’t the lords of the datacenter that they previously might have been. Given the reduced prestige and continued long hours, on-call needs, and lack of recognition in the company, it’s a wonder that people want to be network engineers at all. But to say the field is dying is not accurate.

Podcast Information: Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website.

Remington Loose is a Network Architect for Dynamix Group, Inc. You can connect with Remington on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. Learn more about him on his personal website.

Andy Lapteff is a Network Engineer and the Co-Creator of the Art of Network Engineering Podcast. You can connect with Andy on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. Learn more about the Art of Network Engineering Podcast on their website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode and do give us a rating and a review. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group.

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Open-source platforms and managed services are a huge help when it comes to modernizing applications, especially for smaller businesses. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast, recorded at AppDev Field Day, includes Jack Poller, Stephen Foskett, and Paul Nashawaty discussing the challenges and solutions for small businesses in modernizing applications. Small businesses often face significant challenges when it comes to modernizing their applications, primarily due to limited resources and the complexity of cutting-edge technologies. While larger enterprises might have the capacity to adopt sophisticated technologies like microservices, AI, and advanced security systems, smaller companies struggle to keep pace. However, the availability of open-source technologies and managed services provides a viable pathway for these businesses to modernize incrementally. By leveraging open-source platforms and engaging with managed services, small businesses can modernize their applications without the need for extensive in-house expertise or substantial upfront investment. This approach allows them to progressively adopt new technologies and improve their competitive position in the market.

Watch the presentations from AppDev Field Day Event and more on the Tech Field Day website.

Open-source platforms and managed services are increasingly becoming pivotal in aiding small businesses to modernize their applications. This trend is driven by the need for these businesses to update their systems without the heavy financial and resource burdens that typically accompany such transformations. Open-source solutions provide a cost-effective and flexible alternative to proprietary software, offering a wide range of tools and libraries that businesses can adapt to their specific needs. This is particularly beneficial for small businesses that may not have the extensive IT departments or budgets of larger corporations but still need to compete in a technology-driven market.

The use of managed services further complements the advantages offered by open-source technologies. Managed services allow businesses to outsource certain IT functions, such as application management, cloud services, and cybersecurity, to specialized providers. This not only helps small businesses manage costs more effectively by reducing the need for in-house IT staff but also ensures that they have access to the latest technologies and expertise. Managed service providers can offer scalable solutions that grow with the business, ensuring that IT capabilities align with business needs without upfront investments in hardware or software.

One significant challenge for small businesses looking to modernize their applications is the complexity of new technologies. Advanced solutions like microservices architectures, artificial intelligence (AI), and sophisticated security protocols can be daunting. However, open-source communities often provide extensive documentation, user forums, and support that can help small businesses navigate these complexities. By engaging with these communities, small businesses can access a wealth of knowledge and experience, reducing the learning curve associated with new technologies.

Moreover, open-source software often encourages innovation through community collaboration. Small businesses can benefit from the continuous improvements and innovations contributed by developers worldwide. This collaborative approach not only accelerates the development process but also introduces small businesses to best practices and emerging trends in software development.

However, adopting open-source software does come with challenges, such as the need for technical expertise to customize and maintain the software. This is where managed services play a crucial role. By partnering with providers that offer tailored support and services, small businesses can leverage the benefits of open-source software without needing to develop deep technical expertise internally. Managed service providers can handle the complex aspects of software integration, security, and compliance, allowing small businesses to focus on their core operations.

In conclusion, the combination of open-source platforms and managed services provides a powerful pathway for small businesses to modernize their applications. This approach not only helps manage costs and reduce complexity but also enables small businesses to tap into advanced technologies and innovate faster. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, small businesses that leverage these tools effectively will be better positioned to compete and succeed in the modern economy.

Podcast Information: Stephen Foskett is the Organizer of the Tech Field Day Event Series, now part of The Futurum Group. Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

Paul Nashawaty is a Practice Lead focused on Application Development Modernization at The Futurum Group. You can connect with Paul on LinkedIn and learn more about his research and analysis on The Futurum Group’s website.

Jack Poller is and industry leading cybersecurity analyst and Founder of Paradigm Technica. You can connect with Jack on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. Learn more on Paradigm Technica’s website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode and do give us a rating and a review. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group.

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On-premises networks are still very common for specialize applications and need to adopt cloud network operational models. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by experts Ron Westfall, Chris Grundemann, and Jeremy Schulman as they discuss how to better implement these preferred methods. They also debate how each model has different requirements and may face headwinds in an enterprise.

Watch the presentations from Networking Field Day on the Tech Field Day Event Page.

On-premises networks are still very common for specialize applications and need to adopt cloud network operational models. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by experts Ron Westfall, Chris Grundemann, and Jeremy Schulman as they discuss how to better implement these preferred methods. They also debate how each model has different requirements and may face headwinds in an enterprise.

The experts discuss how hybrid cloud is an operational model that helps organizations balance the needs of regulatory needs in addition to operational efficiencies. Not every company is a perfect fit for public cloud and hybrid models give a much better experience. Hybrid cloud also allows for better transitions for applications as organizations investigate moving more of their workloads into the cloud.

Another key distinction is ensuring that the operational model focuses on a service-oriented architecture. Cloud networks offer a limited feature set for services to force users to conform to their service offerings. For networks with more technical debt it is critical to investigate the requirements of your existing network to ensure compatibility with these ideas.

One of the newest applications that is driving this shift in operational models is AI. With the surge of companies that are adopting on-premises AI hardware clusters the method of using them most efficiently comes into question. Because there is no legacy model of AI outside of the modern application there is already a bias for cloud model operation. This means that organizations deploying AI clusters are starting to apply those ideas to their traditional networks.

In the end, you need to ensure that you know what your network requirements are before you try to adopt new ways to managing it. Otherwise you may find yourself with the worst of both worlds when you try to change the way you do things and make everyone unhappy.

Podcast Information: Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website.

Ron Westfall is The Research Director at The Futurum Group specializing in Digital Transformation, 5G, AI, Security, Cloud Computing, IoT and Data Center as well as the host of 5G Factor Webcast. You can connect with Ron on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter and see his work on The Futurum Group’s website.

Chris Grundemann is the Managing Director at Grundemann Technology Solutions. You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter or visit his website to learn more.

Jeremy Schulman is Senior Director of Solution Engineering, Infrastructure at Major League Baseball. You can connect with Jeremy on X/Twitter or on LinkedIn where you can also read more about his work.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode and do give us a rating and a review. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group.

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The cloud operating model is everywhere these days, and just about everything is now called cloud. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast, recorded live at Cloud Field Day 20, includes Stephen Foskett, Jeffrey Powers, Alastair Cooke, and Steve Puluka discussing the true meaning of the term cloud computing. Cloud has evolved from its initial definition by NIST in 2012. The cloud concept is ubiquitous, adopted from personal devices to industrial IoT and data centers. The cloud operating model abstracts the complexity of underlying infrastructure, allowing businesses to focus on their core differentiators. But even though the cloud is everywhere, the panelists concluded that while the cloud is everywhere, not everything is the cloud.

Watch the presentations and more on the Cloud Field Day 20 Event Page here.

Everything in tech is called “cloud,” from personal devices to industrial IoT, data centers, and beyond. The evolution of cloud computing, which was formally defined by NIST in 2012, has seen the concept permeate various sectors, transforming how services are delivered and consumed. Initially, cloud services were the domain of large data centers operated by companies like AWS, Azure, and Alibaba. However, over the past decade, cloud principles have been adopted by smaller companies, the VMware community, and even personal users, making the cloud a universal operating model rather than just a location.

The core appeal of the cloud lies in its ability to abstract the complexities of underlying infrastructure, allowing businesses to focus on differentiating their services rather than managing hardware intricacies. This shift has led to a significant reduction in the need for detailed knowledge about hardware configurations, as cloud services handle these aspects seamlessly. The cloud operating model enables businesses to allocate resources more efficiently, focusing on application development and operational excellence rather than hardware maintenance.

The future of storage and computing is increasingly leaning towards a combination of cloud services and mobile devices. The younger generation, for instance, is more inclined to use mobile devices for tasks traditionally performed on laptops. This trend is supported by the cloud’s ability to provide a seamless experience across devices, ensuring that data and applications are accessible regardless of the hardware in use. This shift is evident in the rise of devices like Chromebooks, which rely heavily on cloud services for storage and application delivery.

In the enterprise realm, the cloud’s influence is equally profound. While data gravity and latency considerations still necessitate on-premises deployments for certain applications, the cloud operating model is becoming the standard. Modern applications are designed to accommodate the latency and caching mechanisms inherent in cloud environments, enabling seamless operation regardless of the physical location of the infrastructure. Legacy applications, while still present, are gradually being replaced or virtualized to fit into this new paradigm.

The edge, traditionally characterized by proprietary hardware, has also undergone a transformation. Today, edge locations utilize standard servers running virtual machines or containerized applications orchestrated by platforms like Kubernetes. This approach mirrors the cloud operating model, where local servers act as caches for cloud services, ensuring resilience and flexibility. The edge has, in many ways, become more cloud-like than traditional data centers, embracing the principles of abstraction and orchestration.

Despite these advancements, the cloud is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Certain applications, particularly those with stringent latency and data sovereignty requirements, may still necessitate on-premises deployments. However, the overarching trend is towards a cloud-centric model, where infrastructure is managed and consumed as a service, regardless of its physical location. This shift is driven by the need for agility, scalability, and cost-efficiency, which the cloud model inherently provides.

In conclusion, while not everything is the cloud, the cloud is indeed everywhere. It has become the default operating model for modern IT services, extending from personal devices to enterprise data centers and edge locations. The cloud’s principles of abstraction, orchestration, and service-based delivery have permeated all aspects of technology, making it an integral part of the digital landscape. As technology continues to evolve, the cloud will remain a central theme, shaping how services are delivered and consumed in an increasingly connected world.

Podcast Information: Stephen Foskett is the Organizer of the Tech Field Day Event Series, now part of The Futurum Group. Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

Steve Puluka is an IP architect and a retired network administrator. You can connect with Steve on X/Twitter or on LinkedIn and learn more about him on his website.

Alastair Cooke is a CTO Advisor at The Futurum Group. You can connect with Alastair on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and you can read more of his research notes and insights on The Futurum Group’s website.

Jeffrey Powers is the Moderator and Lead Tech at Geekazine. You can connect with Jeffrey on X/Twitter or on LinkedIn and learn more about Geekazine on their website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode and do give us a rating and a review. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group.

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Generative AI will revolutionize enterprise IT, but not in the way people expect. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast includes Stephen Foskett discussing the impact of GenAI with Jack Poller, Calvin Hendryx-Parker, and Josh Atwell at AppDev Field Day. The discussion centered around the potential impact of generative AI on enterprises, debating whether it will significantly transform business operations or merely offer incremental improvements. Generative AI is still in its infancy and may not yet provide revolutionary benefits, but there is great potential for AI in automating tasks and enhancing efficiencies despite challenges in implementation and validation. We must be realistic when it comes to the application of AI in enterprises, and it is important to understand the real capabilities and limitations, and the role of existing vendors in integrating AI functionalities into their products.

Watch the presentations and more on the AppDev Field Day 1 Event Page.

Generative AI (GenAI) is becoming a focal point of discussion across various industries, extending beyond software development and IT into the realms of business, marketing, and executive decision-making. The question remains whether GenAI can substantially impact enterprises or if it remains largely a buzzword with limited practical application.

The current state of GenAI is nascent, primarily enhancing existing processes rather than creating revolutionary changes. Enterprises are contemplating the investment required to integrate GenAI, questioning whether it will merely speed up current operations or genuinely transform business models. The challenge lies in identifying groundbreaking applications that justify the investment in GenAI.

There are compelling arguments for GenAI’s potential benefits within enterprises. For instance, it can automate unit tests, functional tests, and other repetitive tasks, saving significant time and resources. Additionally, GenAI can facilitate complex queries and data analysis, enabling businesses to extract more value from their data. However, these applications often appear as incremental improvements rather than revolutionary changes.

A significant concern for enterprises is the defensive posture they must adopt regarding AI. Employees across various departments are already using public AI frameworks, raising issues about data security and intellectual property. Companies are increasingly looking to develop internal AI models using proprietary data to mitigate these risks, although the timeline for achieving valuable outcomes remains uncertain.

One of the critical advantages of GenAI is its ability to understand and process natural language, which can simplify complex tasks like setting security policies or automating customer service interactions. This capability can reduce the need for extensive manual intervention, potentially decreasing errors and increasing efficiency.

However, the revolutionary impact of GenAI is still debatable. Many enterprises may not fully understand what GenAI entails, often driven by the hype rather than a clear strategy. While GenAI can offer significant improvements in specific areas, such as marketing automation or internal data analysis, these applications might not be as transformative as some might hope.

The integration of GenAI into existing enterprise systems, such as CRM platforms or security frameworks, may offer more immediate and tangible benefits. For example, using GenAI to enhance search capabilities within a company’s knowledge base or to automate routine tasks can provide value without requiring a complete overhaul of existing processes.

Despite the potential benefits, there is a need for enterprises to approach GenAI with a clear understanding of its capabilities and limitations. Investing in GenAI should be driven by well-defined use cases that align with the company’s strategic goals rather than by the desire to follow industry trends.

In conclusion, while GenAI holds promise for enhancing various aspects of enterprise operations, its ability to move the needle significantly is still uncertain. The technology’s true value will likely emerge over time as companies experiment with different applications and integrate GenAI into their broader digital transformation strategies. For now, enterprises should focus on realistic, incremental improvements while keeping an eye on the evolving landscape of GenAI.

Podcast Information: Stephen Foskett is the Organizer of the Tech Field Day Event Series, now part of The Futurum Group. Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

Jack Poller is and industry leading cybersecurity analyst and Founder of Paradigm Technica. You can connect with Jack on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. Learn more on Paradigm Technica’s website.

Calvin Hendryx-Parker is the co-founder and CTO of Six Feet Up, a Python development and Cloud consulting company. You can connect with Calvin on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. Learn more about Six Feet Up on their website.

Josh Atwell is a former data center and cloud automation architect and is now a marketer/consultant. You can connect with Josh in LinkedIn or X/Twitter and learn more about him on his website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode and do give us a rating and a review. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group.

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Wi-Fi has changed the way we work in the office but it’s not the only wireless technology. Challenging environments require new solutions like private 5G. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Mark Houtz and Shaun Neal as they discuss the rise of private LTE/5G technologies outside of the carrier space. They discuss the use cases where private 5G makes the most sense as well as why teams would choose to deploy this technology in the uncarpeted enterprise. The wrap up by suggesting questions that should be asked before embarking on a private 5G deployment.

To learn more about Networking Field Day Exclusive at Aruba Atmosphere, head to the event page on the Tech Field Day website.

It’s Time For Private 5G In the EnterpriseWi-Fi has changed the way we work in the office but it’s not the only wireless technology. Challenging environments require new solutions like private 5G. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Mark Houtz and Shaun Neal as they discuss the rise of private LTE/5G technologies outside of the carrier space. They discuss the use cases where private 5G makes the most sense as well as why teams would choose to deploy this technology in the uncarpeted enterprise.

Private LTE/5G came about because of the need for additional spectrum resources before the authorization of 6 GHz by the US FCC. After the release of that spectrum and its adoption into Wi-Fi 6E the technology formerly known as CBRS has grown to encompass a series of specialized use cases. Wi-Fi isn’t going away, despite recent papers saying it is more of a legacy technology. Private 5G has a much more specific kind of use case, such as the uncarpeted enterprise. This term describes offices that might have more rugged components, such as warehouses or manufacturing floors. The need to cover these areas sufficiently usually means higher costs using Wi-Fi access points. Private 5G excels here because of the higher power capabilities and better spectrum usage.

Private 5G is also a critical component for organizations with highly regulated network requirements, such as the US federal government. Because enterprises need to own their communications infrastructure end-to-end, they are unable to use carriers that provide 5G or LTE services. That means the only real option available to them is a private service. Because of the nature of private 5G small cell size this also means it is much better at providing service indoors, as opposed to the large scale cell sizes employed by carriers to provide a wider area of coverage for subscribers.

The episode closes with the big question that potential customers need to ask of their providers: what is your use case? If you don’t have a compelling use case for the technology or the reasoning behind deploying it is simply “the Wi-Fi doesn’t work” then you might find yourself disappointed by the performance as well as the additional costs. Private 5G is cost competitive with Wi-Fi but only because a single CBRS node can cover a much wider area than a Wi-Fi AP, albeit at a higher cost-per-node. If you have a need to cover outdoor areas or challenging RF environments you should definitely investigate deploying private 5G to your enterprise. It’s about time.

Podcast Information:Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website.

Mark Houtz is a Network Engineer for local school districts in Utah as well as a blogger and content creator. You can connect with Mark on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. Learn more about him on his website.

Shaun Neal is the Senior Director of Engineering Services at EVOTEK. You can connect with Shaun on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and learn more on his website.

Learn more about the Tech Field Day podcast on the Tech Field Day website. Follow the podcast on X/Twitter and follow Tech Field Day and Gestalt IT on LinkedIn for more great content.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode and do give us a rating and a review. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group.

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Software developers used to use the term cloud native to describe applications that are designed for the cloud, but today it seems to be more of a term for containerized applications. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast, recorded ahead of Cloud Field Day 20, includes Guy Currier, Jack Poller, Ziv Levy, and Stephen Foskett discussing the true meaning of cloud native today. Merely running a monolithic application in containers doesn’t make it cloud native, though it certainly can be beneficial. To be truly cloud native, an application has to be microservices based and scalable, and built to take advantage of modern application platforms and resources. There is some question whether a cloud native application needs to have API access, telemetry and observability, service management, network and storage integration, and security. But ultimately the words used to describe an application are less important than the value and benefits of it. Although it is disappointing that the definition of cloud native has been watered down, the core concepts still have value.

For more information on upcoming events or to watch the presentations, head to the Tech Field Day website and click on the Cloud Field Day 20 event page.

The Dilution and Value of “Cloud Native”Software developers originally coined the term “cloud native” to describe applications specifically designed for cloud environments. However, over time, this term has evolved, or arguably devolved, into a buzzword often associated with containerized applications.

Initially, “cloud native” was a term to describe applications that were fundamentally designed to leverage cloud resources. These applications were built with the understanding that cloud resources could be ephemeral and not always persistently available. This necessitated a design philosophy that embraced the cloud’s self-service nature and inherent fragility. Fast forward to the present, and “cloud native” is often synonymous with containerization, particularly Kubernetes. This shift has led some to question whether the term retains its original meaning or has been diluted.

In the cybersecurity realm, “cloud native” is frequently used to distinguish applications developed specifically for the cloud from legacy applications that were adapted to run in cloud environments. This distinction is crucial for understanding the capabilities and limitations of a given application. However, the term’s overuse and varied interpretations can lead to confusion, as different vendors and stakeholders may have different definitions of what constitutes a cloud native application.

Within the infrastructure world, “cloud native” has become almost interchangeable with “Kubernetes.” This association is not without merit, as Kubernetes has become a cornerstone of modern cloud infrastructure. However, equating cloud native solely with containerization overlooks the broader architectural principles that truly define cloud native applications.

A critical aspect of cloud native applications is their design around microservices and scalability. Simply running a monolithic application in a container does not make it cloud native. True cloud native applications are built to take full advantage of modern application platforms and resources. This includes being microservices-based, scalable, and capable of leveraging the cloud’s dynamic nature.

There is a question as to whether cloud native applications need to have API access, telemetry, observability, service management, network and storage integration, and robust security. While these features are often associated with cloud native applications, they are not necessarily definitional. For instance, APIs are a standard way to interact with cloud native systems, allowing for automation and scalability. However, an application could theoretically be cloud native without relying heavily on APIs.

A similar question can be raised about telemetry and observability. These features provide critical insights into how an application is performing and behaving in a cloud environment, making them indispensable for managing cloud native applications effectively.

Security and networking are also crucial components. Cloud native applications must be designed with security in mind, leveraging various services and controls to ensure a secure stack. Networking, often overlooked, plays a vital role in ensuring the responsiveness and availability of cloud native applications.

Despite the term’s dilution, the core concepts of cloud native applications—scalability, performance, stability, and predictability—remain valuable. These principles enable the development of applications that can grow and adapt to meet changing demands, providing a significant advantage over traditional monolithic architectures.

Ultimately, while “cloud native” may be used as a marketing term, its true value lies in the benefits it delivers. As long as an application meets the goals of scalability, performance, and resilience, the specific terminology becomes less important. However, it is crucial for vendors and developers to back up their claims with tangible results, ensuring that the term “cloud native” retains its significance in the industry.

Podcast Information: Stephen Foskett is the Organizer of the Tech Field Day Event Series, now part of The Futurum Group. Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

Guy Currier is the VP and CTO of Visible Impact, part of The Futurum Group. You can connect with Guy on X/Twitter and on LinkedIn. Learn more about Visible Impact on their website. For more insights, go to The Futurum Group’s website.

Ziv Levy is the Founder and CEO at Cloudsulting, LLC. You can connect with Ziv on X/Twitter or on LinkedIn. Read more about his thoughts through his LinkedIn updates.

Jack Poller is and industry leading cybersecurity analyst and Founder of Paradigm Technica. You can connect with Jack on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. Learn more on Paradigm Technica’s website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode and do give us a rating and a review. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group.

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AI is at the top of the hype cycle and it feels unstoppable. Once upon a time blockchain was in the same place. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Evan Mintzer and Jody Lemoine. They tackle the surge behind AI development as well as the way the technology is portrayed in the industry. They compare how blockchain and AI are both solutions in search of a problem and how AI might better avoid the fate of DeFi. Also discussed is the potential way for AI-related companies to avoid issues with the AI bubble popping.

AI is at the top of the hype cycle and it feels unstoppable. Once upon a time blockchain was in the same place. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Evan Mintzer and Jody Lemoine. They tackle the surge behind AI development as well as the way the technology is portrayed in the industry. They compare how blockchain and AI are both solutions in search of a problem and how AI might better avoid the fate of DeFi. Also discussed is the potential way for AI-related companies to avoid issues with the AI bubble popping.

AI is being marketed as the solution for every problem you might have, known or unknown. While this does sound like the way to solve your difficult problems, it creates a problem in and of itself. Blockchain was also marketed as a solution to all your issues just a few years ago. In the IT space, OpenFlow was the same just a few years before that. Once the hype cycle died down and people realized these technologies were good for specific applications the market had already moved on to the next great magical solution. Users that had invested heavily in the previous hype cycle were left holding the bag.

AI is a too, just like any other. It’s not a panacea that fixes every issue. Adding it to a platform for dubious reasons or in the hope of creating additional value is short-sighted. AI won’t make everything it touches better without serious investment in time and effort to match the resources to the outputs. A company that is spending time to make sure AI has value to their customers will succeed. A company that is just tossing AI into their product to get additional funding is going to fail. This is doubly true for situations where adding AI to the solution creates more issues, such as data retention issues or security holes.

AI needs to be evaluated to be valuable to users. Don’t just blindly accept that AI is the one thing that we’ve been missing to have a utopia. Whether or not the billions of dollars we’ve invested in the infrastructure will pay off, remember that we’ve done things like this before. Given the track record of the average tech startup we will also be doing something like that again, and again.

Podcast Information: Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website.

Jody Lemoine, is a Network Engineer at Tishco Networks. You can connect with Jody on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and learn more about him on his website.

Evan Mintzer is the Director of Production Infrastructure at Customers Bank. You can connect with Evan on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and learn more on his website.

Learn more about the Tech Field Day podcast on the Tech Field Day website. Follow the podcast on X/Twitter and follow Tech Field Day and Gestalt IT on LinkedIn for more great content.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode and do give us a rating and a review. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group.

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As application development and modernization moves forward, security has never been more important. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast introduces AppDev Field Day with a discussion of the importance of DevSecOps featuring Paul Nashawaty, Mitch Ashley, Michael Levan, and Stephen Foskett. Application security isn’t just about the vulnerabilities in the application itself; the entire software stack must be secure. There are many approaches, from vulnerability scanning to minimization of the attack surface, but the most important thing is to build security into software from the start. There are many parallels between physical infrastructure and software applications, with many of the same security considerations. Various components make up a software bill of materials (SBOM) and any of these can expose a vulnerability or be attacked. Platform engineering is an important connector between infrastructure and developers, and plays a major role in reducing the attack surface. It’s all about bringing expertise to the table to build supportable and secure platforms for modern applications.

Application development and modernization require a strong focus on security to ensure both new and heritage applications are protected. Applications can be categorized into heritage, modern (containerized and orchestrated), and future (potentially involving web assembly and serverless technology) states. Addressing security challenges such as skill gaps, refactoring decisions, and ecosystem integration is crucial.

The rise of open-source vulnerabilities has made application security increasingly overwhelming. It is essential to secure the entire software lifecycle, including the supply chain and toolchain used for development, testing, and deployment. A holistic approach to application security, beyond just APIs and vulnerabilities, is necessary.

While securing containers, pods, clusters, and VMs is important, the primary focus should be on code security. Vulnerabilities within the code cannot be compensated for by external security measures. Organizations must integrate security at the code level to ensure robust protection.

Reducing the attack surface is a key part of modernization efforts. Refactoring monolithic applications into microservices and containerizing them can help streamline applications and minimize their attack surface. Segregating common elements and business logic reduces exposure and enhances security.

The concept of “shift left” involves integrating security early in the development process rather than treating it as an afterthought. This approach ensures that security is built into the design and development process from the start, much like incorporating airbags into a car during manufacturing rather than adding them later.

Platform engineering plays a significant role in enhancing security. Platform engineers build environments for internal teams, including QA, security, IT, DevOps, and developers. This role requires a deep understanding of networking, infrastructure, virtualization, Kubernetes, software development, and security. It is a position suited for senior or principal-level engineers with extensive experience.

Platform engineering focuses on creating supportable, sustainable, and secure platforms for developers. Leveraging expertise to deliver secure and reliable systems aligns with broader IT goals.

Integrating security into every aspect of application development and modernization is crucial. Adopting DevSecOps principles, emphasizing platform engineering, and taking a holistic approach to security are essential for building secure applications. By prioritizing code security, reducing the attack surface, and leveraging expertise, organizations can enhance their security posture and ensure successful modernization efforts.

Podcast Information:Stephen Foskett is the Organizer of the Tech Field Day Event Series, now part of The Futurum Group. Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

Michael Levan is a Network Engineer as well as a Kubernetes and Containers Trainer, Consultant, and Content Creator. You can connect with Michael on LinkedIn or on Twitter. Found out more about Michael on his blog or on his YouTube channel.

Mitch Ashley is the Principal Analyst and CTO at the Techstrong Group. You can connect with Mitch on LinkedIn and view more of the content he appears on at the Techstrong TV website.

Paul Nashawaty is a Practice Lead focused on Application Development Modernization at The Futurum Group. You can connect with Paul on LinkedIn and learn more about his research and analysis on The Futurum Group’s website.

Learn more about the Tech Field Day podcast on the Tech Field Day website. Follow the podcast on X/Twitter and follow Tech Field Day and Gestalt IT on LinkedIn for more great content.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode and do give us a rating and a review. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group.

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The rise of platform engineering demonstrates how difficult it has been to balance DevOps between developers and operations. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast features a discussion of platform engineering with Mitch Ashley and Mike Vizard of Techstrong Group and Stephen Foskett and Tom Hollingsworth of Gestalt IT. We explore the dynamic interplay between DevOps and platform engineering, two methodologies shaping the modern IT landscape. DevOps fosters a culture of collaboration, continuous integration, and rapid software deployment, promoting agility and innovation. However, the challenges of scalability and standardization within DevOps have given rise to platform engineering, which focuses on creating and managing standardized development and operational platforms. This approach aims to enhance DevOps by providing a stable foundation, allowing developers to concentrate on coding and innovation. We delve into how these seemingly divergent approaches are, in fact, complementary, balancing the need for speed and innovation with the demands of security, compliance, and scalability in the ever-evolving IT industry.

The collision between IT operations and software development reveals the challenges of achieving efficiency, agility, and innovation. The interplay between DevOps and platform engineering, two approaches integral to the modern IT ecosystem’s growth and transformation, is the heart of the current conflict. DevOps emerged to bridge the gap between development and operations, promoting collaboration, continuous integration, and rapid software delivery. But the challenge of scalability gave rise to platform engineering, a strategic response focused on standardization, improved security, and performance.

Platform engineering can be seen as the revenge of IT operations, addressing the chaos of disparate tools and methods across teams by providing a shared foundation of tools and processes. This standardization reduces friction, enhances security, and improves overall efficiency. Yet, it raises questions about flexibility and innovation. DevOps was initially embraced to move away from rigid, centralized IT practices, and platform engineering’s emphasis on consistency can feel like a step back. Developers worry about losing the freedom to experiment with new tools, potentially stifling innovation.

The friction between DevOps and platform engineering reflects a broader debate within IT about balancing innovation with control. While DevOps champions flexibility, platform engineering emphasizes structured workflows and scalability, aiming to alleviate the drudgery of managing infrastructure and tooling. This allows developers to focus more on coding and innovation. However, it is crucial to maintain a middle ground, where platform engineering does not become the “land of no” but rather supports the “department of yes” by allowing flexibility to adopt new methods and tools.

Platform engineering’s goal is to create a stable environment where developers can thrive without constant interruptions and context switching. By reducing cognitive load and allowing dedicated time for development, platform engineering aims to enhance productivity and creativity. However, this approach must avoid becoming a benevolent dictatorship, recognizing that the best tool for every task is not always possible. Platform engineering runs on consensus, providing a balance between structure and flexibility.

As companies evolve, they must navigate the tension between standardization and innovation, finding ways to integrate new tools without compromising security and performance. The rise of consumable versions of complex platforms, like Salesforce, exemplifies how standardization can coexist with customization, providing a language for how things should be done. Ultimately, platform engineering is about making thoughtful, consensus-driven decisions that support both the organization’s needs and developers’ creativity, ensuring that IT operations and development methodologies continue to advance in harmony.

Podcast Information: Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website.

Stephen Foskett is the Organizer of the Tech Field Day Event Series, now part of The Futurum Group. Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

Mitch Ashley is the Principal Analyst and CTO at the Techstrong Group. You can connect with Mitch on LinkedIn and view more of the content he appears on at the Techstrong TV website.

Mike Vizard is the Chief Content Officer at the Techstrong Group. You can connect with Mike on LinkedIn and view more of the content he appears on at the Techstrong TV website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode. Please do give us a rating and a review, it helps with discoverability. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise and part of The Futurum Group. For upcoming events and more episodes, head to the Tech Field Day website.

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New technology standards can’t anticipate how users will consume content and applications and revisions to the standards will be adopted to meet their needs. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Ron Westfall, Drew Lentz, and Rocky Gregory as they discuss where Wi-Fi 7 falls short. Even though Wi-Fi 7 is a new standard it is still based on older thinking and users have changed the way they consume content and applications. This episode discusses the difference between cloud-hosted applications and local software as well as the drive to increase performance on edge access points to include faster response times to things like AI assistants.

Wi-Fi 7 Isn’t Enough For Future Wireless NeedsWhen the development of Wi-Fi 7 started, the promise of 5G speeds was simply theoretical. We were still struggling with the rollout of LTE and given how problematic 3G was before it Wi-Fi just made sense. Fast forward to the modern wireless era and you find that 5G connectivity is not only more stable but, in many cases, much faster than the networks you can connect to a the local coffee shop. Add in the protection mechanisms inherent in cellular technology and it appears to be a significantly better user experience.

Users have also changed the way they do work. Before the pandemic the majority of work was done with applications that connected to internal resources at a company office. You needed private wireless connectivity to access important resources. The cloud was making changes but users still felt comfortable working at their desks. Five years later and most work is done through applications that connect to cloud resources. There isn’t as much of a need to go to the office, and that’s if you even still have one. Users don’t need fast enterprise connectivity. They just need to get to the cloud somehow.

The third major factor in the lack of performance for Wi-Fi 7 is the rise of more intensive applications. Modern AI development sees a significant push to have processing done centrally and algorithms being run on the edge. We need to have more powerful devices on the edge to take advantage of those capabilities, but the trend previously in development was to use more modest devices to meet power budgets for edge switches to deliver standard power capabilities. While power standards have increased to allow for more powerful capabilities the older style of thinking still persists.

This episode debates these topics as well as others to help you understand what the current state of Wi-Fi 7 is and how it will help you and your users with their connectivity needs.

Podcast Information:Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website.

Ron Westfall is The Research Director at The Futurum Group specializing in Digital Transformation, 5G, AI, Security, Cloud Computing, IoT and Data Center as well as the host of 5G Factor Webcast. You can connect with Ron on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter and see his work on The Futurum Group’s website.

Rocky Gregory is a Technical Leader in mobility and Wi-Fi and a long time Field Day Delegate. You can connect with Rocky on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter and learn more on his website.

Drew Lentz is the Co-Founder of Frontera Consulting and the host of Waves Podcast. You can connect with Drew on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter and learn more on his website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode. Please do give us a rating and a review, it helps with discoverability. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group. For upcoming events and more episodes, head to the Tech Field Day website.

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In our AI-dominated world, data quality is the key to building useful tools. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast features Drew Clarke from Qlik discussing best practiced for integrating data sources with AI models with Joey D’Antoni, Gina Rosenthal, and Stephen Foskett before Qlik Connect in Orlando. Although there is a lot of hype about AI in industry, companies are realizing the risks of generative AI and large language models as well. Solid data practices in terms of data hygiene, proven data models, business intelligence, and flows can ensure that the output of an AI application is correct. The proliferation of Generative AI is also causing a rapid increase in the cost and environmental impact IT systems and this will impact the success of this technology. Good data practices can help, allowing a lighter and less expensive LLM to produce quality results. The Tech Field Day delegates will learn more about these topics at Qlik Connect in Orlando, and we will be recording and sharing content as well.

As AI technologies like generative AI and large language models continue to appear, the foundation upon which these technologies are built – data – becomes the linchpin of their success. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast features a discussion with Drew Clarke from Qlik, alongside industry experts Joey D’Antoni, Gina Rosenthal, and Stephen Foskett. Ahead of Qlik Connect in Orlando, the panel discussed the best practices for integrating data sources with AI models, underlining the importance of data quality in an AI-dominated world.

The proliferation of AI technologies has brought with it an increased awareness of the potential risks associated with generative AI and LLMs. As companies venture into the realm of AI, the realization that not all AI is capable of delivering accurate or useful outcomes has become apparent. This acknowledgment has brought traditional data practices such as data hygiene, data quality, proven data models, business intelligence, and data flows into the spotlight. These practices ensure that the output of an AI application is correct and reliable.

One of the critical challenges is the integration of data into LLMs and small language models. We consider metadata, data security, and the implications of regulations like GDPR and the California Data Privacy Act on data integration with AI models. It is critical to consider data privacy and to avoid exposing private data as companies integrating data into their AI models.

We should also consider societal and environmental impacts of the rapid increase in the use of AI as well as the cost of inferencing. The environmental footprint of data centers, driven by the energy and water consumption required to support AI computations, is a particular area of concern. This underscores the need for good data practices that not only ensure the quality of AI outputs but also contribute to the sustainability of AI technologies.

Data is a key product in an AI world, and we must treat data with the same care and consideration as we do in conventional applications. This involves curating, managing, and continuously improving data to ensure its quality and relevance. Data engineers and business analysts play a key role in enhancing productivity and effectiveness of AI capabilities.

This discussion is a reminder of the critical importance of data quality in the age of AI. As companies navigate the complexities of integrating AI into their operations, the foundational principles of data hygiene, data quality, and proven data models remain as relevant as ever. We look forward to discussing these themes at Qlik Connect in June, and invite our audience to attend the event!

Visit the Qlik Connect official website for more information and registration.

Podcast Information: Stephen Foskett is the Organizer of the Tech Field Day Event Series, now part of The Futurum Group. Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

Gina Rosenthal, Founder and CEO of Digital Sunshine Solutions. You can connect with Gina on LinkedIn and listen to her podcast, The Tech Aunties Podcast. Learn more on her website.

Joey D’Antoni is a Principal Consultant at Denny Cherry & Associates Consulting. You can connect with Joey on LinkedIn, on Mastodon, and on X/Twitter or read more about him and his work on his website.

Drew Clarke is the General Manager & EVP of the Data Business Unit at Qlik. You can connect with Drew on LinkedIn and learn more about Qlik by visiting their website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode. Please do give us a rating and a review, it helps with discoverability. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group. For upcoming events and more episodes, head to the Tech Field Day website.

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Modern applications are widely deployed in the cloud, but they’re coming at the edge as well. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast features Alastair Cooke and Paul Nashawaty from The Futurum Group, Erik Nordmark from ZEDEDA, and host Stephen Foskett discussing the intersection of application modernization and edge computing. As enterprises look to deploy more applications at the edge they are leveraging technologies like Kubernetes and containers to enable portability, scalability, resilience, and high availability. In many cases customers are moving existing web applications to the edge to improve performance and security, but not all webscale technologies are appropriate on the limited hardware, environmentals, and connectivity found at the edge. The question is whether to improve the edge compute platform or build resiliency into the application itself. But there are limits to this approach, since edge locations don’t have the elasticity of the cloud and many of the features of Kubernetes were not designed for limited resources. It comes down to developer expectations, since they are now accustomed to the experience of modern webscale platforms and expect this environment everywhere. In the future, we expect WASM, LLMs, and more to be used regardless of location.

The modernization of applications, from datacenter to cloud to edge, is rapidly progressing. Technologies drawn from the hyperscale world are finding their way to edge locations, where data processing and analysis occur closer to the source of data and customer transactions. This shift is driven by the need for real-time processing, reduced latency, and enhanced security, and technologies like Kubernetes and containers are increasingly used to facilitate this transition.

The Benefits of Containerized Applications at the EdgeContainerization offers many benefits essential for modern applications, especially those deployed at the edge. It provides a level of portability that allows applications to be easily moved and managed across different environments, from the cloud to the edge, without the need for extensive reconfiguration or adaptation. This is particularly important given the diverse and often resource-constrained nature of edge environments, which can vary greatly in terms of hardware, connectivity, and operational conditions.

Scalability is another critical aspect of containerization that aligns well with the needs of edge computing. Containers enable applications to be decomposed into microservices, allowing for more granular scaling and management. This microservices architecture facilitates the efficient use of resources, enabling applications to scale up or down based on demand, which is particularly useful in edge environments, again in the face of resource constraints.

Resilience and high availability are further enhanced through containerization. By deploying applications as a set of interdependent but isolated containers, developers can achieve a level of redundancy and fault tolerance that is difficult to achieve with monolithic architectures. This is crucial at the edge, where the risk of hardware failure, network disruptions, and other environmental factors can pose significant challenges to application availability and reliability.

The security benefits of containerization should not be overlooked in the context of edge computing either. Containers provide a level of isolation that helps mitigate the risk of cross-application interference and potential security breaches. This isolation is complemented by the ability to apply granular security policies at the container level, enhancing the overall security posture of edge deployments. And containerized applications are easier to keep up to date as security patches are developed.

Challenges for Modern Applications at the EdgeDespite these advantages, the deployment of containerized applications at the edge is not without its challenges. The resource limitations of edge environments, including constraints on compute power, storage, and network bandwidth, require careful consideration of the containerization strategy employed. Additionally, the management and orchestration of containers at the edge introduce complexity, particularly in highly distributed environments with potentially thousands of edge locations.

The choice between improving the edge compute platform to better support containerization and building resilience into the application itself is a critical decision. While enhancing the edge platform can provide a more robust foundation for containerized applications, it may require significant financial and technological investment. Although designing applications with inherent resilience and adaptability can offer a more immediate solution, these may not achieve all of the benefits of containerization.

The expectations of developers, accustomed to the rich features and flexibility of modern cloud-native platforms, also play a significant role in the adoption of containerization at the edge. Developers seek environments that offer the same level of agility, ease of use, and comprehensive tooling they are familiar with in the cloud, driving the demand for containerization technologies that can replicate this experience at the edge.

Looking forward, the evolution of containerization at the edge is likely to be influenced by emerging technologies such as WebAssembly (WASM) and large language models (LLMs). WASM promises to enhance the portability and efficiency of applications across diverse computing environments, including the edge, by enabling more lightweight and adaptable application architectures. The integration of AI and machine learning capabilities, particularly for processing and analyzing data at the edge, will further drive the modernization of applications in these distributed environments.

Containerization and the EdgeContainerization is a fundamental enabler for the modernization of applications in the cloud, and this is true at the edge as well. It offers the portability, scalability, resilience, and security necessary to address the unique challenges of edge computing, while also meeting the expectations of developers for a modern application development environment. As enterprises continue to push the boundaries of what is possible at the edge, containerization will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of edge computing, driving innovation and enabling new levels of performance and efficiency.

Podcast Information: Stephen Foskett is the Organizer of the Tech Field Day Event Series, now part of The Futurum Group. Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

Alastair Cooke is a CTO Advisor at The Futurum Group. You can connect with Alastair on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and you can read more of his research notes and insights on The Futurum Group’s website.

Paul Nashawaty is a Practice Lead focused on Application Development Modernization at The Futurum Group. You can connect with Paul on LinkedIn and learn more about his research and analysis on The Futurum Group’s website.

Erik Nordmark is the CTO and Co-founder at ZEDEDA. You can connect with Erik on LinkedIn and learn more about ZEDEDA on their website.

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Security audits are painful and often required for compliance but they aren’t adversarial unless you have a bad auditor or bad policy compliance. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth sits down with Teren Bryson, Skye Fugate, and Ben Story to discuss the nuances of audits. The panel discusses the discovery of technical debt, external versus internal auditing, the need for flexibility in procedures. and how good auditors can make for a more positive outcomes.

Thorough audits will uncover issues with compliance as well as technical debt. This could include older devices that should have been replaced at the end of their life. It could also find code versions that are vulnerable to exploits and could lead to more issues. While operations teams don’t like being told things aren’t as they should be it’s better to know about those problems early before they get out of control.

It is also important to understand that there are different reasons to have an audit. The most common perception is that external organizations are auditing your enterprise to comply with their polices and procedures, such as a partnership or acquisition. However, internal audits carried out by third parties to verify compliance with your own polices are much more frequent. How can you ensure that you are doing what you say you’re doing if you don’t have someone else take a look at your polices to ensure they’re being followed? This is also the place where you find issues with user compliance, such as executives that believe the rules don’t apply to them.

A good auditor can make the difference in your audit experience. The best auditors are knowledgeable in the subject area and understand what is needed for compliance. They also ensure that you have time to remediate the issues. A bad auditor is one that only follows the strict procedures and doesn’t understand the nuance in auditing. They are often perceived as adversarial and cause IT teams to dread audits.

If you want to have a good audit experience you should keep two things in mind. The first is that you should assume that it will be a positive experience. The auditors are doing a job and they aren’t trying to hurt you or your company. The second thing to keep in mind is to answer the questions asked without volunteering information. You can innocently offer additional information to a question that leads to a negative experience because it forces the auditor to uncover things they weren’t originally tasked to find.

Podcast Information: Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website.

Ben Story is a Network and Cybersecurity Engineer and Field Day veteran. You can connect with Ben on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and read more on his personal website.

Skye Fugate is a dedicated cybersecurity expert. You can connect with Skye on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and learn more about his work on his website.

Teren Bryson is a Director of Engineering and Operations. You can connect with Teren on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. Learn more about Teren on his website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode. Please do give us a rating and a review, it helps with discoverability. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group. For upcoming events and more episodes, head to the Tech Field Day website.

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Recent advances in AI for IT have shown the huge potential for changing the way that we do work. However, AI can’t replace everyone in the workforce. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Rita Younger, Josh Warcop, and Rob Coote as they look at how the hype surrounding AI must inevitably be reconciled with the reality of real people doing work. They discuss the way that AI is judged for its mistakes versus a human as well as how marketing is pushing software as the solution to all our staffing ills.

AI will change the way that IT teams configure and manage their systems but it will take time for those teams to integrate into their current workflows and assure everyone it is a boon. This episode features Rita Younger, Joshua Warcop, and Rob Coote talking to Tom Hollingsworth about how much AI has already changed and how far it has to go in order to be a fully featured solution. They discuss not only the gaps in AI but the gaps that knowledge workers embody today.

While AI is drawing from a depth of knowledge that encompasses documentation and best practices, it is not a perfect solution today. There is nuance in the discussion that comes from years of experience in a given discipline. People learn from their mistakes and we expect them to make those mistakes in their growth as a worker. When AI makes mistakes we are immediately skeptical and racing to find a way to prevent it from ever happening again. Should AI be given the same grace that we extend to people?

Another part of this discussion highlights how AI is touted to replace so many things in IT yet we’ve heard this hype before and yet no one has been completely put out of work. Every technology eventually finds a niche to fill and performs to capabilities instead of the overinflated promise that was used to market it. As a technology matures, operations and design teams find the optimal way to use any solution instead of accepting the idea that it will replace everything.

The discussion wraps up with ideas from the panel about what questions you should be asking today when it comes to AI. The reality is that we will need to incorporate this technology into our workflows but we need to verify that it’s going to be a help as we train it to do the things we want it to do for us.

Podcast Information:Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website.

Josh Warcop is a Cloud Innovation Architect. You can connect with Josh on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter and learn more about him on his website.

Rita Younger is a Practice Lead of Data Center Networking at World Wide Technology. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and read more on her website.

Rob Coote is a Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Director. You can connect with Rob on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and learn more on his website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode. Please do give us a rating and a review, it helps with discoverability. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group. For upcoming events and more episodes, head to the Tech Field Day website.

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Cyber Resiliency is a term that encompasses much more than simply protecting data. This episode features Tom Hollingsworth joined by Krista Macomber and Max Mortillaro discussing the additional features in a cyber resiliency solution and the need to understand how data needs to be safeguarded from destruction or exploitation. The episode highlights the shift from reactive to proactive measures as well as the additional integrations that are needed between development, deployment, and operations teams to ensure success.

The panel talks about how backup and recovery have always been seen as reactive measure to disaster and not an integrated piece of a more proactive solution for other outage causes. Only when security incidents became more impactful and caused more data loss or theft did the need arise for more protective measures, such as entropy detection of data corruption or immutability of stored copies.

However, truly resilient solutions need more than just technical features. Other necessary pieces like policy-based enforcement of data retention and recovery objectives are crucial. So too is the need for security measures that prevent critical system processes from being exploited to achieve attacker goals. Operations teams must be involved in the entire process to keep users online with clean data while also allowing incident response teams to investigate and eliminate points of intrusion and data corruption and loss.

The episode wraps up with important questions that need to be answered when investigating solutions. Just because someone tells you that it’s resilient should you believe their claims. By asking good questions about the capabilities of the system in the investigation phase, you should find yourself with a usable system to prevent data loss and ensure business continuity in the future.

Podcast Information: Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website.

Krista Macomber is a Research Director at The Futurum Group. You can connect with Krista on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter and read more of her research and insights on The Futurum Group’s website.

Max Mortillaro is an Industry Analyst & Partner at TECHunplugged. You can connect with Max on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter and learn more on the TECHunplugged website and blog.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode. Please do give us a rating and a review, it helps with discoverability. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group. For upcoming events and more episodes, head to the Tech Field Day website.

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There is a hazardous amount of AI-generated and SEO-oriented content being generated, and the solution is real stories from real communities. In the first episode of Tech Field Podcast, recorded on-site at AI Field Day, Stephen Foskett chats with Frederic Van Haren, Gina Rosenthal and Colleen Coll about confronting inauthentic content. The internet is inundated with low-quality, AI-generated, and SEO-driven content, and the antidote is the cultivation of real, credible voices within the tech community. The discussion focuses on the importance of community-driven content and the credibility of individual voices in an era dominated by content optimized for algorithms rather than human engagement. The rise of generative AI in content creation and consumption is accelerating, and we must all find a balance between technological advancements and human insight. This is the essence of the Tech Field Day experience, which fosters meaningful dialogue among tech professionals and companies in the industry. For fifteen years Tech Field Day has highlighted the critical role of human connection and credible voices in navigating the digital information landscape, and this re-launched podcast is part of that continuing effort.

The entire internet is saturated with AI-generated content and SEO-driven articles, and tech media is no exception. Gestalt IT was founded to highlight the value of genuine community engagement and the power of independent voices. That’s why we started Tech Field Day in 2009, to give these independent technical experts a platform to learn, share, and explore enterprise IT. Today we are re-launching the Tech Field Day podcast to return to this foundational ethos but also rise to the challenge to provide credible, human-centered narratives in tech media.

The internet is the foundation for our industry, but this same technology threatens to undermine the fabric of genuine voices. The proliferation of content optimized for algorithms rather than humans has diluted the quality of information, leaving readers navigating a maze of inauthenticity and downright falsehood. That’s why community-driven content and the credibility of individual voices is so important. It’s a challenge that the Tech Field Day podcast is being re-launched to address head-on.

Tech Field Day is designed to be an environment where technology professionals and companies can engage in meaningful dialogue. This engagement is built on their authentic voices, and we have always tried to bring a diverse array of insights and experiences to the table. Like the event series, this podcast is designed to serve as a platform for these voices to cut through the noise of generative AI and SEO manipulation, offering perspectives rooted in real-world experiences and knowledge.

This first episode focuses on AI’s impact on society and the authenticity crisis in content creation. How can we build human connection when so much is automated? And yet we are not anti-AI: The challenge is how to leverage its capabilities while always ensuring that it complements rather than replaces our authentic voices. We are reminded of the importance of critical thinking and the value of community in navigating the flood of information. We need to find a balance between technological advancement and maintaining the integrity of human expression.

Inauthentic content can never match the feeling of a real discussion among passionate and knowledgeable experts. Tech Field Day is dedicated to fostering open discussion and we urge the tech community to rally around the principles of authenticity and credibility. SEO-optimized spam can never drown out real people as long as we keep questioning, discussing, and sharing. And we must embrace the changing social media landscape to help bring these conversations to the world through Tech Field Day events, this podcast, and our individual platforms.

Podcast Information: Stephen Foskett is the Organizer of the Tech Field Day Event Series, now part of The Futurum Group. Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

Frederic Van Haren is the CTO and Founder at HighFens Inc., Consultancy & Services. Connect with Frederic on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and check out the HighFens website.

Gina Rosenthal, Founder and CEO of Digital Sunshine Solutions. You can connect with Gina on LinkedIn and listen to her podcast, The Tech Aunties Podcast. Learn more on her website.

Colleen Coll specializes in Global Events Management and Digital Media Operations. You can connect with Colleen on Linkedin or on X/Twitter and learn more about her on her website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode. Please do give us a rating and a review, it helps with discoverability. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group. For upcoming events and more episodes, head to the Tech Field Day website.

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We are once again returning to the Tech Field Day name for our weekly podcast. In this episode, Stephen Foskett and Tom Hollingsworth delve into the history of the podcast, how it came to prominence and what sets it apart from other technical podcasts. We also discuss why each episode has a premise and why the name has been the On-Premise IT Podcast for so long.

Why Now?We’re changing things up around here! Don’t worry, the only thing that is going to be different is the name of the podcast. We’re going back to the old name of Tech Field Day Podcast as a way to highlight what makes the podcast unique in the industry. Long time listeners of the show may remember it used to be the Gestalt IT Tech Field Day Roundtable over a decade ago.

Since then we’ve changed a lot about the format and content. Since 2017 we’ve been known as the On-Premise IT Podcast. It focuses on a specific topic, a premise if you will, each episode and features 3-4 Tech Field Day delegates as guests. We’ve posted 322 episodes in the past seven years talking about all aspects of enterprise technology both new and old. We’ve even focused on some non-tech issues like burnout and career growth. It’s all been for the betterment of the community at large as we bring you the opinions and perspectives of a group of experts in the enterprise IT space.

We wanted to make sure to highlight the relationship between Tech Field Day and the podcast as we move forward. The delegates at a Field Day event represent the critical voice of the practitioner and give the episodes a sense of grounded realism. This isn’t a marketing exercise or wishful thinking. These are the people that do the things and tell everyone what works and what doesn’t. They are the ones qualified to inform decision makers about the promise as well as the pitfalls.

Future episodes of our podcast will appear on the Tech Field Day site as well as through Spotify for Podcasters. We will still publish our new episodes every Tuesday so make sure you subscribe in your favorite podcatcher so you don’t miss a single premise that our wonderful delegates come up with each episode. Don’t forget to leave comments on the episodes so we know what you think. You can also leave a rating or a review in your podcatcher for others to discover the Tech Field Day Podcast.

Podcast Information: Stephen Foskett is the Publisher of Gestalt IT and Organizer of Tech Field Day, now part of The Futurum Group. Find Stephen’s writing at Gestalt IT and connect with him on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast. If you enjoyed the discussion, please remember to subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast application so you don’t miss an episode. Please do give us a rating and a review, it helps with discoverability. This podcast was brought to you by Tech Field Day, home of IT experts from across the enterprise, now part of The Futurum Group. For upcoming events and more episodes, head to the Tech Field Day website.

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Hammerspace unveiled a new storage architecture called Hyperscale NAS that addresses the needs of AI and GPU computing. This episode of the On-Premise IT podcast, sponsored by Hammerspace, is focused on the extreme requirements of high-performance multi-node computing. Eric Bassier of Hammerspace joins Chris Grundemann, Frederic Van Haren, and Stephen Foskett to consider the characteristics that define this new storage architecture. Hammerspace leverages parallel NFS and flexible file layout (FlexFiles) within the NFS protocol to deliver unprecedented scalability and performance. AI training requires scalability, performance, and low latency but also flexible and robust data management, which makes Hyperscale NAS extremely attractive. Now that the Linux kernel includes NFS v4.2, the Hammerspace Hyperscale NAS system works out of the box with standards-based clients rather than requiring a proprietary client. Hammerspace is currently deployed in massive hyperscale datacenters and is used in some of the largest AI training scenarios.

Combining Simplicity with Speed, with the New Hammerspace Hyperscale NAS ArchitectureData is the new currency of the modern economy. It has opened huge opportunities to drive trailblazing technologies like AI and machine learning deep into businesses and industries. But as storage systems lay jammed with volumes of unstructured data, legacy solutions are under threat. Data overabundance can easily overwhelm and disrupt these known storage solutions, leaving organizations at risk of being outperformed by their rivals.

This episode of On-Premise IT Podcast brought to you by Hammerspace, explores the reasons why the new data cycle requires next-generation storage systems. Eric Bassier, Sr Director of Solution Marketing for Hammerspace, talks about a new NAS architecture that can accommodate all the data that’s heading enterprises’ way, and do it at the speed require for AI training.

A Change Is in Order“AI is forcing a reckoning in the industry that’s probably long overdue, to change how data is used and preserved,” comments Bassier.

Bassier puts storage systems into two main categories – the traditional scale-out network-attached storage (NAS), a technology already well-known and widely deployed in organizations, and the relatively new HPC parallel file systems designed exclusively for HPC environments.

“The fact that the HPC file systems have never been widely deployed in the enterprise speaks to a gap there. They don’t have the right feature set, and are too difficult to maintain,” says Bassier.

This is also telling of an uncomfortable truth about NAS systems. “The fact that HPC file systems still exist so predominantly in HPC environments is an admission that scale-out NAS architectures don’t meet their performance demands.”

What fundamentally separates HPC and AI workloads from traditional workloads is the need for speed and performance. GPU farms for AI training require to access data concurrently at high speeds.

A Disruptive Hyperscale NAS ArchitectureHammerspace has a new architecture, the Hyperscale NAS, that supports colossal data capacity and performance demands of GPU farms.

“[ the architecture] largely came out of our work with one of the world’s largest hyperscalers for their large language model training environment. It is a new storage architecture that as more and more enterprises get into AI and drive forward their initiatives, this would be the best storage architecture for large language model training, generative AI training, and other forms of deep learning,” says Bassier.

The unnamed client has a thousand-node Hammerspace storage cluster deployed in their LLM training environment where more than 30,000 GPUs are at work across 4000 server nodes.

“The Hammerspace storage cluster is feeding those GPUs at an aggregate performance of around 100 Terabits per second. It’s 80 to 90% of line rate,” he says.

Performance aside, the reason why the client chose Hyperscale NAS for the job is its standards-based design. Hyperscale NAS is standards-based, meaning it can operate on any commercial off-the-shelf storage server, be it NAS, object or block. One of the major benefits of that is, by just sitting on top of the storage, Hyperscale NAS can accelerate the underlying system without needing a costly upgrade.

“The underpinnings of this architecture have been in Hammerspace since day one.” Bassier points to the origin of the name “Hammerspace” to underline this. A hammerspace, he explains, is an extradimensional space invisible to the eye. Characters in movies and cartoons often use it to store unusually large objects, which they summon in times of need making it looks like they are conjured out of thin air. Think of Hermione Granger’s beaded handbag in Harry Potter, or Mary Poppins’ carpet bag.

Chris Grundemann comments, “Hyperscale NAS appears at first blush to be a representation of that. There’s no proprietary client software needed. It just works as a NAS but in a really new way, to support these crazy GPU workloads in AI.”

So, why did Hammerspace wait so long to introduce it? “We are bringing it to market now because of everything we’ve learned, where we’ve now proven this architecture at hyperscale,” says Bassier.

The paradigm is fast evolving. HPC and AI/ML workloads are going to be pervasive across organizations, and they will need a new NAS architecture that provides both the performance of HPC file systems with the right feature set, and the standards-based simplicity of Network File System (NFS).

Tying Together the Best of Both SolutionsIn a scale-out NAS architecture, data has to make multiple network hops between the client and server. The more the hops, the higher the latency of transmission. The Hyperscale NAS architecture opens a direct data path between the two points, reducing the number of transmissions and retransmissions. The result is lower latency and faster throughput.

Metadata is dealt out-of-band. “We offload a lot of the metadata operations to a separate path so we can streamline it.”

Hyperscale NAS detaches data from metadata, putting them into two separate planes – the data plane and the control plane. The metadata resides inside the metadata service nodes which are essentially queryable databases.

This ties into another key aspect of the Hyperscale NAS architecture that Bassier highlights. Oftentimes, file systems are trapped in the storage layer that makes data opaque to the users. This is a barrier to collaboration works.

Hammerspace lifts the file system out of the storage layer and creates a global parallel file system with a single global namespace. Datasets are assimilated from multiple sources across sites and storage silos, and deposited into this file system. With global data orchestration, transparency is ensured for all users.

“Even users that are remote or not co-located with the data are all presented the same files that they’re authorized to see.”

Hyperscale NAS leverages NFS v4.2 client, particularly its two optional capabilities – parallel NFS and FlexFiles. “Hammerspace is the first one to take advantage of those capabilities,” says Bassier.

If Hyperscale NAS sounds a lot like an HPC parallel file system to you, then it is worth nothing that there are significant differences. Where others solutions rely on proprietary file system clients or agents that sit on GPU servers to give them the intelligence, Hammerspace doesn’t, and works with all standards-based clients, he concludes.

To learn more, visit Hammerspace’s website. Also check out Hammerspace’s presentation from the recent AI Field Day event to get a deep dive of the architecture. Other interesting content to check out are Alastair Cooke’s article, and Keith Townsend’s writeup on Hyperscale NAS.

Podcast Information: * Stephen Foskett is the Publisher of Gestalt IT and Organizer of Tech Field Day, now part of The Futurum Group. Find Stephen’s writing at Gestalt IT and connect with him on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. * Frederic Van Haren is the CTO and Founder at HighFens Inc., Consultancy & Services. Connect with Frederic on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and check out the HighFens website. * Chris Grundemann is the Managing Director at Grundemann Technology Solutions. You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter or visit his website to learn more. * Eric Bassier is the Senior Director of Solution Marketing at Hammerspace. You can connect with Eric on LinkedIn and learn more about Hammerspace on their website and by watching their presentations at AI Field Day.

Gestalt IT and Tech Field Day are now part of The Futurum Group.

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The job market is more competitive than ever but the desire to fill network engineering roles is lower than before. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Ryan Lambert, Dakota Snow, and David Varnum for an examination of why network design and implementation isn’t a hot career path. They look at the rise of cloud as a discipline as well as the reduction of complexity in modern roles with help from software an automation shifts. They also discuss how entry level professionals can adjust their thinking to take advantage of open roles on the market.

Podcast Information: * Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website. * Ryan Lambert is an Enterprise Network Architect and first time Field Day Delegate. You can connect with Ryan on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. * Dakota Snow is a Director of Network Operations and Host of The Bearded IT Dad on YouTube. You can connect with Dakota on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and check out his YouTube channel. * David Varnum is a Network and Data Center engineer, consultant, and blogger. You can connect with David on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and learn more by visiting his website.

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Most people envision AI as a cool and orderly datacenter activity, but this technology will soon be everywhere. This episode of the On-Premise IT podcast contrasts the AI-based greenhouses of Nature Fresh Farms, as presented by guest Keith Bradley at AI Field Day, with the massive GPU-bound infrastructure many people imagine. Allyson Klein, Frederic Van Haren, and Stephen Foskett attended AI Field Day and were intrigued by the ways AI can process data from cameras and other sensors in a greenhouse environment.

Podcast Information: * Stephen Foskett is the Publisher of Gestalt IT and Organizer of Tech Field Day, now part of The Futurum Group. Find Stephen’s writing at Gestalt IT and connect with him on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. * Frederic Van Haren is the CTO and Founder at HighFens Inc., Consultancy & Services. Connect with Frederic on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and check out the Highfens website. * Allyson Klein, Global Marketing and Communications Leader and Founder of The Tech Arena. You can connect with Allyson on Twitter or LinkedIn. Find out more information on the Tech Arena website. * Keith Bradley is the Vice President of Information Technology at Nature Fresh Farms. You can connect with Keith on LinkedIn, learn more about Nature Fresh Farms on their website, and catch Keith’s presentation with Intel at AI Field Day.

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The development of AI networking is moving forward and Ethernet is taking a prime role in how workloads will communicate. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Drew Conry-Murray and Jordan Martin as well as J Metz, the chair of the Ultra Ethernet Consortium, to discuss the progress being made by the UEC to develop Ethernet to meet the needs of AI. They discuss the roadmap for adoption of technologies as well as the drivers for the additions to the protocol and how people can get involved.

Podcast Information:* Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website. * J Metz is the Chair of both the Ultra Ethernet Consortium and SNIA, as well as a Technical Director at AMD. You can connect with J on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. Learn more about The Ultra Ethernet Consortium on their website. Learn more about SNIA on their website. Learn more about AMD’s AI efforts here. * Jordan Martin is the Principal Solutions Architect at World Wide Technologies. You can connect with Jordan on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. * Drew Conry-Murray is the Content Director over at Packet Pushers. You can connect with Drew on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and find more on what Drew is doing over at Packet Pushers.

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Generative AI is becoming a key tool for software developers, and businesses are embracing it as well. This episode of the On-Premise IT podcast brings Paul Nashawaty of The Futurum Group, data expert Karen Lopez, and Stephen Foskett together to discuss how AI is impacting application development. Generative AI is incredibly compelling, rapidly producing credible output. that it’s hard to put a stop to it. Rather than trying to stand in the way, companies are looking for better quality tools, with data privacy and compliance capabilities to fend off the negatives that can arise from AI-generated content. AI can also help with tasks like documentation and testing that are less popular and more problematic, and these can improve overall code quality as well.

Podcast Information:* Stephen Foskett is the Publisher of Gestalt IT and Organizer of Tech Field Day, now part of The Futurum Group. Find Stephen’s writing at Gestalt IT and connect with him on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. * Paul Nashawaty is a Practice Lead focused on Application Development Modernization at The Futurum Group. You can connect with Paul on LinkedIn and learn more about his research and analysis on The Futurum Group’s website. * Karen Lopez is a Data Expert and Data Management Specialist. You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter and learn more on her website.

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Modern workloads are overloading hardware systems, and the CPUs in the market today aren’t up to the task. In this episode of On-Premise IT Podcast recorded on the premises of the Cloud Field Day event in California, host Stephen Foskett is joined by Thomas LaRock, Shala Warner, and Jim Czuprynski from the IT world, to talk about innovation in hardware. The discussion addresses the burning question of whether investing in more specialized hardware will solve the problem. Hear the panel explain how hardware innovation is intertwined with software innovation, and how the two components come together to power cutting-edge workloads.

Podcast Information: * Stephen Foskett is the Publisher of Gestalt IT and Organizer of Tech Field Day, now part of The Futurum Group. Find Stephen’s writing at Gestalt IT and connect with him on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter. * Thomas LaRock is a data professional technical advocate who specializes in data science. You can connect with Thomas on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and read more on his website. * Shala Warner is a Cloud Architect and a DevOps Engineer. You can connect with Shala on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and learn more about her on her website. * Jim Czuprynski is the Chief Storyteller at Zero Defect Computing. You can connect with Jim on LinkedIn or on Mastodon and learn more about him on his website.

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The IT world is obsessed with AI but the desire to put AI into every product creates confusion and uncertainty. In this episode of the On-Premise Podcast, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Zoë Rose and Dominik Pickhardt to discuss why everyone is so excited about AI. They also focus on issues with opaque algorithms and how AI can actually be useful in helping professionals with their daily work.

Podcast Information: * Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website. * Zoë Rose is a security team lead specializing in SecOps and cohost of the Imposter Syndrome Network Podcast. You can connect with Zoë on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and listen to the Imposter Syndrome Network Podcast. * Dominik Pickhardt is an InfoSec Architect. You can connect with Dominik on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter, or read more on his website.

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Platform engineering has been happening for a long time, but today’s implication is quite different. This episode of the On-Premise IT podcast brings platform engineering expert Michael Levan, industry analyst Steven Dickens, and host Stephen Foskett to consider what platform engineering is today. Building a platform for self service in the cloud has more in common with product development than the platforms delivered historically by IT infrastructure teams. One of the drivers for the DevOps trend was the divergence of IT development and operations over the last few decades, but this was different in the mainframe world. In many ways, today’s platform engineering teams are more mature process-wise thanks to the demands of multi-tenant cloud applications.

Inside IT’s Hottest Technology Trend, Platform EngineeringThe term “platform engineering” has exploded in IT. Explainers and articles are rife about platform engineering’s boundless implications. Some are defining it as a niche battle, others are calling it the DevOps killer, and some are projecting it as a million-dollar career. Whatever it is, findings show that it is at the peak of the hype cycle, and is settling into a new standard.

In this episode of On-Premise IT podcast, host Stephen Foskett and guests, Steven Dickens, VP and Practice Leader at The Futurum Group, and Michael Levan, Kubernetes and Platform Engineering Specialist, lift the blinds obscuring this new sensation.

Marketing Fluff or an Emerging Trend?The answer lies somewhere in the middle. The proclivity to slap new labels on old things is not new in marketing. The hype about platform engineering is somewhat the same. “We’ve been doing platform engineering for a really long time. It just has a name and a focus point now, but it’s not something that just popped out of nowhere,” says Levan.

Dickens likens it to the role of Mainframe developers. “The Mainframe guys speak in different tongues and worship different gods than the distributed and cloud guys, but if you took away the nomenclatures and actually looked at the job, it would be the same functional work.”

What’s the Hype about?So why it being loved to death now? Because platform engineering does what software delivery processes benefit from most. It drives standardization and automation.

In a way, platform engineering is like the Hibachi experience. At a traditional Hibachi-style Japanese place, diners select their choice of noodles, meat, broth, sauce and toppings from the counter. At the bar, the chefs wield their knives, chopping, grilling, and cooking the ingredients into a hearty bowl of goodness.

Platform engineers do the same thing for the development environment. Platform engineering is the methodology to bring disparate components together into a platform in a way that makes sense, ultimately elevating the developer’s experience. In doing so, it alleviates the challenge of having to constantly worry about the platform.

The modern stack that engineers interface with can be broadly divided into three categories – the platform, the capabilities and the UI. The approach abstracts away complexity at all three levels, making sure that platform users can access the self-service features more easily. Sounds a bit like DevOps, right?

Not a New Name for DevOpsPlatform engineering in the cloud era is a community position, not a technical one, says Levan. It encourages the infrastructure team to step into the developers’ shoes for the first time, and see things their way. “Platform engineering has two primary goals – go into systems thinking about customer service, and have a product mindset. When you combine those two things, your job is literally to help people,” explains Levan.

This is where its likeness with DevOps can be seen. In the 2000s, companies did platform engineering the traditional way – the platform engineers tuned the platform, the developers built the applications. There was no real interaction or exchange between the two workgroups.

But as years passed and new technology approaches came about, thought leaders saw that there is merit in bringing the two departments closer together. In this new culture, platform engineers and developers are to function transparently to improve application delivery. They deduced that overlapping software development with not only infrastructure, but also operations and product management will mature the processes, greatly contributing to the organizational growth and success.

“Platform engineering is all about quality engineering. One of the big reasons why I became self-employed a couple of years ago was because I didn’t want to throw a duct tape in my environments anymore. I’m just really happy that the entire tech community is seeing the same thing now,” says Levan.

What is shaping the rising popularity of platform engineering is its maturity. At the core, today it is about creating order in chaos. Amid infinite workflows, tools and technologies, platform engineering fosters a consistent and standard environment that affords developers a predictable experience, and boosts productivity and efficiency, not only by freeing them to do their work, but by also eliminating errors and guesswork that frequently cause bottlenecks and delayed release cycles.

“Focusing on nonfunctional requirements, putting quality code into production and infrastructure mattering again is really key,” says Dickens.

Wrapping UpAs companies rethink their approach to software development, platform engineering shines the spotlight on ways CTOs can close gaps and build bridges between separate teams, and solve bigger problems and eventually achieve shorter time to market.

For more, be sure to give the podcast – Platform Engineering Isn’t Just DevOps Renamed – a listen.

Podcast Information: * Stephen Foskett is the Publisher of Gestalt IT and Organizer of Tech Field Day. Find Stephen’s writing at GestaltIT.com and connect with him on LinkedIn and on Twitter at @SFoskett. * Michael Levan is a Kubernetes and Containers Trainer, Consultant, and Content Creator. You can connect with Michael on LinkedIn or on Twitter. Found out more about Michael on his blog or on his YouTube channel. * Steven Dickens is a VP and Practice Lead at The Futurum Group. You can connect with Steven on X/Twitter or on LinkedIn and listen to his frequent appearances on Infrastructure Matters.

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Now that businesses have deployed modern applications in the cloud they are starting to ask whether it might be more attractive to run these on-premises. This episode of the On-Premise IT podcast features Jason Benedicic, Camberley Bates, and Ian Sanderson discussing the pros and cons of cloud repatriation with Stephen Foskett. A recent blog post by 37 Signals got the Tech Field Day delegates talking about the reality of running modern applications in enterprise-owned clouds, whether in the datacenter or co-located. Certainly the hardware and software are available to move applications on-prem, and some workloads may be better served this way. Most of the necessary components to run modern web applications are available on-prem, from Kubernetes to Postgres to Kafka, but these can prove difficult to manage, which is one of the things as-a-service customers are paying for. Looking back to the debut of OpenStack, enterprises have wanted to run applications in-house but they found it too difficult to manage. OpenShift is much more attractive thanks to the support and integration of the platform, but many customers have financial and administrative reasons for as-a-service deployment. It might not be a mass exodus, but there are plenty of examples of repatriation of modern applications.

Why Companies Are Moving Off of the Public CloudA new trend coming out of the enterprise IT industry is cloud repatriation. The chatter picked up when 37signals, a SaaS project management company, publicly announced that it saved $1 million by pulling apps away from public cloud. According to CTO, David Heinemeier Hansson, repatriation has shrunken the company’s cloud spend by 60%, and is projected to save an estimated $10 million over the next five years.

And theirs’ is not an isolated case. Skyrocketing costs of data and storage in the cloud have caused a lot of companies to pull away and migrate back to on premise datacenters in the last few years. Seagate has built its own platform to deploy web applications that runs in their private datacenter on owned hardware. More recently, LinkedIn has called off plans to move workloads from on-site to Azure Cloud.

So are companies really abandoning their cloud computing dreams and hauling wares back to where they started? At the recent On-Premise IT Podcast, host Stephen Foskett addressed this question that’s lately been the talk of Silicon Valley.

Public Cloud Offerings Come at a PremiumWhen considering relocating technology, the reasonings fall into two main buckets – cost and control. “As we went into 2024, a lot of very large enterprises are concerned about costs. So there is this ongoing effort for cost management, and what is happening is a recalculation or reevaluation of where the workloads are to be placed and why. That workload rationalization has been going on for some time,” notes Camberley Bates, VP Practice Lead at The Futurum Group.

Enterprises’ rationale behind migrating to cloud was to reduce OpEx. The cloud offered an attractive answer to the surging cost problem in on-premise datacenters. The promise however soured as companies started to struggle with cost blowouts. Despite adapting their operating principles and practices to rein in the spendings, an optimized cloud value has remained unrealized.

After expending a notably large amount of time and resources to get to cloud, when a company decides to withdraw, it reflects as poor planning. Much like in all financial decisions, the sunk-cost fallacy creeps in. And to keep the cloud obsession going, hyperscalers hook users in with free credits that give them a free pass to start down the road.

From Managed Cloud to a Private InfrastructureSpurred by dependency fear and cost and ownership concerns, many big enterprises have started bringing selected applications on-site as part of their workload placement strategy.

“A few years ago, it was a cloud-first mentality which we’re moving away from today with the hybrid approach, but it’s a very interesting marketplace in terms of options of where you can repatriate to in terms of the software stack,” says Ian Sanderson, Product Manager.

One of the things that makes the argument of going back on-premises seem valid today is the evolution of datacenter computing. “Since the cloud came about, we’ve seen a lot of step change in on-premise compute. We have gone from average systems of 4 cores to up to systems with 64 cores. So you could pack a lot of compute into a small space at a small cost,” points out Jason Benedicic, independent consultant.

A growing technology ecosystem is making shifting applications possible. “There’s a lot more off-the-shelf products for running clouds. Kubernetes and containers have come a long way. So the skill ramp-up needed to build and run your own modern application stack is lessened – I don’t think it’s completely removed, it’s not as easy as virtualization is – but there’s a lower barrier to entry. There’s a cheaper, more dense hardware aspect and those come together to make repatriation a possibility,” he adds.

The Uncomfortable TruthAlthough technological advances lend users freedom to place their workload anywhere that offers maximum cost, performance and security payoffs, lifting and shifting too has its trade-offs. The cloud has monopoly over a few things that enterprises can’t pass up on, especially with the wide-spread adoption of AI. For one, on-premise infrastructures can barely match the agility, speed and iteration of public cloud.

“If you run a startup business with a couple of DevOps engineers and a fairly small team, it is going to be a daunting proposition to run all of it yourself. It’s possible, but the question is, what are the hidden costs and where do they lie,” cautions Benedicic.

But, increasingly, data costs in the cloud are driving companies to rethink the strategy. “Talking about the issue of cost analysis, we’ve seen a decline in the cost of server instances. We have not seen that same kind of cost basis on the data side,” notes Bates.

An Emerging EcosystemThankfully, modern containerized applications have some amount of portability built in. “With serverless stuff, there’s some level of interoperability but there are not a huge number of serverless platforms out there that are mainstream,” Benedicic says.

Companies like Red Hat and IBM have solutions that make quick work of installing on-prem environments. The rise of OpenShift has been game changing in the way people think about running private cloud. Red Hat OpenShift is an open-source container application platform. The on-premise PaaS flavor is self-managed and comes with on-prem support for maximum ease.

Red Hat is one of the companies that is building a full suite of tools that work together to make the transition easier. Things like deployment blueprints that serve as guides are extremely helpful to get users started.

Wrapping UpWorkload repatriation need not be a binary decision. In many big enterprises, cloud repatriation may have taken off, but it is not a quit-the-cloud movement that it has been made out to be. Amid an economic downturn, companies are trying to tighten their budget and deciding where a workload best resides is the cornerstone of that. A hybrid placement approach will ensure a more natural distribution of workloads across cloud and datacenters than we have seen before.

For more, be sure to check out the On-Premise IT Podcast episode – Cloud Repatriation Is Really Happening – to follow the discussion.

Podcast Information* Stephen Foskett is the Publisher of Gestalt IT and Organizer of Tech Field Day. Find Stephen’s writing at GestaltIT.com and connect with him on LinkedIn and on Twitter at @SFoskett. * Camberley Bates is the VP and Practice Lead at The Futurum Group. You can connect with Camberley on LinkedIn and her podcast Infrastructure Matters through The Futurum Group. * Jason Benedicic is an expert in Kubernetes and Cloud Native Platform Engineering. You can connect with Jason on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter or read more on his blog. * Ian Sanderson is the Product Manager – Data Protection at 11:11 Systems. You can connect with Ian on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter and read more on his website.

Read more about Cloud Repatriation and what some possibilities are: Our cloud exit has already yielded $1m/year in savings

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InfiniBand is the king of AI networking today. Ethernet is making a big leap to take some of that market share but it’s not going to dethrone the incumbent any time soon. In this episode, join Jody Lemoine, David Peñaloza, and Chris Grundemann along with Tom Hollingsworth as they debate the merits of using Ethernet in place of InfiniBand. They discuss the paradigm shift as well as the suitability of the protocols to the workloads as well as how Ultra Ethernet is similar to another shift in converged protocols – Fibre Channel over Ethernet.

Podcast Information Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website. * Chris Grundemann is the Managing Director at Grundemann Technology Solutions. You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter or visit his website to learn more. * Jody Lemoine, Administrative Officer at Canadian Forces – Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC). You can connect with Jody on LinkedIn and on Twitter. * David Peñ*aloza is a Principal Engineer at Verizon Enterprise Solutions. You can connect with David on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter or read more on his website.

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AI is going to accelerate development of malware everywhere from code to prompts for social engineering. But tools can be used for defense as well as offense. In this episode of the On-Premise IT Podcast, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Girard Kavalines, Ziv Levy, and Matt Tyrer as they debate the impact that AI will have on malware development in 2024 and beyond. Hear how AI can drive automation on both sides of the security spectrum as well as how we can better prepare to face an onslaught of assisted attackers.

Podcast Information* Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website. * Matt Tyrer is the Founder and Chief Analyst at The Competitive Corner. You can connect with Matt on LinkedIn or on Twitter. Visit The Competitive Corner website to learn more about Matt and the company. * Girard Kavelines is the Founder of TechHouse570, VMware vExpert, & Cisco Champion. You can connect with Girard on LinkedIn and X/Twitter and view his blogs on the TechHouse570 website. * Ziv Levy is the founder of Cloudsulting, LLC. You can connect with Ziv on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter and learn more on the Cloudsulting website.

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IT security policies are aspirational goals because they have so many exceptions. The difference between being hacked and being safe could come down to one employee. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth sits down with Jasper Bongertz and Brian Knudtson to talk about how security polices are inherently fragile and can cause people to have more faith in them than they should. Also discussed is how people are not always the problem in these situations and how companies can do a better job of crafting documents that reflect real-world applications of protection.

Podcast Information* Tom Hollingsworth, Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website. * Brian Knudtson, multi-disciplinary technologist and freelance writer. You can connect with Brian on LinkedIn or on Mastodon and read more on his work on his blog. * Jasper Bongertz, head of the CSIRT team at G DATA Advanced Analytics. You can connect with Jasper on LinkedIn or on Twitter and read more on his website.

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Users are always going to blame the connectivity medium for issues and we just have to accept it. In this episode, Sam Clements, Troy Martin, and Darrell DeRosia join Tom Hollingsworth to discuss why users are adamant that the wireless is the problem when it’s always something else. They discuss why IT professionals should focus less on blame shifting and more on creating an environment that provides resolution even if it’s not their problem. The episode wraps up with suggestions for professionals to create an environment better suited to meeting user expectations.

Podcast Information* Tom Hollingsworth, Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website. * Sam Clements, Wi-Fi Architect focused on all things that touch mobility solution. You can connect with Sam on LinkedIn and on Twitter and learn more about him on his website. * Troy Martin, Wi-Fi Designer and Wireless Trainer. You can connect with Troy on LinkedIn and X/Twitter or visit his website to learn more. * Darrell DeRosia, Principal Wireless Engineer. You can connect with Darrel on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

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Automation is a very complicated subject that requires a lot of thought and planning before implementation. It’s not something that every organization needs to implement. In this episode, Tim Bertino, Jake Khuon, and Jordan Villarreal discuss the challenges inherent in automation of networks and systems. They also clarify the differences between scripting, orchestration, and real automation. In the end they give tips and questions to ask when you feel like it is time to start your journey toward automation.

Podcast Information* Tom Hollingsworth, Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website. * Tim Bertino, podcast cohost and writer for the Art of Network Engineering Podcast. You can connect with Tim on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter or listen to episodes of the podcast from their website. * Jordan Villarreal, Senior Technical Advocate at NetBox. You can connect with Jordan on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and see his work on NetBox’s website. You can also subscribe to Jordan’s YouTube channel for more. * Jake Khuon, Computer Networking Technologist. You can connect with Jake on LinkedIn.

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Containerization of applications is only a small step forward from virtualization, but WebAssembly promises a real revolution. This episode of the On-Premise IT podcast, recorded live at KubeCon 2023 in Chicago, features Nigel Poulton, Ned Bellavance, Justin Warren, and Stephen Foskett discussing the prospects for WebAssembly. WebAssembly (WASM) is lauded for its potential to be faster, smaller, and more secure than its predecessors. But skepticism surrounds its long-term adoption and development trajectory, with debates centering on whether WASM can achieve the transformative status that containers once held. While WASM applications are technically more portable, smaller, and quicker to start, adoption remains at an early stage, appealing more to developers than operations professionals.

Podcast Information * Stephen Foskett, Publisher of Gestalt IT and Organizer of Tech Field Day. Find Stephen’s writing at GestaltIT.com and on Twitter at @SFoskett. * Ned Bellavance, Technical Educator and Content Creator. You can connect with Ned on LinkedIn and visit his website to find out more about his content. * Justin Warren, Founder and Principal Analyst at PivotNine. You can follow Justin on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and head to PivotNine‘s website to learn more about what he’s working on. * Nigel Poulton, Author and Video Trainer in the Kubernetes and Container space. You can follow Nigel on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and learn more about his book, training and more on his website.

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The concept of identity management has become increasingly complex and challenging due to the purely digital nature of modern identity. This episode of the On-Premise IT podcast, recorded on-premises at ISS in Cleveland, features Bob Kalka of IBM, Leon Adato of Kentik, and Stephen Foskett discussing the various ways identity management tweaks our neuroses. As organizations grapple with this issue, they face the daunting task of merging elements such as identity, passkeys, passwords, and AI in a way that is seamless and less nerve-wracking.

Identity Management is Tweaking our NeurosesThe relevance of identity and self goes beyond what we normally comprehend in our routine lives. Within virtual spaces, identity management becomes even more important because it is disconnected from our physical experience. From the lens of the cybersecurity team, taking control of identity management presents unique challenges as they neither completely own the problem nor the solution. Legacy systems and constantly shifting tools create further hurdles in the management of identity and access permissions, often making it appear more like security theatre.

However, the necessity to ward off unauthorized access necessitates an efficient system of identity management. Many are suggesting that AI can break through these challenges. In particular, AI aids in the detection of identity-related threats by analyzing behavioral patterns. As a result, it helps to deal with the attendant neuroses related to identity management found in many digital users.

The concept of identity management is increasingly being viewed as a fabric of relationships rather than a singular goal. The identity fabric acknowledges the realities of a hybrid world where managing identity across multiple identity providers and directories is an essential function. Passwordless authentication, a user-friendly concept leveraging passkeys, has recently emerged as a popular solution. But the process of identity management does not halt with user access. The backend still necessitates managing identities in multiple locations. Responding to this need, the concept of identity orchestration has emerged as a novel approach in managing identity in varied environments. Taking ownership and addressing these challenges proactively is an essential step in effectively managing identity.

The complexity of digital identity management underlines the necessity for organizations to accept the reality of these management hurdles. Leveraging advancements such as AI to shed light on the issue in a more comprehensive manner is a critical stride towards finding more effective solutions. Recognizing and understanding the shortcomings of these systems is vital in this journey, just as it is crucial to appreciate the potential of AI in steering breakthroughs in the digital identity management space.

Podcast Information* Stephen Foskett is the Publisher of Gestalt IT and Organizer of Tech Field Day. Find Stephen’s writing at GestaltIT.com and connect with him on LinkedIn and on Twitter at @SFoskett. * Leon Adato is the Principle Technical Evangelist at Kentik. You can connect with Leon on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and check out his website and his podcast, Technically Religious. * Bob Kalka is the Global Security Lead at IBM. You can connect with Bob on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and learn more about IBM’s security efforts on their website.

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As ransomware continues to pose a significant threat to enterprises, C-level executives must collaborate and communicate with IT. This episode of the On-Premise IT podcast, brought to you by Commvault and recorded live in New York at their Shift event, features Thomas Bryant of Commvault along with Gina Rosenthal, Eric Wright, and Stephen Foskett. The discussion focused on the crucial need to bridge departmental gaps so IT and executive management can work together. The panel also emphasized the need for openness about risks, lessons from past attacks and the role of government mandates.

Cybersecurity is a C-Suite ProblemRansomware is increasingly becoming a significant issue demanding the attention of C-level executives. As discussed on the On-Premise IT podcast recorded live at Commvault Shift, tackling cyber risks is not just a technical challenge but also one of leadership and governance. Commvault’s focus on cyber resilience brought to light the crucial role of CEO, CIO, and board involvement in addressing such threats. With government mandates pushing for greater accountability within organizations, the responsibility for cybersecurity now extends far beyond the domain of IT and security teams.

A key aspect highlighted throughout the discussion was the importance of collaboration between different departments within an organization such as security, networking, and IT operations. This cross-functional collaboration is seen as a critical factor in addressing cyber threats effectively. To facilitate such collaboration, the democratization of information flow is needed. Breaking down departmental silos and fostering free-flowing communication can aid in the rapid identification, reporting, and addressing of potential threats.

The shifting paradigm within cybersecurity, from solely focusing on prevention to minimizing damage in case of an attack, also came under discussion. The panel recognized that with the evolution and complexity of cyber threats, a strategy focusing only on prevention may be inadequate in protecting assets. This understanding calls for the regular testing and practicing of incident response plans, critical for building “muscle memory” and reducing potential downtime and lost revenue from cyber attacks.

In discussing the SolarWinds case, where the CISO faced criminal prosecution after a cyberattack, the podcast panel underscored the importance of transparency and honesty in cybersecurity. This precedent sets an example for other organizations, emphasizing that surviving an attack should not be a source of shame, but instead, should be an opportunity to learn and enhance security measures. The critical role of government regulations, resulting fines, and the potential incentivization of good cybersecurity practices through monetary means were also discussed as drivers of better cybersecurity practices.

Finally, the panel discussed Commvault’s new platform, marrying expert knowledge with proactive measures such as ransomware assessments to aid organizations in enhancing their cybersecurity practices. This approach signifies the industry’s movement away from its “wizards” culture, acknowledging vulnerabilities, and working towards admitting and addressing challenges. In essence, the cybersecurity landscape is one of shared responsibility, transparency, proactive measures, government backing, and technological advancements.

Podcast Information* Stephen Foskett is the Publisher of Gestalt IT and Organizer of Tech Field Day. Find Stephen’s writing at GestaltIT.com and connect with him on LinkedIn and on Twitter at @SFoskett. * Gina Rosenthal is the Founder and CEO of Digital Sunshine Solutions. You can connect with Gina on LinkedIn and listen to her podcast, The Tech Aunties Podcast. Learn more on her website. * Eric Wright is the Chief Content Officer at GTM Delta and is a podcast host on the Disco Posse Podcast. You can connect with hm on Twitter or LinkedIn and find out more about him on the Disco Posse Podcast website. * Thomas Bryant is the Director of Product Marketing at Commvault. You can connect with Thomas on LinkedIn and learn more about Commvault’s cybersecurity initiatives and more on their website.

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Changing or upgrading hardware and software is a scary proposition on the best of days. In this episode, join Tom Hollingsworth along with Keith Parsons, Mike Bolitho, and Lee Badman as they talk about moving from one vendor to another. There is a lot of planning that goes into the decision to upgrade or replace something. It’s even more frightening when you’re removing one vendor’s equipment for another. Learn what to look for and how to make the transition as easy as possible.

Podcast Information* Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website. * Keith Parsons is the Managing Director at Wireless LAN Professionals Conference and a long time Field Day Delegate. You can connect with Keith on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter, or visit the WLANPros website to learn more. * Lee Badman is a longtime freelance writer and analyst as well as contributed to and written a number of wireless study guides. You can connect with Lee on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter and find his writings on his blog. * Mike Bolitho is a wireless network engineer for a national hospital system. You can connect with Mike on LinkedIn or on X/Twitter.

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Data security is a complicated subject and AI is not a magic solution to fix all of the problems you will face with it. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Richard Kenyan, Matt Tyrer, and Chris Hayner as they discuss how AI has changed the landscape of security. They discuss the challenges of finding the right AI models to replicate how your systems look and behave as well as where there are blind spots with respect to user behaviors. They all talk about the ways that attackers are starting to adjust their tactics to beat systems that can’t anticipate where the attacks will be coming from next.

Podcast Information* Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website. * Matt Tyrer is the Founder and Chief Analyst at The Competitive Corner. You can connect with Matt on LinkedIn or on Twitter. Visit The Competitive Corner website to learn more about Matt and the company. * Richard Kenyan is an Infrastructure Engineer at CUBRC and a co-host of the ITReality Podcast. You can connect with Richard on X/Twitter and on LinkedIn and lookout for his GitHub page. * Chris Hayner is a results-oriented IT professional with expertise in cloud, strategy, modernization, and IT security. You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter

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Tech is a field full of revolutions and Edge is something special. In this episode of the On-Premise IT Podcast, Jim Czuprynski, Gina Rosenthal, and Brian Knudtson give their take on whether or not Edge is a fundamental shift in the status quo or mearly an evolution of other paradigm shifts like Cloud. The panel focuses on the way that Edge strategies are affecting the way we consume content and deploy applications as well as the impacts that Edge has on areas outside of technology.

Podcast Information* Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website. * Jim Czuprynski, Oracle DBA and Oracle ACE Director. You can connect with Jim on LinkedIn and on Mastodon, and learn more about him on his website. * Gina Rosenthal, Founder and CEO of Digital Sunshine Solutions. You can connect with Gina on LinkedIn and listen to her podcast, The Tech Aunties Podcast. Learn more on her website. * Brian Knudtson, multi-disciplinary technologist and freelance writer. You can connect with Brian on LinkedIn or on Mastodon and read more on his work on his blog.

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Software licensing is making networking much more complex and causing networking professionals to be very confused about the state of their discipline. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Nick Buraglio and Lindsay Hill as they discuss the way that software defined networking (SDN) has changed the feature set of network hardware. Also discussed is the shift in focus to developer assets as well as how to recognize revenue from incremental feature additions as well as deployment of resources to appropriate functions in a network software development company.

Podcast Information* Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website. * Nick Buraglio is currently works on the network planning and architecture team for a major international research network. You can connect with Nick on X/Twitter and on LinkedIn and check out his website at the Forwarding Plane. * Lindsay Hill is a networking engineer at a major video game publisher. You can connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter or read more on his Website.

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Hyperscale-inspired technology is everywhere in enterprise IT, from Kubernetes to S3 to OCP, but these technologies may not be applicable. This episode of On-Premise IT features Cloud Field Day 18 delegates Allyson Klein, Eric Wright, and Nathan Bennett discussing the cloud gap with Stephen Foskett. Looking at AI, we see a very different deployment model in hyperscale cloud as opposed to enterprise cloud, with this gap in technology, implementation, and talent widening. One impact of the needs of hyperscalers is an increased focus on sustainability, specifically energy consumption. We should also consider how the hyperscale use case distorts the development of technology, which is obvious in CXL, GPUs, and networking technologies. Looking at Cloud Field Day, we see that many of these companies are attempting to bridge this gap, connecting hyperscale cloud technology to the enterprise. This is what makes the event so interesting!

Podcast Information* Stephen Foskett, Publisher of Gestalt IT and Organizer of Tech Field Day. Find Stephen’s writing at GestaltIT.com and connect with him on LinkedIn and on Twitter at @SFoskett. * Allyson Klein, Global Marketing and Communications Leader and Founder of The Tech Arena. You can connect with Allyson on Twitter or LinkedIn. Find out more information on the Tech Arena website. * Nathan Bennett, Focusing on Cloud, Automation, AI/ML, and Emerging Technologies. Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn or follow him on Twitter at @vNathanBennett. * Eric Wright is the Chief Content Officer at GTM Delta and is a podcast host on the Disco Posse Podcast. You can connect with hm on Twitter or LinkedIn and find out more about him on the Disco Posse Podcast website.

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Backing up data at the edge is fraught with challenges concerning the importance of the data and the limitations of the hardware at your disposal. In this episode of the On-Premise IT Podcast, Jody Lemoine, Ben Young, and Bart Heungens discuss how edge backup differs from traditional enterprise disaster recovery. They highlight the need to identify data retention requirements for edge systems as well as the pitfalls of using cloud solutions versus local options for disconnected devices or lackluster connectivity situations. The discussion wraps up with questions that operations teams should be asking to get in front of these challenges before disaster strikes.

Podcast Information* Tom Hollingsworth is a Networking and Security Specialist at Gestalt IT and Event Lead for Tech Field Day. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Find out more on his blog or on the Tech Field Day website. * Jody Lemoine, Administrative Officer at Canadian Forces – Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC). You can connect with Jody on LinkedIn and on Twitter. * Ben Young, Head of Cloud Products at Softsource vBridge, a cloud service provider in New Zealand and a Veeam Vanguard. You can connect with Ben on LinkedIn or on Twitter and visit his website to find out more. * Bart Heungens is an technology enthusiast, speaker, and trainer. You can connect with Bart on LinkedIn and on X/Twitter and find out more on his website.

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As we’ve discussed all season on Utilizing Edge, innovation is coming from all directions, including hardware, software, and applications. This special crossover episode of the On-Premise IT and Utilizing Tech podcasts features Edge Field Day delegates Brian Knudtson, Ned Bellavance, and Jody Lemoine discussing their perspectives about edge innovation with Stephen Foskett. The primary drivers at the edge are integration, efficiency, and connectivity, as well as the unique needs of the applications there. Starting with hardware, customers are headed in two directions, with more enterprise availability features deployed in some locations and less-capable hardware in others, both in terms of compute and networking. At the software level, most edge infrastructure is hyper-converged, meaning that multiple layers of the stack are integrated in software and managed as one. Although intended as an application platform, Kubernetes is being deployed as a packaging abstraction and distribution solution at the edge.

Podcast Information* Stephen Foskett, Publisher of Gestalt IT and Organizer of Tech Field Day. Find Stephen’s writing at GestaltIT.com and on Twitter at @SFoskett. * Brian Knudtson, multi-disciplinary technologist and freelance writer. You can connect with Brian on LinkedIn or on Mastodon and read more on his work on his blog. * Ned Bellavance, Technical Educator and Content Creator. You can connect with Ned on LinkedIn and visit his website to find out more about his content. * Jody Lemoine, Administrative Officer at Canadian Forces – Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC). You can connect with Jody on LinkedIn and on Twitter.

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Although modern-day storage products let us do more with less, and is more capable than ever before, they are also way more complex, and often unintelligible to the masses. Recorded at the recent Storage Field Day event, in this On-Premise IT podcast, Stephen Foskett asks the attending luminaries from the storage industry to define storage in simple terms. With innovation piling high, storage, in the recent years, has slipped away from the grasps of IT professionals, causing add-on stress and pressure. Storage, as a disciple, has grown so vast, that it is only possible to either be a generalist and acquire a broad understanding, or a specialist with narrow focus in one thing. Listen to the discussion to learn how storage professionals working at the heart of IT view and interpret storage.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsErik Ableson

Andy Banta

Andrea Mauro

J Metz

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@EAbleson

@AndyBanta

@Andrea_Mauro

@DRJMetz

Twitter@SFoskett

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The storage industry is increasingly focused on memory rather than traditional storage, and this reflects an architectural shift in the compute stack. This episode of On-Premise IT focuses on the new storage stack, which now includes memory, with Andy Banta, Jim Jones, Vuong Pham, and Stephen Foskett, all of whom are attending Storage Field Day 26 and SNIA’s Storage Developer Conference. The difference between memory and storage was historically based on the technology at hand, but these lines are blurring. The latest systems can address storage and memory in very similar ways, and can apply advanced data management techniques to memory as well as storage. NVMe, NAND flash, CXL, and persistent memory technologies are blurring the lines, and the latest developments in software, as highlighted at SNIA’s SDC, bring new capabilities. As memory becomes more like storage, what was once primary storage has a new job to perform further down in the hierarchy focused on data management, ransomware, and data protection.

Memory is Edging Out Primary StorageAs reflected in the Storage Field Day presentations and discussions, as well as topics at this year’s SNIA Storage Developer Conference, primary storage is increasingly adopting the traits of secondary storage. This is caused by advancements in memory technology which step into the shoes of primary storage, and a focus on secondary services from primary vendors.

Prior to Storage Field Day, Andy Banta, Jim Jones, Vuong Pham, and Stephen Foskett discussed this new storage methodology. The discussion centered around persistent memory and CXL, memory systems, memory layering, and the emerging difficulties with memory tiering. We all agreed that primary storage looks more and more like secondary, while memory near the CPU is gaining traction as “primary memory!”

Of course memory isn’t storage, so we have to consider data persistence. Despite the need for speedier data access, we will also always need persistence of stored data, and this must be more than traditional archiving. We must also consider cache coherence, since these systems will have multiple cache levels beyond L1, L2, and L3.

CXL (Compute Express Link) provides a path forward, since it will deliver system expansion and cache coherence, even though apprehensions about coherency and processor contention (components of the forthcoming CXL 3.0) have surfaced. Despite these concerns, the protocol’s widespread adoption demonstrates its momentum and potential for radical IT infrastructure transformation.

The radical rearrangement of memory and storage, the mounting significance of tiered memory, and the incorporation of breakthrough tools like CXL signal a paradigm shift in understanding primary and secondary storage. Shaping the future of the IT stack, they are ushering in a new era that both challenges and excites the industry.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsJim Jones

Andy Banta

Vuong Pham

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@K00laidIT

@AndyBanta

@Digital_KungFu

Twitter@SFoskett

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As enterprises try to deploy infrastructure to support AI applications they generally discover that the demands of this application can disrupt their architecture plans. This episode of On-Premise IT, sponsored by Pure Storage, discusses the disruptive impact of AI on the enterprise with Justin Emerson, Allyson Klein, Keith Townsend, and Stephen Foskett. Heavy duty AI processing requires specialized hardware that more resembles High-Performance Computing (HPC) than conventional enterprise IT architecture. But as more enterprise applications leverage accelerators like GPUs and DPUs, and become more disaggregated, AI starts to make more sense. Power is one key consideration, since companies are more aware of sustainability and are impacted by limited power availability in the datacenter, and efficient external storage can be a real benefit here. This is still general-purpose infrastructure but it increasingly incorporates accelerators to improve power efficiency. One issue for general purpose infrastructure is the concern over security, and enterprise AI applications will certainly benefit from broad access to a variety of enterprise data. Enterprise use of AI will require a new data infrastructure that supports the demands of AI applications but also enables data sharing and integration with AI applications.

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Snapshots are still not backups but the nature of data storage means care must be taken to determine data retention requirements. In this episode of the On-Premise IT Podcast, Brian Knudtson, Matt Tyrer, and Richard Kenyan discuss the nature of data protection and recovery point objectives. The rapid pace of cloud storage growth as well as the shift toward using microservices and serverless computing have added additional challenges to the definition of data that needs to be backed up. In addition, the terminology changes with major companies in the space have created confusion in features.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsBrian Knudtson

Matt Tyrer

Richard Kenyan

ModeratorTom Hollingsworth

Twitter@BKnudtson

@MattsStylinHat

@RichardKenyan

Twitter@NetworkingNerd

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Security is an ever-changing technology that requires constant vigilance. Traditional models face challenges in a modern world where bad actors have better tools and methods for avoiding detection. If security teams want to stay on top of threats today they need to be sure they’re using the latest solutions to address these challenges.

In this episode, sponsored by Fortinet, Chris Grundemann, Michael Levan, and special guest Nirav Shah discuss the need for updated solutions and how Fortinet is changing the game with their Hybrid Mesh Firewall platform.

Fortinet Panelist:Nirav Shah is the VP of Products at Fortinet. You can connect with Nirav on LinkedIn and find out more about Fortinet and their Hybrid Mesh Firewall platform on their website.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsMichael Levan

Chris Grundemann

ModeratorTom Hollingsworth

Twitter@TheNJDevOpsGuy

@ChrisGrundemann

Twitter@NetworkingNerd

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As we head into VMware Explore US 2023, we are forced to consider the company’s strategy once again. Wouldn’t it be better if VMware focused on the hypervisor and networking rather than continually exploring new products and markets? That’s the question posed by Stephen Foskett to Allyson Klein, Andy Banta, and Matt Tyrer in this episode of the On-Premise IT podcast. Focus isn’t a bad strategy, especially given the slow pace of development for cloud-native applications in the enterprise. And VMware’s involvement in edge computing is an enticing new market for their core technologies. But not everyone is convinced that this is the right move!

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Low Code and No Code automation solutions have been gaining significant popularity. Organizations are embracing them to kickstart or continue automation projects. But are they the right fit for every company? There are considerations to discuss and sizing issues that need to be addressed. You also need to understand the potential impact of having a team dedicated to a solution and not a methodology. In this episode, Carl Fugate, John Osmon, and Girard Kavelines discuss where Low Code and No Code make sense and where you should consider using a different tool.

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As tech giants struggle to adapt to changing business conditions, startups are quick to blaze new trails. This episode of On-Premise IT, hosted by Stephen Foskett and featuring Rose Ross, Tim Crawford, and Justin Warren, compares the tech world to an environment where small, innovative startups are advancing while larger, traditional companies fight to keep their market dominance. Companies can only flourish if they are able to understand the evolving needs of the industry, while startups can close the gap in markets they overlook. When it comes to IT products, CIOs are no longer the primary customer, necessitating a better understanding of who the target audience is and how to communicate effectively with them.

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One of the most attractive use cases for VMware was disaster recovery, and the availability of cloud infrastructure enhances this use case. That's the topic of this episode of the On-Premise IT podcast, sponsored by Pure Storage. Cody Hosterman, Calvin Hendryx-Parker, Ned Bellavance, and Stephen Foskett discuss the use case for disaster recovery in the cloud. Although each cloud platform has different virtual machine capabilities, most now have a storage platform like Pure Storage Cloud Block Store, which is available in AWS and Azure. In addition to the pay-as-you-go aspect, the consistency of operations when using a compatible storage solution between the datacenter and the cloud is extremely compelling. Once data is in the cloud it opens the door to cloud-native applications and modernizing the enterprise as a whole.

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Network-as-a-Service is a new concept. Or is it? The ideas behind having someone else working on your network infrastructure are as old as the industry. With the advent of public cloud becoming the dominant form of IT consumption the industry is taking a second look at NaaS. In this podcast episode Drew Conry-Murray, Mohammad Ali, and Pat Allen discuss the definition of Network-as-a-Service, the various different kinds of adoption models that NaaS can take, and how enterprises small and large can find benefits.

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The importance of testing cannot be understated. Network testing is more than just working bandwidth or certifying network components. Applications play an important role in determining how networks should operate. So too does the role of components integrated with each other at the unit and system level. The sponsor of this episode, Keysight, brings a wealth of knowledge to the discussion borne from years of experience in the networking testing space. Learn how Keysight uses that knowledge and experience to the modern world of high speed Ethernet and the needs of companies deploying it at scale.

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Modern information security teams have a need for visibility to ensure user safety. Traffic flows and patterns are analyzed for anomalies and polices are put in place to ensure everyone is secure. However, protecting the data that you’ve collected is an even bigger task. Organizations need to ensure users have their identities and patterns hidden away from those that might use them for nefarious purposes. In this episode of the On-Premise IT Podcast, Roy Chua, Karen Lopez, and Alex Neihaus join Tom Hollingsworth to debate the need for organizations to secure their enterprise but also keep user data private and why the gap between the two aims is easy to lose sight of while making business policy.

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In this age of software, cloud, and platforms, custom hardware seems to be a lost art. In this episode of the On-Premise IT podcast, Joep Piscaer, Max Mortillaro, Steve McDowell, and Stephen Foskett consider whether hardware really matters anymore. Given that developers generally prioritize higher-level abstractions and platforms, they often ignoring the importance of hardware. But we can argue that optimizing hardware is crucial for efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. The importance of hardware is dependent on the specific use case or context. And developers should be educated about the impact of their hardware choices. The possibility of regulations being introduced to enforce efficiency and optimize hardware usage should also be considered.

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IT is full of siloes. They help ensure that experts are working on the areas they are best suited for. However, siloes are a problem for security teams. When you need information and visibility the walls insulating your other teams become a barrier. How can we address this in the security space? And what does the CIO need to know to make everyone more effective? In this episode, join Alex Neihaus, Karen Lopez, and Bruno Wollmann as we explore the impact that siloes have on our security strategy.

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You may be intimately familiar with brands and their products for some lines but not everything is iconic. Companies rebrand products all the time in order to get rid of per performers or try to increase sales. In the world of enterprise IT does that mean it’s more difficult to figure out what you’ve bought? Or how best to support it? In this episode of the On-Premise IT Podcast, Zoe Rose, Eric Steward, and Josh Warcop discuss the challenges faced in constant rebranding and how your efforts to put on a fresh face may lead to hard feelings.

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Although artificial intelligence, specifically machine learning and large language models, is in the news, it isn’t very useful in enterprise IT. In this episode of the On-Premise IT podcast, Karen Lopez, W. Curtis Preston, Michael Levan, and Stephen Foskett discuss the use case for AI in security. The panel acknowledges that machine learning can be beneficial in identifying anomalies and patterns that humans may overlook. It can assist in generating policies, templates, and rule sets, as well as providing best practices based on aggregated data. However, they also express concerns about the responsible use of AI and the need for training models on specific environments to ensure effectiveness. They highlight the importance of having the right data sets and the challenges of dealing with the black box nature of machine learning. Despite potential exploits and limitations, they agree that AI is currently the best tool available for detecting and addressing security threats, such as data exfiltration and unauthorized access.

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Can a remote predictive wireless survey achieve the same results as something on-site? Can the current generation of modeling give you the assurances that your design is going to work? And does the coming future of AI-driven development offer any additional capabilities that we don’t see today? In this episode of the On-Premise IT Podcast, Kerry Kulp, Peter Mackenzie, and Mohammad Ali discuss the trends of predictive surveys and how we can improve overall design satisfaction.

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Enterprise IT is constantly oscillating between centralized and distributed, and we’re currently in a period of repatriation of workloads from the cloud. This episode of the On-Premise IT podcast features three delegates from Cloud Field Day 17, Joey D’Andoni, Eric Wright, and Jason Benecicic, discussing the reality of repatriation of cloud applications with Stephen Foskett of Gestalt IT. Pundits constantly tout the money they save by repatriating from public cloud, but this might not be the best choice especially for smaller organizations. The only way to ensure functionality between on-prem, hybrid, and public cloud is to use them and use each where it is the best solution. Repatriation is especially challenging for today’s SaaS-oriented businesses, since most of these solutions can’t be run on-prem. But even workloads that can be run outside the cloud will likely require re-architecting to run locally. Yet many companies are developing software to ease the transition to and from the cloud, and these make it much easier to repatriate.

Finding the Cloud’s Sweet Spot: Navigating Workload Challenges and Unleashing the Power of Hybrid SolutionsEnterprise technology has witnessed a pendulum swing between centralized and distributed models, with the cloud representing a distributed approach. However, challenges persist in determining the suitability of cloud for different workloads, considering factors like performance and cost profiles. This has prompted a reevaluation of the cloud’s effectiveness for certain applications.

Early cloud adopters often faced the realization that their expectations of cost savings and architectural understanding were not always met. This led to a shift back to on-premises environments. However, technological advancements have reignited the assessment of the cloud’s true cost-effectiveness, highlighting the ongoing challenge of predictability that software solutions have yet to fully address.

The initial allure of cloud services was driven by the expertise and offerings of major providers like AWS and Microsoft, which catered to specific purposes and modern workloads that organizations couldn’t handle internally. Over time, hardware advancements and distributed skill sets made running workloads in the cloud more manageable. However, challenges arise when evaluating the benefits of on-premises solutions, particularly for technology-focused organizations with substantial investments and engineering staff.

The polarized narrative of being exclusively “all-in” or “all-out” of the cloud fails to recognize the value of hybrid models and the nuanced decision-making required for different workloads and architectures. It is crucial to move beyond trends and focus on evaluating applications and workloads based on their specific needs, using sensible and proven approaches.

The cloud offers flexibility, burst capacity, and programmable workload deployment, making it suitable for certain tasks. Instead of abandoning the cloud solely based on cost considerations, organizations can adopt a hybrid approach, strategically choosing which workloads are best suited for on-premises environments and which benefit from the cloud’s capabilities.

To optimize cloud adoption, organizations must continuously evaluate their strategies, leveraging tools and evaluating cost models to determine which workloads may be better suited for on-premises environments. Challenges related to storage performance, costs, and capturing accurate metrics must be addressed to ensure cost-efficiency and predictable outcomes.

The perception of the cloud as “broken” often stems from human decisions and reluctance to deviate from established practices. Embracing advancements in self-service, automated provisioning, and comprehensive analytics can help organizations overcome these challenges and fully leverage the benefits of the cloud.

As organizations continuously revisit their cloud strategies, the focus should remain on evaluating specific workload needs, leveraging the strengths of the cloud, and incorporating practical solutions. The industry must prioritize teaching the new generation of technologists the nuances of selecting the right tools for the job, ensuring that cloud adoption decisions align with business objectives and generate significant returns.

Finding the right balance between on-premises and cloud-based solutions remains a critical task for enterprises. It requires a nuanced approach, considering workload requirements, cost-effectiveness, performance, and scalability. By embracing hybrid models, leveraging cloud strengths, and making informed decisions, organizations can navigate the complexities of cloud adoption and unlock the full potential of modern enterprise technology.

Join our panel at Cloud Field Day 17 this week, live streamed on LinkedIn, or watch the recordings in the Tech Field Day YouTube Channel!

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsEric Wright

Joey D’Antoni

Jason Benedicic

ModeratorStephen Foskett

TwitterDiscoPosse

@JDAnton

@JABenedicic

Twitter@SFoskett

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As NAND flash memory technology has evolved, MLC, TLC, and QLC has been perceived to compromise both reliability and performance. In this episode of the On-Premise IT podcast, we confront the reality of Quad-Level Cell (QLC) SSDs, shedding light on their capabilities and suitability for today’s workloads. Roger Corell of Solidigm, who sponsored this episode, discuss QLC SSD with Karen Lopez, Alastair Cooke, and Stephen Foskett. The industry is increasingly embracing the benefits of QLC SSDs for mainstream workloads, and this discussion debunks common misconceptions, emphasizing the equivalent reliability, performance, and quality of QLC, TLC, and MLC SSDs. With the shifting landscape of read-intensive workloads and the growing data demands, QLC SSDs offer an efficient and cost-effective solution for mainstream applications.

On-Premises for Today’s Spotlight Podcast:PanelistsKaren Lopez

Alastair Cooke

Twitter@DataChick

@DemitasseNZ

Solidigm Panelist:Roger Corell, Director Solution Marketing at Solidigm. Find out more about Solidigm’s SSDs and other products on their website.

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@SFoskett

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The Rise of QLC SSDs for Mainstream WorkloadsAs technology evolves, there are often trade-offs between reliability, performance, and capacity. This has been especially true in the world of NAND flash memory, where multi-level cell (MLC) technology has long been perceived to compromise both reliability and performance. However, in this episode of the On-Premise IT podcast, sponsored by Solidigm, industry experts confront the reality of Quad-Level Cell (QLC) SSDs, shedding light on their capabilities and suitability for today’s workloads. Roger Corell of Solidigm is joined by Karen Lopez, Alastair Cooke, and Stephen Foskett, in a discussion of the advantages of QLC SSDs.

In recent years, workloads have shifted towards being more read-intensive, aligning perfectly with the capabilities of QLC flash technology. Solidigm’s fourth-generation QLC SSD drives are a testament to this evolution, delivering impressive capacities of up to 32 TB, a wide range of high-density form factors, and cost-effectiveness tailored for mainstream workloads. These SSDs have even made their way into new form factors like EDSFF E3, offering improved cooling and density for applications beyond traditional data centers and the cloud.

One of the persistent misconceptions surrounding QLC SSDs is the belief that increased bit per cell density significantly impacts read performance. However, the latest generation of QLC products provide equivalent read performance to TLC SSDs, effectively debunking this perception. Users can expect reliable and fast read speeds, enabling efficient data access and retrieval.

Another concern often raised is the potential compromise of write performance in QLC SSDs. However, Solidigm’s latest QLC drives offer write performance that is within 20-67% of certain TLC SSDs, making them highly suitable for mainstream and read-intensive workloads. Furthermore, these drives boast impressive endurance with 3,000 program/erase (PE) cycles, ensuring their reliability and longevity even under demanding usage scenarios.

Contrary to the belief that QLC compromises reliability and performance, Solidigm emphasizes that QLC, TLC, and MLC SSDs all offer equivalent quality and reliability in terms of drive reliability and data integrity. By optimizing technology for specific use cases, any expected differences can be effectively alleviated, providing peace of mind for organizations adopting QLC SSDs.

The need to efficiently store and access vast amounts of data is on the rise. With read-intensive workloads becoming more prevalent and the ever-increasing size of AI models and HD movies, QLC SSDs prove to be an ideal solution for mainstream and read-intensive workloads. These drives can handle the demands of data-intensive applications, providing the required speed and capacity while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

The discussion also highlights the value and extended lifespan of solid-state storage. Retired systems often have significant life left in them, demonstrating that the limited write cycles of NAND flash isn’t usually a restriction. It is likely that QLC SSDs will similarly outlast the servers in which they are used.

As the perception-reality gap narrows, the industry is increasingly embracing the benefits of QLC SSDs for mainstream workloads. The panel’s insights debunk common misconceptions, emphasizing the equivalent reliability, performance, and quality of QLC SSDs. With the shifting landscape of read-intensive workloads and the growing data demands, QLC SSDs offer an efficient and cost-effective solution for organizations across various sectors, empowering them to unlock the full potential of their data-driven initiatives.

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The industry is excited to implement Wi-Fi 6E with all the new devices coming out. Even with regulatory challenges the world is ready for faster connectivity and more reliable signal. But those same regulatory challenges are just part of the myriad of issues. Standards bodies, marketing teams, and even users themselves are asking why it’s taking so long to implement Wi-Fi 6E even after it has been brought to market faster than any Wi-Fi standard in the past. Is that because we gave up too many things to get it here? In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth talks to Sam Clements, Avril Salter, and Mario Gingras to find out whether Wi-Fi 6E got here so fast because we left so much of it behind.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsDr. Avril Salter

Sam Clements

Mario Gingras

ModeratorTom Hollingsworth

Twitter@AvrilSalterUSA

@Samuel_Clements

@GingMar

Twitter@NetworkingNerd

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There is a wide gap between storing data and making it useful, and it is getting worse with the growing volume of unstructured data. In this episode of On-Premise IT Podcast presented to you by Hammerspace, delegates Justin Warren and Chris Evans get together with Hammerspace’s Head of Global Marketing, Molly Presley, to drill into the pains of managing unstructured data, and learn how Hammperspace addresses them with data orchestration. Data orchestration takes the one-dimensional approach of storing data, to the next level that is cleaning, organizing, enriching and making data accessible across systems. It makes it possible to move large volumes of data across distances. Not bound by any one data or infrastructure type, data orchestration helps businesses handle new kinds of complex data and keep up with their changing uses.

On-Premises for Today’s Spotlight Podcast:PanelistsJustin Warren

Chris Evans

Twitter@JPWarren

@ChrisMEvans

Hammerspace Panelist:Molly Presley, Head of Global Marketing at Hammerspace. Connect with Molly on LinkedIn or learn more on the Hammerspace website.

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@SFoskett

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Key PointsData orchestration involves the movement and utilization of data regardless of its location or format. The challenges posed by unstructured data and the rise of edge computing have emphasized the need for efficient data orchestration solutions. Over the past two decades, the transition has shifted from structured to unstructured data, requiring complex workflows and interconnections between different data types. Unstructured data, such as genomics data, microscopy data, and multimedia data, necessitates effective data orchestration for proper management and utilization.

Technology advancements have enabled the decoupling of metadata from individual storage systems, allowing for distributed orchestration and flexibility in leveraging unstructured data. The focus is now on leveraging technology to enable desired actions with data, rather than being constrained by traditional tools. The shift towards NoSQL databases and data lakes reflects the need to make both structured and unstructured data useful and break free from tool limitations. Efficient data orchestration enhances workflows by facilitating data transformations, metadata application, collaboration, archival, retrieval, and interaction, while allowing for flexibility in storage systems and applications.

Data orchestration removes friction and simplifies access to data by eliminating the need to remember specific storage systems or locations. It empowers users to repurpose or modify data efficiently. By separating the storage system from data management, a more flexible approach is achieved, where storage focuses on security, performance, and accessibility, while data policies and actions can be layered on top for effective organization and utilization. Skilled professionals, often referred to as data architects or librarians, play a vital role in managing and organizing information across different storage systems.

The longevity of data is an important consideration, as it often outlasts storage systems and applications. Automation plays a crucial role in ensuring data remains accessible even when the original creators are no longer present. Curation, similar to the role of librarians curating books, is essential for data management. Data curators ensure data quality, facilitate migration between mediums, and appropriately dispose of unnecessary or sensitive information. Frictionless access to data is critical, as its value diminishes when it cannot be easily accessed and utilized. Data management and data orchestration are interconnected, with orchestration facilitating the movement and presentation of data to applications and users while adhering to front-end and back-end policies. The complexity and volume of data necessitate a robust orchestration model to unlock its true value, and advancements in AI engines and commercial products are emerging to meet the evolving needs of data businesses.

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Private 5G is coming to the enterprise near you. Deploying this hot new wireless and mobility technology is a great way to overcome challenges with Wi-Fi and allow IoT devices to be provisioned quickly in remote locations. But with new technologies come new complexity. Can Wi-Fi engineers figure out how to make these two solutions co-exist? And does the complexity of 5G radio technology mean we have to choose between one or the other? In this episode, Avril Salter, Troy Martin, and Keith Parsons discuss the complexity of Private 5G and whether or not it can be simplified for the enterprise.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsDr. Avril Salter

Troy Martin

Keith Parsons

ModeratorTom Hollingsworth

Twitter@AvrilSalterUSA

@TroyMart

@KeithRParsons

Twitter@NetworkingNerd

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Although the Utilizing Edge podcast dives deep into the topic of edge computing, it’s worth considering the topic from other perspectives. This episode of the On-Premise IT podcast features Andy Banta, Jim Jones, and Gina Rosenthal discussing the reality of edge with Stephen Foskett, host of Utilizing Edge. After a quick consideration of the various devices that could be considered edge, from mobile phones to 5G base stations to software to Intel NUCs, we discuss the requirements and demands of edge computing. But there are many similarities with datacenter and cloud, including virtual machines and containers, Kubernetes and firewalls, hyper-converged infrastructure and SD-WAN.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsAndy Banta

Jim Jones

Gina Rosenthal

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@AndyBanta

@K00laidIT

@Digi_Sunshine

Twitter@SFoskett

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The term “lock in” gets thrown around a lot in IT. It’s the reason why we spend so much time engineering solutions that don’t make us dependent on technologies. But does it really matter in the long run? Is the treatment for lock in really better in the end? Does it matter if it’s in the enterprise or in the cloud? And are we finding ourselves locked in slowly or all at once? In this episode of the On-Premise IT Podcast, Jody Lemoine, Snehal Patel, and Steve Puluka join Tom Hollingsworth to discuss the pros and cons of lock in and how it might not be as bad as you’re imagining.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsJody Lemoine

Steve Puluka

Snehal Patel

ModeratorTom Hollingsworth

Twitter@GhostInTheNet

@SPuluka

@SnehalPatel1410

Twitter@NetworkingNerd

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Every piece of software has an API now. If you want to interact with the program you’re going to need to write a program of your own. Are you ready to learn? Should companies still be expected to have a CLI available for the non-programmers? And does the ease of accessing a published API create more problems than it solves? In this episode of the On-Premise IT Podcast, Tom Hollingsworth, Jody Lemoine, and Steve Puluka discuss the advantages and disadvantages of having easy access to everything at your fingertips via the API.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsJody Lemoine

Steve Puluka

ModeratorTom Hollingsworth

Twitter@GhostInTheNet

@SPuluka

Twitter@NetworkingNerd

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Storage systems and databases are becoming increasingly alike. In this episode of On-Premise IT Podcast recorded at the recent Storage Field Day event in California, delegates – Glenn Dekhayser, Jim Czuprynski and Denny Cherry, join host Stephen Foskett, to chew over this. In what ways are storage platforms and databases alike? Are they only different in the way they store data, or is the distinction purely based on the IT personas using them? Watch the panel explore the ins and outs of modern arrays and databases, and dissect into why, despite their likeness, the two exist side by side. Learn how databases and storage platforms treat data differently. Hear them list down the properties that separate the two.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsGlenn Dekhayser

Jim Czuprynski

Denny Cherry

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@GDekhayser

@JimTheWhyGuy

@MrDenny

Twitter@SFoskett

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The prevailing cybersecurity skills shortage has impacted security teams around the world and their ability to protect against today’s threats. As decision makers analyze the potential remedies to this issue, how should they proceed? Is automation the answer? Should you be investing in cybersecurity training programs to advance your employees’ skills and expertise? Should you look at bringing in third party experts to help you close the gap? Or is it a combination of all three?

In this episode, brought to you by Fortinet, Melissa Palmer, Chris Gundemann, and Karin Shopen of Fortinet dive into the state of the modern enterprise and cybersecurity skills, and the solutions that can help security teams combat the talent shortage in the short and long term.

Fortinet Panelist:Karin Shopen, Vice President of Cybersecurity Solutions and Services at Fortinet. You can connect with Karin on LinkedIn. Learn more about how Fortinet’s SOC-as-a-Service and Cybersecurity Assessments and Readiness Services can help combat the challenges of the skills gap and better protect against cyber threats. In addition, find out how the Fortinet Training Institute can help security professionals advance their skills and help organizations build the cyber workforce of tomorrow.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsMellisa Palmer

Chris Grundemann

ModeratorTom Hollingsworth

Twitter@vMiss33

@ChrisGrundemann

Twitter@NetworkingNerd

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Ever since IBM introduced external storage in the mainframe age the concept of big storage keeps changing. This special episode of the On-Premise IT podcast includes Storage Field Day 25 delegates Ray Lucchesi, Andy Banta, and Rohan Puri considering the current state of enterprise storage, from the datacenter to the cloud. Although every device and computer has storage of one sort or another, the market still has a tremendous appetite for dedicated storage hardware, software, and services. Storage for different use cases can be wildly different as well, from IoT and edge to machine learning and analytics to databases to the cloud, and each of these have different solutions. But it’s all big storage, and big storage will continue to grow and diversify.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsAndy Banta

Ray Lucchesi

Rohan Puri

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@AndyBanta

@RayLucchesi

@Rohan_Puri

Twitter@SFoskett

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IP address management in the era of IoT and BYOD is a total torment, especially for growing organizations. In this episode of On-Premise IT Podcast, recorded at Tech Field Day event in California, delegates Aaron Conaway, Jeffrey Powers and Michael Davis take the lid off the pain points of managing DNS and DHCP in large networks. Learn about the current methods of network administrators, and know why they are inefficient at best, and messy at worst. Hear the experts give their verdict on what could be the most elegant solution for administrators.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsAaron Conaway

Jeffrey Powers

Michael Davis

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Social MediaMastodon: @AConaway

Twitter: @Geekazine

Mastodon: @CarpeInferi

Twitter@SFoskett

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There’s a lot of bad news coming out of the IT industry, especially large service providers and suppliers, but overall things aren’t as bad as it sounds. This episode of On-Premise IT features Andy Banta, Nico Stein, and Geoff Burke, who will be attending Tech Field Day this week, discussing the state of the industry with Stephen Foskett. Many tech companies, especially hyperscalers and online services, over-hired, and over-purchased, during the pandemic and have handled the resulting pull-back and layoffs particularly poorly. But supply chain constraints are normalizing and companies outside Silicon Valley are purchasing and hiring again, and this can help offset these losses. Leading-edge startups and new technologies continue to see investment and uptake, and these are the companies that will lead the industry out of this tech recession.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsAndy Banta

Geoff Burke

Nico Stein

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@AndyBanta

@CloudRestore

@NicoStein

Twitter@SFoskett

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In the race to make our users safer, have we reduced our visibility? Encrypting traffic with TLS everywhere means that our users can use online banking and protect their privacy without worry of theft or eavesdropping. However those same protections also obfuscate malicious traffic and keep our security personnel from finding attackers. Should we implement newer methods of analyzing encrypted traffic? Is it reliable? Or are we just guessing? In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth, Jasper Bongertz, and Dominik Pickhardt discussed whether or not encrypted traffic monitoring is really worth it.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsJasper Bongert

Dominik Pickhardt

ModeratorTom Hollingsworth

Twitter@PacketJay

@NetworkAutobahn

Twitter@NetworkingNerd

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Even though most of the technologies and infrastructure elements are the same, the nature of edge comping is entirely different. This episode of On-Premise IT features Edge Field Day delegates Enrico Signoretti, Allyson Klein, and Alastair Cooke discussing these differences with Stephen Foskett. Many edge environments look a lot like the datacenter, with servers, switches, storage, virtualization, and more. Other environments resemble clouds, with Kubernetes, hyper-converged, and containerization. All of these technologies are being deployed in a different way, and they are transformed by being adapted to use at remote locations.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsAllyson Klein

Alastair Cooke

Enrico Signoretti

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@TechAllyson

@DemitasseNZ

@ESignoretti

Twitter@SFoskett

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Uniqueness is the enemy of consistency. We spend our time building custom environments and then find our efforts to automate them fail. In this episode of the On-Premise IT Podcast, John Kilpatrick, Jody Lemoine, and Vince Schuele highlight all the reasons why we’ve spent our careers tailoring the needs of the infrastructure to the workload. They also discuss why it’s important to understand how things need to be accomplished and how automation and orchestration systems need to be tuned to work with our design philosophies. Learn why you shouldn’t build snowflakes but also how to avoid being buried under a blizzard of design decisions.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsJohn Kilpatrick

Jody Lemoine

Vince Schuele

ModeratorTom Hollingsworth

Twitter@HypergeekWiFi

@GhostInTheNet

@Schuele22

Twitter@NetworkingNerd

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XDR is the latest exciting solution that will fix all of your security woes. It will break down siloes in your organization and reduce response time to intrusions. But is it a tool that only the security team can use? Or is it something that requires buy-in from the whole organization? In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth, Zoë Rose, and Dominik Pickhardt discuss XDR and how it can be leveraged by the entire organization to help secure your assets and users.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsZoë Rose

Dominik Pickhardt

ModeratorTom Hollingsworth

Twitter@RoseSecOps

@NetworkAutobahn

Twitter@NetworkingNerd

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Although the move from capital to operational expenses is important, many organizations expect more than financial engineering from their storage as a service. This episode, sponsored by Pure Storage, is a discussion of the various ways storage can be delivered and consumed as a service. Taruna Gandhi of Pure Storage discusses this premise with Chris Grundemann, Max Mortillaro, and Stephen Foskett. First we tackle the question of capital versus operational expenses and alignment of business and IT. Next we consider whether companies need ownership of storage or just access to appropriate capacity. Finally we discuss the creation of a true managed service and the transition to the cloud.

On-Premises for Today’s Spotlight Podcast:PanelistsMax Mortillaro

Chris Grundemann

Twitter@MaxMortillaro

@ChrisGrundemann

Pure Storage PanelistTaruna Gandhi, Product Marketing Executive | Cloud Management and Infrastructure, Pure Storage. You can connect with Taruna on LinkedIn. Learn more about Pure Storage’s Storage as a Service here.

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@SFoskett

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Although the definition of hybrid cloud is loose, it’s inescapable that organizations are getting smarter about locating applications on-premises as well. In this episode of the On-Premise IT podcast, Michael Levan and Jon Myer join Stephen Foskett to discuss on-premises IT. It can seem that this discussion is driven by cost, but companies are actually getting a lot smarter and considering how to make the best use of resources in any location. In addition to on-prem versions of cloud platforms, OpenStack is still being deployed and OpenShift allows transparent location of applications. For Kubernetes applications, Rancher, Portainer, Lens, Arc, Anthos, and more. Cloud Field Day includes presentations from SoloIO, Forward Networks, and Fortinet, and all of these are important solutions for modern cloud as well. Cloud technology is a breath of fresh air for the datacenter and the people who work in modern IT, as applications are repatriated to the modern hybrid cloud.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsJon Myer

Michael Levan

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@_JonMyer

@TheNJDevOpsGuy

Twitter@SFoskett

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Is enterprise IT capable of weathering a recession better than any other area of business? The vendors of the technology would have you believe that they’re not going to be affected by a coming slowdown in purchasing. The analysts say that there is trouble brewing on the horizon. What is it about infrastructure that makes it more likely to be a safe bet? In this episode, Tim Bertino, Ethan Banks, and Tom Hollingsworth discuss the various ways that investing in tech helps grow business but also the potential pitfalls of companies that think they’re bigger than the economic indicators.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsTim Bertino

Ethan Banks

ModeratorTom Hollingsworth

Twitter@TimBertino

@ECBanks

Twitter@NetworkingNerd

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The whole concept of the cloud is evolving, from traditional datacenter to cloud-native applications to the next generation of hybrid cloud. This episode of On-Premise IT, sponsored by NetApp, features Arjan Timmerman, Vuong Pham, Stephen Foskett, and Phoebe Goh discussing the evolved cloud. Data gravity and sovereignty is leading enterprises to reconsider the platforms chosen to host their applications. Although terms like hybrid cloud, private cloud, and multicloud are changing, customers care more about functionality and practical applications. Data must be made available both inside and outside the datacenter but it must be managed and protected in these locations and comply with regulations and industry best practices. Businesses are increasingly using multiple cloud services as well, from public IaaS to their own datacenter Kubernetes environment. This makes it especially difficult when considering data services and tools since they must support a wide variety of platforms.

On-Premises for Today’s Spotlight Podcast:PanelistsVuong Pham

Arjan Timmerman

Twitter@Digital_KungFu

@ArjanTimm

NetApp PanelistPhoebe Goh, Product & Marketing Leader at NetApp. Connect with Phoebe on LinkedIn and on Twitter. Learn more about BlueXP from NetApp here.

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@SFoskett

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Flash maybe the shiny new toy that enterprises are beguiled with, but it’d be wrong to prophesy that flash would put older technologies like disk and tape out of business. In this episode of On-Premise IT Podcast, host Stephen Foskett talks with guests from the IT world – Jim Czuprynski, Richard Kenyan, and Ray Lucchesi about the growing prominence of solid state drives and what it means for disk and tape. Learn how the older storage media are keeping pace with the meteoric rise of flash, and if there will come a time when these older options will fall out of favor.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsJim Czuprynski

Ray Lucchesi

Richard Kenyan

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@JimTheWhyGuy

@RayLucchesi

@RichardKenyan

Twitter@SFoskett

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Edge computing is getting more real every day. What emerged as a viable architecture to support distributed computing has now taken center stage. So, as it stands now, how do we define edge? What technologies make up the edge in 2022? Is it truly coming together as a computer paradigm or is it just another term that came out of the marketing mill to disappear tomorrow or be used for something else?

Filmed in Santa Clara, California, in this On-Premise IT Podcast, Stephen Foskett, and Tech Field Day delegates Voung Pham, Sr Solutions Architect, Ken Nalbone, Solutions Architect and Joey D-Antoni, Principal Consultant, answer all these intriguing questions about the edge making the concept hopefully a little bit clearer.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsJoey D’Antoni

Ken Nalbone

Vuong Pham

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@JDanton

@KenNalbone

@Digital_KungFu

Twitter@SFoskett

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Wireless is the new edge. Almost every client out there, whether a laptop or phone or IoT sensor, uses Wi-Fi to connect to the network. What happens when security gets in the way? How can we keep our devices safe but ensure that users or headless systems are capable of connecting without issue? How should our security team be involved in the discussion? Do you agree that Security Isn’t The Wi-Fi’s Fault?

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsDr. Avril Salter

Mohammad Ali

John Kilpatrick

ModeratorTom Hollingsworth

Twitter@AvrilSalterUSA

@Malief46

@HypergeekWiFi

Twitter@NetworkingNerd

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Today, a major hurdle in the journey of deploying cloud-based technologies is cloud skill shortage. It’s a crisis many organizations are struggling with and it is throttling their cloud progress. The story behind this makes perfect sense. Modern cloud operations is not the same as it was in the starting. In the age of hyperconnectivity, cloud computing is all about adopting to new technologies at a fast pace. That demands high levels of cloud computing skills. The reason that that is in short supply is because cloud professionals are on a very steep learning curve, upskilling as the industry evolves. This gap can potentially put a pause on enterprises’ digital transformation projects.

In this On-Premise IT podcast recorded at the recent Cloud Field Day event in Silicon Valley, IT experts Gina Rosenthal, Phoummala Schmitt and Becky Elliott put a finger on what precisely entails CloudOps and what skills enterprises should be looking for.

On-Premises for Today’s Podcast:PanelistsGina Rosenthal

Phoummala Schmitt

Becky Elliott

Twitter@GMinks

@ExchangeGoddess

@BeckyLElliott

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@SFoskett

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After nearly two decades since the first use of cloud computing in modern IT, organizations have completed the first phase of their journey into cloud, and now, the next stage of the transition begins. In this episode of On-Premise IT podcast, brought to you by NetApp, host Stephen Foskett and panelists, Joey D’Antoni and Max Mortillaro, and Jeff Baxter from NetApp, discuss the unfolding of the cloud transition. Although the migration to cloud part is over for the most part, the journey hasn’t been the same for every company. Not every organization’s itenerary was packing and leaving for the cloud. There are organizations that consciously chose to leave a section of their workloads on-premises, or maybe even move things back on-premises after running them on public cloud because that made the most sense. But whatever curve organizations followed, it appears that they have worked out what and whether to migrate to cloud, a decision that was shrouded in ambiguity in the early stages.

On-Premises for Today’s Spotlight Podcast:PanelistsMax Mortillaro

Joey D’Antoni

Twitter@MaxMortillaro

@JDAnton

RackN PanelistJeff Baxter, Product & Marketing Leader at NetApp. Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn.

ModeratorStephen Foskett

Twitter@SFoskett

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In this episode of On-Premise IT Podcast, presented by RackN, Stephen Foskett sits with Calvin Hendryx-Parker, Keith Townsend, and CEO Rob Hirschfeld to discuss collaboration and automation.

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In this episode of the On-Premise IT podcast, Jasper Bongertz, Jon Myer, and Evan Mintzer discuss the ways in which our organizations face increased challenges with securing workers that are outside our enterprise defenses.

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Join Stephen Foskett of Gestalt IT, Pete Gerr of Dell Technologies, Enrico Signoretti, and Girard Kavelines as they consider the state of the art in security.

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Although object storage goes back decades in the enterprise datacenter, it's nowhere near as dominant as it is in the cloud. Stephen and his panel discuss.

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In this On-Premise IT podcast, Stephen Foskett, Andy Banta, Vuong Pham and Pete Robertson take the subscription revolution, one of IT’s biggest business trends and distill it to reveal the less-exciting side of it.

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In this episode, Craig Rodgers, Chris Reed, and Chris Hayner join Stephen Foskett to consider the end of the server itself.

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In this podcast, Tom Hollingsworth and the panel discuss the idea that Network Access Can’t Be Controlled From The Edge.

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In this episode Tom and his panel of delegates debate the premise that You Don’t Need Wi-Fi 6E Today.

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In this episode, Brian Knudtson, Gina Rosenthal and Alastair Cooke join Stephen Foskett in this discussion that tries to define the ways in which VMworld has changed and what to expect from the future VMware Explore conferences.

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This episode of the On-Premise IT podcast brings Joep Piscaer, Nathan Bennett, and Calvin Hendryx-Parker together with Stephen Foskett to talk about the new world of developer-focused enterprise tech.

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In this episode of the On-Premise IT podcast, sponsored by Pure Storage, Larry Smith and Jim Czuprynski discuss the evolution of storage with Anthony Lai-Ferrario of Pure Storage and Stephen Foskett of Gestalt IT.

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Companies are touting the latest advances in ML and AI to help solve the issue but does Observability Need to be Smarter? The panel discusses.

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In this episode of the On-Premise IT podcast presented by Hammerspace, Enrico Signoretti and Chris Evans join Head of Marketing Molly Presley of Hammerspace and Stephen Foskett to discuss the reality of hybrid cloud storage.

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In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth and his panel discuss the pros and cons behind how EVPN Doesn’t Need VXLAN.

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In this episode featuring delegates from Networking Field Day: Service Provider, we discuss how Service Providers Lead the Way in Automation.

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On this episode, Tom Hollingsworth and the panel discuss how the world is more wireless that ever and if it's reliable enough in critical situations.

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On this episode of the On-Premise IT Podcast, Stephen Foskett is joined by a panel of delegates who drill into these questions to bring clarity to the topic of multi-cloud and what the future looks like for this model.

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In this episode, our group of wireless experts discuss the premise and whatever or not we are Using the Words Site Survey Wrong.

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In this episode, brought to you by Pure Storage, Justin Emerson, Justin Warren, and Marc Staimer join Stephen Foskett to discuss the push and pull of hardware and software based storage.

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In this episode of On-Premise IT podcast, Stephen Foskett and his expert panel discuss if you can imagine a world without AI.

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In this episode, sponsored by Fortinet, Tom and his panel discuss why Consistent Security is Hard.

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In this episode, Tom and his panel discuss if they think Networking is Too Complex from Networking Field Day 28.

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Pretty much every application today has an API and scales out using modern infrastructure approaches, but is it a cloud? That's the question we put to the panel of podcast guests today, as we look forward to Cloud Field Day 14 in June 2022.

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In this episode, Tom and his panel discuss whether or not Full Stack Engineering is a Joke from Networking Field Day.

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In this episode, Tom and the panel discuss if it's time to ask if enterprise IT matters anymore with remote work coupled with vendors' desire to move to subscription models.

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In this episode presented by Intel, Justin Warren and Frederic Van Haren join Stephen Foskett and Dr.Jawad Khan to discuss the implications of a system that can keep an entire big data graph in persistent memory and thus does not need as much memory or high-performance storage.

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As we enter a new era of enterprise IT, it may be time to end this disengagement and communicate more, for the good of their own business and cater better to the customers they’re serving.

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In this episode, sponsored by RackTop Systems, Marc Staimer and Arjan Timmerman are joined by Eric Bednash and David Hughes of RackTop to discuss the real state of storage security.

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In this special episode, recorded prior to AI Field Day, Andy Banta and Karen Lopez join Stephen Foskett to discuss the relationship between storage, data, and AI.

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The technology behind VPNs is venerable. Heavy clients that create client networking issues coupled with key exchanges makes users want to throw their hands up in dismay. Applications have integrated security features and moved to the cloud to provide centralized access. Are VPNs even worth it any more? In this episode, brought you by Keeper Security, we debate the premise that VPNs Aren’t Required Anymore.

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In this episode, Stephen Foskett and his panel discuss if it really works when companies try to leverage DevOps to sell products through developer advocacy.

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In this episode, Stephen and his panel of experts answers the question Do Enterprises Need Private Cellular?

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In this episode, Tom and his panel of security experts discuss whether or not Too Much Security is Just as Bad as No Security.

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In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth, Chris Hayner, and Steve Puluka discuss when ransomware attacks will dissipate.

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In this On-Premise Podcast, Stephen Foskett and his guests discuss this situation to find a strategic solution to poor security in storage.

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In this episode Tom Hollingsworth and his panel discuss why Firewalls Don’t Seem to Belong Everywhere.

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On this episode, Stephen and the panel discuss what is changing in the realm of storage and next-generation storage isn't storage anymore, it's something altogether new and different!

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In this episode presented by Pure Storage, Tom Hollingsworth and the panel are joined by Andy Stone to discuss all the ways that Reactive Security Controls are Not Enough.

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In this episode, Stephen Foskett is joined by delegates Brian Knudtson, Craig Rodgers, and Jim Czuprynski's take on the premise that Web3 is bunk.

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In this episode, Stephen is joined by a panel of cloud experts to discuss if the traditional cloud is dead and if hypercloud is taking over storage solutions.

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In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth and his panel explore the idea that Disruptive Technologies Get Buried.

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Join a group of forward-looking thinkers on this episode as they decide whether or not 2022 will be the same year for technology as 2021 or not.

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In this massive episode of the On-Premise IT Roundtable, Tom Hollingsworth and the panel discuss the advantages and issues with network disaggregation.

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Join Tom Hollingsworth on this episode as he brings on a panel of service provider networking experts to dissect the differences between the traditional enterprise network and a service provider or transit network.

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In this sponsored episode, Amy Fowler of Pure Storage joins Gina Rosenthal, Enrico Signoretti, and Stephen Foskett to discuss the challenge of dealing with unstructured data.

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When designing Wi-Fi networks, there are a number of buttons that you can push to help make the perfect setup to maximize coverage and throughput. Depending on the application you use to do the work you may find some buttons easier to use than others. However, the most popular value to change seems to be the data rate. Is this a good idea? Or are you just setting yourself up for failure? In this episode, will we find out that Data Rates Don’t Change Cell Size?

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As microservices applications rise, so do container management systems, and these are increasingly including light, heavy, and system service containers for networking and storage. Should heavy containers exist?

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Enterprises today have a difficult decision to make on a per-application basis, with many considerations to make, from security to ownership to cost. Learn how to decide in this episode of the On-Premise Roundtable podcast.

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As we approach the next Security Field Day event, do data protection solutions actually solve the problem of ransomware? Find out here.

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Techies are inherently curious, and magic happens when they step outside their area of expertise and really dig into something new. That’s what we’re talking about this week on the On-Premise IT Roundtable with a set of delegates from Tech Field Day 24.

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In this episode promoting September's Networking Field Day, Tom Hollingsworth and his guests discuss the effects of work from anywhere on enterprise IT.

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In this episode, Calvin Hendryx-Parker, Ned Bellavance, and Jason Benedicic join Stephen Foskett to discuss the value of a service mesh to modern application stacks.

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In this discussion, Tech Field Day 24 delegates Paul Stringfellow, Robert Novak, and Craig Rodgers discuss the endless parade of hype with Stephen Foskett.

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When it comes to innovating storage practices in a changing world, there are a lot of opinions on how to do it. Join host Stephen Foskett and his round table of esteemed guests from around the storage industry as they discuss these questions and more.

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Storage administration has always been about fighting bottlenecks, but today’s architecture means it’s time to embrace them instead. In this episode, our panel discusses the premise that it’s most important to match bottlenecks to the position in the infrastructure stack and application.

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In this special episode of the On-Premise IT Roundtable podcast, sponsored by Pure Storage, we discuss the modern application stack and how technologies like object storage and Kubernetes are allowing companies to break free from their technical debt once and for all.

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Multi-cloud has quickly become a buzzword in the enterprise IT industry, but as organizations start to adopt multi-cloud strategies, their reasoning behind the switch may not justify the act itself. Although a multi-cloud approach can increase an organization’s availability, that alone doesn’t warrant introducing the complexity and costs that come with multi-cloud. Listen to this episode of the On-Premise IT Roundtable Podcast to hear how host Tom Hollingsworth and our esteemed guests, Ather Beg and Calvin Hendryx-Parker, unpack the concept of multi-cloud and uncover more impactful reasons than just high availability to consider adopting multi-cloud.

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The world is starting to recover from the pandemic. People are starting to ask if it’s time to return to the office. And more than a few aren’t ready to go back. At the same time, employers are trying to find a way to get people back, and they’re asking questions about the infrastructure. Could new fast wireless access points be the tipping point? In this episode, we discuss whether or not new wireless networks are enough to bring workers back to the office.

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In this episode, brought to you by BlueCat Networks, we explore the importance of DNS to the way modern cloud operates and decide whether or not DNS is critical for the operation of modern cloud.

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Cloud computing has transformed enterprise IT, but it is perhaps less obvious how traditional concepts like data protection and high availability have infiltrated the public cloud. In this episode, Cloud Field Day 11 delegates Max Mortillaro, Adam Post, and Thom Greene join Stephen Foskett to discuss the many ways that cloud computing has adapted to the demands of the enterprise.

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With so much data at the average organization’s disposal, the task of storing it all — and storing it in an effective manner — seems to be quickly becoming more than humans can handle on their own. In this episode of the On-Premise IT Roundtable podcast, sponsored by Pure Storage, host Stephen Foskett is joined by Pure’s Prakash Darji, as well as IT luminaries, Gina Rosenthal and Chris Grundemann, to discuss how IT organizations can smartly manage their storage.

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With the rise of Kubernetes and other completely cloud-based deployments, on-premises data centers seem to be on the way out to make way for the scalability and dynamism of the cloud. In this episode, Stephen Foskett is joined by George Wagner from Liqid and AI Field Day delegates, Frederic Van Haren and David Klee, to discuss innovations in the data center and AI composability.

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The enterprise storage industry has passed from the hard disk era through hybrid to all-flash, but what comes next? In this sponsored episode, Moshe Twitto of Pliops joins Enrico Signoretti, Chris Evans, and Stephen Foskett to discuss the end of the SSD era.

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AI-powered applications are rolling out everywhere, but enterprises are really not ready for this shift. From lack of infrastructure to power training and inferencing, to a skills gap to manage data and AI, to a lack of readiness to deal with diversity and ethics, there are many holes in enterprise IT. Engineering teams tend to approach all applications from a technical perspective, but AI brings more to the table, demanding a deeper knowledge of bias and legalities than most other applications.

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The enterprise network is full of data. We live in a world of telemetry and analytics and data lakes, not SNMP and simple measurements. In this episode, brought to you by Cisco, we take on the premise that traditional network monitoring tools can’t keep up with modern networks.

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Have networks just become on-ramps to the internet interstate? As we ramp up for Networking Field Day 25, Tom and Co. dive into the topic of on-premises networks and their function in this cloud age on this episode of the On-Premise IT Roundtable Podcast.

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SD-WAN has been the truest example of implementing software-defined networking in the last decade. With the rise of SASE, we’re seeing the integration of software-defined security as well. In this episode brought to you by Cisco, we explore the idea that Multicloud Networking is the True Driver for SD-WAN and SASE Adoption.

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Dynamic. Extensible. Scalable. These are just some of the key traits today’s companies need from their infrastructure, and frankly, it seems like the server as it has been known is not built to the same specifications. Check out this episode of the On-Premise IT Roundtable to hear how changes are affecting server infrastructure and, ultimately, answer the question: is it the end of the server as we know it?

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Wi-Fi networking is the way we do business today in the enterprise, but what about 5G? In this episode of the On-Premise IT Podcast, we explore whether or not Private LTE will displace Wi-Fi.

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We can recover from software hacks, but what should we do with the software? In this episode, we ask if we need to toss out hacked software.

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Security is how we protect ourselves and our information, but can we boil it all down to a product? In this episode, we discuss whether or not Security Is Just A Bunch Of Products.

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Does Kubernetes need persistent storage? Or is it just about the data being kept in containers? In this sponsored episode by Pure Storage, we discuss where storage is headed from here.

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With the recent departure of Pat Gelsinger and other executives, VMware find itself in uncertain times. Join us on this episode of the On-Premise IT Roundtable Podcast as we try to determine the fate of VMware.

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What is XDR exactly? How can XDR help you understand the forces at play in your enterprise? Join us in this sponsored episode by Cisco, as we try to find out if it’s true that XDR Isn’t Enough For Your Security Needs.

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Metadata is not data… or is it? Should it be treated and protected like data? In this episode, we tackle this debate and dig into the distinction between these categories of information.

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What exactly is SASE? Is it just a shiny new name for something we have been using for ages? Tom Hollingsworth and a panel of experts chat with Palo Alto Networks.

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Intel's CEO is stepping down. What next? Will new CEO Pat Gelsinger step in to save the day? Tom Hollingsworth and a panel of guests discuss. What do you think?

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Docker. Does it only care about developers now? Donnie Berkholz, VP of Product, Docker walks us through whats really happening at Docker in 2021

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Storageless storage? What, in the name of oxymorons does that mean? Stephen Foskett and a panel of experts dive in.

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Is it even worth making predictions in 2021? I mean, it's not like 2020 was predictable! Tom Hollingsworth and a panel of tech influencers look at the trends the may be hitting our screens in 2021

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Are bug bounty programs just legalized bribery? What do you think?

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What does remote working mean for existing security technologies? Tom Hollingsworth, a panel of tech experts, and Rohan Naggi from VMware take a look at traditional security models

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Docker will rate limit image pulls from Docker Hub, what does this mean for the cloud ecosystem? Find out more,.

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Do you really need cloud gateways to transition to the cloud? Tom Hollingsworth and a panel of cloud experts tackle this question head on.

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How can an open source project become your full-time job and how can you make money at it? Good question. Catch the podcast to find out!

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VMware Work From Anywhere Spotlight Podcast: The pandemic has created challenges for professionals working from home, not the least of which is networking. With so much technology focused on the enterprise the new branch seems to be neglected. In this episode, we speak with experts from the community and from VMware about how SD-WAN can play a key role in helping workers at home utilize their bandwidth and provide resilience in commodity connections.

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Botnets are becoming a huge part of Internet attack methods and data collection tools. The idea that thousands of machines can be used to create DDoS attacks or even impact legitimate services cannot be underestimated. But how much of a role should the government play in disrupting them? Is it right for your government to play such a big role in security? In this episode, we explore the idea that governments trying to disrupt botnets is a bad idea.

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Can you afford to use cloud storage? Although it is elastic, agile, and simple, enterprises have faced many challenges using cloud storage. It’s difficult to manage the cost of cloud storage, since it’s so easy to set up and run. And not all applications are able to access cloud storage directly, so gateways and translation layers are needed. There are so many options now, it can be a challenge even to understand them let alone use them properly. The focus should be on selecting and managing the right type of storage for the job, not simply moving data to the cloud.

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Enterprise networks have been on the verge of address exhaustion for years. The promise that was once the utopia of unlimited address space with IPv6 has seemed to disappear with barely a whimper. Our networks seem to be running just fine on IPv4 for the foreseeable future. In this episode, we discuss whether or not enterprise networking needs IPv6.

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On-premises object storage has traditionally been associated with archive data. Scale and density were important, but the performance was not a major consideration. Fast object storage was an oxymoron. That paradigm is changing. DevOps teams across enterprises are now building container-based applications leveraging S3. High-performance applications are being designed to bring the capabilities and benefits of S3 and cloud-optimized architectures to on-premises environments. Vertica in Eon mode and Splunk SmartStore are a couple of examples highlighting this trend. Will this trend become more prevalent? Will a majority of new high-performance applications be designed with object storage? Will object storage become the future of primary storage? Tune in to this podcast to find out.

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We all have the idea that there are companies that are good and companies that are bad. Some do kind things for their communities and others seek to take as much as possible. But are the companies really at fault here? Or is this behavior being driven by people behind the scenes? In this episode, we set out to prove that companies aren’t inherently bad but people can be.

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The current state of the world has forced us all to work from home. It’s what we’ve always wanted, right? Freedom to hang out in our PJs all day and no travel to the office. Yet, the reality of working from home is less appealing when you get into the details. For many, working from home isn’t all that great. In this podcast, we’ll explain why and try and find some solutions to the issue.

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NGINX Spotlight: We live in an increasingly interconnected world that hinges on responsive APIs. It is becoming a standard way for us to interface not only with software, but with devices that run that software. We are trying to do magical things with APIs now, yet not all APIs are created equal. As we develop more and more around APIs and their ability to be accessed, we're finding some limitations, which means we have to develop new thoughts and new ways of handling things. One of the latest is real-time API, which can process an API call end-to-end in under 30 milliseconds. Sound too good to be true? Sound too good to be true? Our panel will dig in to find out the answer to this question: Are all APIs created equal?

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Facts are facts, but that doesn’t mean that your data is telling you the whole story. Data experts know that biases crop up any time we look at data, and this cannot be avoided. That’s why we need to be sensitive to these biases when making judgments and when planning data collection exercises. We apply these concepts to everything from sales metrics to the COVID pandemic to government surveillance. This episode reunites our social justice panel including Leon Adato, Josh Fidel, Karen Lopez, and Phoummala Schmitt, with moderator Stephen Foskett.

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As enterprise storage moves to commodity hardware and software, has the time come for businesses to consider building their own storage systems? In this podcast, we discuss the pros and cons of packaged enterprise storage solutions and consider how the market is changing. Many modern storage solutions, from VMware vSAN to cloud storage, are based on commodity hardware. And there are many instances where a production storage environment uses self-configured software too. But we still recommend sticking with a supported storage solution.

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In a highly-connected world, we rely on our technology to stay online at all times. Almost everything uses wireless today, right? But what kind of wireless does it use? You might be tempted to say Wi-Fi, but as it turns out, WI-Fi isn’t always the best wireless solution for your needs.

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The standards for faster wireless communications are being adopted much more quickly. We have faster speeds and different spectrum allocations to work with. However, the largest consumers of the wireless space in the coming years are the ones that won’t be able to use those faster new speeds without a radical shift in direction. IoT devices use slower, older, cheaper radios. So, the premise of this episode is that IoT Doesn’t Need Wi-Fi 6E.

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Pure Storage Spotlight: In this episode, we are taking on enterprise cloud architecture, and specifically, the move towards disaggregated infrastructure. As enterprises move towards cloud architecture, a lot of companies are jumping in. Software solutions like VMware Cloud Foundation, for instance, drive the ability of enterprises to build a hybrid cloud. But there has been a lot of talk about architecture as well. The industry has seen a lot of changes in the last several years. There was a move towards converged, then hyperconverged, and now disaggregated architecture offers benefits for an optimized hybrid cloud (for example, Pure Storage and Cisco's FlashStack). Is disaggregated the right move?

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Continuing our effort to reconcile the perspective of enterprise IT nerds with the social upheaval happening all around us, the On-Premise IT Roundtable Podcast guests discuss the concept of a single source of truth. In IT analytics, we believe that one system or application has “truth” even if others disagree. Is this true of the wider world as well? What is the difference between data, fact, and truth and how can we leverage this concept to bring justice to the world?

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Technical people love clarity, facts, transparency, and data, but the world outside the datacenter is anything but. How can we in tech apply ourselves and our experience to promote justice and transparency in the real world? Why don’t governments, media, and the population at large know the facts about crises like the Coronavirus pandemic and the racial justice issues that are shaking the United States and the world? And what can we do to help improve the situation?

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Today’s world is driven by software. Applications rule the tech space and they are increasingly relying on machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to make better, faster decisions. But there are some technologies that don’t really take full advantage of AI. Can an algorithm replace a person troubleshooting? Is something at is as much art as science able to leverage the power of a computer to get the job done? Is it true that AI Can’t Do Much For Wi-Fi?

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Pure Storage Spotlight: Orchestration is almost synonymous with containers nowadays. One popular opinion is that maybe the reason enterprises haven’t adopted containers quickly is that people are hungry for a way to orchestrate containers that fits into their overall environment. Is this the reason why containers have yet to be widely adopted? Follow this discussion, featuring Jon Owings - Principal Solution Architect at Pure Storage, and Cormac Hogan - Director and Chief Technologist at VMware, and decide for yourself.

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The world is encrypted today. Our traffic is being protected from beginning to end so our identities and data are safe. But how safe are we in reality? What about the traffic that we want to see? How can we protect against threats when everything is using TLS to hide from our tools? Is there a solution to figuring out how to see the unseen? Is encryption ruining network security?

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Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are extending the capabilities of our technology at a rapid pace. Or so we have been led to believe. But what is ML really giving us? What good is it to our enterprise? Is there a use case that shines above all others? Or is it just marketing fluff? This episode of the On-Premise IT Roundtable discusses how Anomaly Detection is the only good use of ML in the Enterprise.

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Pure Storage Spotlight: Those of us who have been following storage and server architecture are pretty excited about NVMe and various things over fabrics. So far, it’s been a challenge to bring NVMe-oF into the enterprise datacenter. Does the release of vSphere 7 mean that this technology is finally ready for prime time? Follow the discussion and decide for yourself.

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Lots of us are experiencing the joy of working from home right now and many people are also experiencing the fun of virtual events. How are these events working?

A quick non-official poll:

"I am never leaving my house again!"

"I despise virtual conferences."

"An in-person interaction can't bring more to the table than my computer screen and I can bring (to the kitchen table)."

"Events are a thing of the past and are being replaced with the almighty virtual option."

Who's right? Join us as we'll discuss the various ways in which we can weigh a virtual vs in-person event, and why there are some things that just can't be replaced.

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Computers never work. I can’t check my email. The Internet is always slow. No matter what I’m doing it seems like Information Technology is never the way I want it. Everything is completely broken. Or is it? Join us as we'll discuss the various ways in which IT can be operating properly but still not as users want and why there is a huge difference between slow and broken.

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Modern technology has focused on delivering value. The current shift away from hardware to software means that companies need to recognize how they deliver that value. In order to ensure they are responding to their customers’ needs in the best possible way, they need to charge appropriately for the features that are being used. So, we ask the panel today, if feature-based licensing for infrastructure a good thing?

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Enterprise AI seems to be a buzzword we are having trouble escaping. Is it following us, or just getting smart enough to know the paths we tread to shake it? The roundtable faces this pursuer and decides if we should take away its boastful title, call it something else, or if we have crossed the threshold far enough for it to lay claim to its moniker. Is Enterprise AI a bunch of BS? Follow the discussion and decide for yourself.

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Security will always be a bit of a treadmill that organizations need to keep moving on. But that treadmill got kicked into overdrive as a result of COVID-19. Organizations that seemingly had well-implemented security policies in place now have to account for everyone working from home. This changes the threat surface from devices used, to how traffic is routed, and often new services being brought online. So will COVID-19 be remembered as a security nightmare? The roundtable discusses the implications and why companies need to be focused on the humanity in their midst in order to stay secure.

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With many people working from home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, IT is faced with challenges of how it can fulfill its support mission while maintaining a safe physical distance. Certainly the proliferation of cloud services has changed the landscape considerably for a lot of organizations, removing some of the infrastructure that would otherwise need to be maintained by the organization. But cloud data centers, automated though they may largely be, still require physical footprints, and other support becomes much harder, if not impossible, when maintaining pandemic distancing. In this episode, the roundtable discusses how they've changed their IT support as a result of the pandemic, if it's possible to maintain distances while still providing effective IT, and what support challenges lay ahead as week of self-isolation turn into months.

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By now, we're all familiar with software-defined wide area network or SD-WAN. SD-WAN enables the use of multiple circuit types, including both MPLS and commodity broadband. Everyone knows how reliable MPLS can be. Can broadband reach that level of assurance? Given the history of using the technology with enterprise networks, our panel of experts debates the premise that commodity broadband is inferior to MPLS.

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The Premise: Backup is a Security Hole

Backing up data is standard practice and one that both companies and individuals take part in regularly. Having your data at your fingertips to be able to restore any potential loss and keep your forward movement is a must in all of our quick moving industries. How do you make sure that your backup protocols are taking into account proper security measures? How do you know if encryption is taking place? Is malware slipping into your snapshots and being replicated? Do your backups include data access that you shouldn’t have? With every copy of your data being a potential security risk, the question we tackle in this conversation at the On-Premise IT Roundtable is: Is backup a security hole?

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From a user's perspective, it can be argued that single pane of glass doesn't exist at all, and vendors who push this idea are never looking beyond their product. When users look at heterogeneous networks, there may be a single pane of glass for this and a single pane of glass for that, which ends up being 25+ panes of glass and not really solving anyone's problems. So how do we reconcile this chasm between the user and vendor perspectives? The question we tackle in this On-Premise IT Roundtable is: Is there such a thing as an all-in-one solution or is "single pane of glass" simply a myth?

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Data protection used to be pretty straightforward. In recent years, there have been a number of changes in enterprise backup. It's not necessarily that backup has changed, but systems and people have changed. In fact, many small and medium-sized businesses don't even have servers anymore. Now, we have different applications and different infrastructure, and we have to adjust our processes to accommodate new systems. In this episode, we're talking about backup. Specifically, the death of backup. If backup has no business value, is out of touch with the times, or doesn't exist anymore altogether, then what does data protection and recovery look like today? Listen and find out.

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Big data is on everyone's mind across IT, and the storage industry is no exception. For a while, Hadoop seemed ready to conquer the world with its promise of reliable, scalable, distributed computing. However the tide has seemingly turned away from the once ubiquitous yellow pachyderm. Big data is very much alive, but the roundtable discusses if the complexities inherent in the Hadoop stack mean it's fated for an untimely demise. Or will the still increasing investments in Hadoop by some customers keep it in the big data discussion for some time to come? And if Hadoop really is dead, are there any pieces that can find some new life in IT? Listen and find out. This episode is sponsored by Pure Storage.

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In this roundtable, Tom Hollingsworth discusses whether it's fundamentally unavoidable to work with toxic people in IT. First the panelists define what we mean by toxic in an IT context. Then they dig into why IT seems to have its fair share of people with toxic characteristics, and why the focus should be on the relationship between individuals, rather than singling out one party as being the problem. From there, they dig into how to work with such people, when too much is enough, and how to perhaps avoid falling into the trap of toxicity yourself.

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In this roundtable, Tom Hollingsworth leads a discussion about the premise that Wi-Fi monetization is bad. Some would argue that it's evil. If venues and businesses want to offer Wi-Fi, it should be treated the same way other utilities are. These all require a degree of expense to the business, but aren't added on as charges to customers. Keith Parsons uses the free, frictionless, and fast standard. Does that mean that everyone should offer free Wi-Fi all the time? And how does that fit into an organizations larger IT policy framework. The roundtable makes the case and digs into the details in this episode.

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Odds are that if you've been in IT for a while, you've been asked how many certifications you have. There's no doubt that these are valuable. Yet many IT pros still feel that they need a college degree to hang on the wall. The roundtable discusses if this is a legacy of times gone by, or if a college degree still holds a more important place than certifications. The panel includes a wide range of experiences, with IT careers build with and without degrees, as well as someone currently in college pursuing an IT career. It's a great conversation!

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We know that The Cloud is a real thing. But of the many things called The Cloud, each of them is remarkablly different. Features, capabilities, functions are vary wildly between them. Every organization is scrambling to figure out how to use the cloud, but is the promise of the cloud simply unachievable? Does the pursuit of multi-cloud mean that organizations must ignore whatever makes a cloud special, and turn it into simply someone else's infrastructure? The roundtable discusses in this episode. Thanks to NetApp for sponsoring this episode.

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There's a lot of talk about digital transformation, but are organizations actually achieving that, or are they simply changing IT practices to keep up with changing infrastructure. Should we even view digital transformation into a means in and of itself. And can non-digital companies actually transform, or are industries just going to replace obsolete players over time? In this episode, the roundtable discusses a lot of the nuance often lost in grand visions of digital transformation.

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In this bonus episode, we're joining Stephen Foskett as he talks with some of the original delegates and inspirations for the Tech Field Day event series. They discuss the event that gave Stephen the initial idea, a fortuitous plane ride, how the first Tech Field Day event went, where the idea for the live stream started and more. It's a great conversation and we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the event.

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Simplification may sound great and improve efficiency, but it always with it an increase in risk. This is because by abstracting away the complexity, you're also hiding potential faults in the system. The roundtable discusses if this is true, and if there's a way to lose some of the geek knobs without creating a risky environment.

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IPv6 is the next big thing in networking, it’s going to solve all of our network addressing issues. At least, that’s what it’s been promising for the last two decades. So why hasn’t it lived up to the hype? The roundtable discusses the idea that administration is the biggest holdup to overall IPv6 adoption. Be sure to listen to figure out how we can get the the bright, shiny, happy place that is IPv6.

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It's almost canonical wisdom is storage that you shouldn't put primary and secondary storage on the same storage system. Doing otherwise is just asking or trouble. But given the rapidly changing IT landscape and the emergence of the cloud, is that really true anymore? The roundtable breaks it down in this spirited discussion.

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On this episode, our roundtable discusses the premise that learning Kubernetes is a waste of time. With so many managed Kubernetes service available, actually learning the ins and outs of the obtuse orchestrator isn't necessary for the vast majority of organizations. They discuss the actual business value of managing Kubernetes, compare it to learning vSphere, and discuss what organizations should be investing time in.

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You don't have to follow the news very closely to find evidence of large scale security breaches. The sophistication, breadth, and sheer velocity of malicious hacks have reached a point that IT security simply can't keep up like it used to. The roundtable debates this subject, if the situation is truly hopeless, and how organizations can take a modern approach to IT security.

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It would be great if all our applications were cloud native to get the best cost, resilency, and architecture overall. But enterprises don't move that quickly. The cloud should offer services that work for existing applications that organizations want to get out of the data center but aren't going to refactor any time soon. The roundtable discusses the merits and why this isn't happening right now.

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Redesigns in wireless are done more for compulsive than technical need. When a new access point comes out, the entire wireless network doesn't need a redesign, other than to satisfy the need to tinker for those managing them. We discuss if and when a redesign is actually needed, why you need to consider what's driving your wireless refresh in the decision, and how to put a monetary value on defining a "pointless" redesign.

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We all know how traditional backup work, but SaaS is different. Since the software comes as a service, backup is just one of those services, right? The roundtable discusses this idea. Do current SaaS offering really provide backup? If they don't, should that even be their responsibility? And should you always want to be doing your own backup anyway? This was a really great discussion to get you thinking on the topic.

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The traditional office is dying. Since the rise of telecommuting in the 90s, less and less people need to be in the office. With open offices killing productivity, in the near term, we're going to see the traditional office become extinct. The roundtable debates how true this is, and what makes it worth it for a lot of organizations to still keep the office lights on.

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Value-added resellers (VARs) are often characterized as useless, adding a needless cost for something that should be sold direct to customers. In this On-Premise IT Roundtable, the panel discusses where the value actually gets added and what benefits VARs can still provide. It was an interesting discussion with a lot of different perspectives.

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On this episode, the roundtable discusses if IoT is making us less secure overall. They get into a discussion of what kind of attack surfaces IoT presents, whether these device impact privacy more than security, and why current IoT is based on a "no support" model.

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On this episode, the roundtable discusses if the framing of multi-cloud as an inevitable IT outcome is really accurate. Is multi-cloud just something being pushed by analysts and vendors with solutions to sell? If so, will it ultimately be a fad? They further discuss what they mean when they say multi-cloud, which further clarifies the premise.

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On this episode, the roundtable discusses data protection policy. The premise is that most organizations are doing this wrong. There's a fundamental misalignment between what IT thinks it needs to be doing and what the business needs for operations and compliance. They discuss who needs to be taking ownership of these policies, how storage vendors are partially responsible, and how to move forward.

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Today's show discusses when you can bring your personal life into IT. We discuss if doing so is just a way to reduce burnout, or if there is legitimate business value to be found. We touch on how to approach supposed "third rail" topics and more.

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Today's episode considers if people want cloud, or what the cloud actually does. In this case, we're looking at if a focus on providing services will eventually make the cloud irrelevant, since people don't really care about it. Or have the cloud providers created sufficient value-add services to solve business problems that make the cloud itself relevant, not just API-driven functions.

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Thanks to the growth of software-defined networking, a lot of network information that used to be unknown, is now known. But in order to get that information out of the network, you have to spend a lot of money on specialized hardware, software, and talent to program it all. Is it beyond the reach of most enterprises? Or is the cost of not knowing always greater? The roundtable discusses.

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Declaring the Death of Windows is always a great way to drum up some clicks. But today, the roundtable discusses whether Windows is just kind of beside the point for a modern Microsoft. The debate whether this means the end of Windows, the end of the beginning of the end of Windows, or just that Windows' role in Microsoft will fundamentally change.

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Changing your passwords frequently is the best way to keep accounts secure, right? Or does frequently changing passwords cause users to lean on easily predictable patterns that ultimately make things less secure? The roundtable discusses what the best approach is, whether two-factor authentication changes your approach, and what changes when considering personal vs organizational passwords.

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The monolithic storage array used to be the standard of storage, but it's time has come and gone... or has it? The roundtable discusses what specifically we mean when we talk about storage arrays, why they are increasingly irrelevant, and if their decline is permanent, or a temporary reaction to recent IT trends.

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Tom Hollingsworth leads a discussion around how important sensors are for analytics and data. Is network monitoring enough? What about something in software? Or is the added expense of a dedicated out-of-band physical sensor the price you have to pay? The roundtable is pretty evenly split on the subject, and discusses where each approach works best.

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In this episode, the roundtable discusses what impact 5G will have on traditional networking. They dig into why wireless is a more finite resource than wired networking, the difficulty of service degradation, and how to justify rolling out 5G for fixed end points.

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Stephen Foskett leads a discussion about how big of a change composable infrastructure is from the tried and true blade server.

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Stephen Foskett and the Roundtable discuss wether or not you should be running your own website. They weigh the pros and cons of each path and delve into the specifics of each.

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The roundtable discusses if data locality is important to storage administrators anymore. They discuss why it might matter for technological, regulatory, and organizational needs, and how those needs have changed over time.

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Enjoy this bonus IT Origins interview in the feed this week, we spoke with Senior Cloud Ops Advocate, podcaster, and oenophile, Phoummala Schmitt. We discuss how she came into an IT career from the fashion industry, why we're already living in a multi-cloud world, and when high availability in the cloud goes beyond a SLA.

The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win

IT Architect Series: The Journey A Guidebook for Anyone Interested in IT Architecture

Hit Refresh: The Quest to Rediscover Microsoft's Soul and Imagine a Better Future for Everyone

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The panel discusses where networking disaggregation is relevant in today's IT. Is it limited to just the largest organizations, or can even small IT teams enjoy its benefits? Or is scale less important than how an organization values the network itself? Join Tom Hollingsworth, Jordan Martin, Aaron Conaway, and Darrel Clute as they discuss.

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For this bonus podcast episode, we had the privilege to speak to Dremio CEO Tomer Shiran. We discussed how he got his start in IT, compare the tech scenes between Israel and Silicon Valley, and look at the value of over delivering in your career. They also discuss the importance of coffee in being an entrepreneur. It was a great discussion, enjoy!

The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers

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This week on the podcast, we have an interview with SolarWinds Head Geek Leon Adato, recorded on-premises from our lovely Hudson, Ohio offices. We discussed how Leon went from Theater major to working in tech education, what exactly a head geek does, and finishes with some great career advice. This episodes is sponsored by SolarWinds.

Accidental Empires: How the Boys of Silicon Valley Make Their Millions, Battle Foreign Competition, and Still Can't Get a Date

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The On-Premise IT Roundtable looks at the idea that IT burnout is inevitable. They discuss some of the underlying factors behind burnout, and why people attracted to IT might be susceptible. They also offer some insight into how they've coped with the issue, both from a self-employed consultant perspective, as well as working for a larger organization. Definitely an important discussion for any IT practitioner to consider.

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With Cisco Live US happening this week in Orlando, we decided to share a throwback episode featuring Rob Rodgers and Mils Swart of Skyport Systems. Skyport was recently acquired by Cisco in February. It'll be interesting to see how Cisco uses this talent to address the security concerns raised in this episode.

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For this bonus episode, enjoy our recent interview with Ted Dunning, Apache Software Foundation board member, and the Chief Application Architect at MapR.

Streaming Architecture: New Designs Using Apache Kafka and MapR Streams

Practical Machine Learning: Innovations in Recommendation

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Let's face it, AI gets thrown around a lot in the enterprise these days. It often gets conflated with Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and neural networks. But does the term actually mean anything? Are there solutions out there that actually qualify as AI? The roundtable debates.

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We recorded a great interview with Patric Palm of Favro and decided to put it in the podcast feed as a bonus episode. Enjoy!

Teeming: How Superorganisms Work Together to Build Infinite Wealth on a Finite Planet (and your company can too)

The Age of Agile: How Smart Companies Are Transforming the Way Work Gets Done

The Art of Action: How Leaders Close the Gaps between Plans, Actions, and Results

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The Premise: The efficiencies of network engineering will decimate engineering jobs.

The panel debates if this is true. They look at if this will happen across the board, if engineers will just become programmers going forward, or if automation will actually benefit network engineers down the road. And if automation does eliminate all these jobs, does it then become a pernicious form of support lock-in?

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On this episode, we're discussing Network Functions Virtualization, aka NFV. The roundtable discusses what exactly NFV is, how it differs from SDN, and if it's going to eat all specialized networking hardware. The discussion then turns into how changes in network design principles make NFV even more viable in the enterprise.

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An episode so nice, we share it twice. Throwing in a bonus episode to the feed. Had a great conversation with Karen Lopez for IT Origins. If you haven't already, be sure to listen to her appearance on the podcast with What is Big Data?

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On this roundtable, we're getting cloudy. The panelists discuss why it matters where your SaaS apps live, and not just depend on an SLA. This can impact not just business continuity and customer experience, but security and compliance as well.

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Enjoy this bonus IT Origins interview episode with Zachary Smith, CEO and Co-Founder of Packet. Our regularly schedule podcast will post April 10, 2018.

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Let's face it, your alerts stink. If you're finding lifehacks to deal with the amount of notifications you're receiving, you've already lost the battle. On this episode of the podcast, the roundtable discusses why we're drowning in notifications, how to better approach it, and why can't we actually get actionable alerts.

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The podcast that inspired it all! Today we're sharing the pilot episode of the On-Premise IT Roundtable, looking at terrible IT language. Does the name of our podcast drive you nuts? Do you cringe when someone asks you to "double-click" in conversation? Do you have opinions on how to pronounce BPDU? This is the episode for you.

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Bonus podcast episode! I had the privilege to talk to Dong Ngo, an IT consultant and writer at Dong Knows Tech. From 1999 through 2017, he was an Editor at CNET.com, covering the storage and networking beats. We talked about how his understanding of technology evolved since his childhood in Vietnam, to moving to San Francisco in the 1990s.

What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World

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Do words mean things? It depends on who you ask. Often the more technically minded IT folks like hard and fast definitions, while marketing tends to lend to a more "generous" interpretation of words. Do we need to rigidly enforce definitions, or are we resigned to an infinite regress into mutual unintelligibility? We're no stranger to this debate on Gestalt IT, but the panel sheds new light and perspective on this often frustrating premise.

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We dug back in the On-Premise IT Roundtable archives to bring you an episode originally recorded in 2016, but incredibly prescient today. The roundtable discusses how IT companies can differentiate in an age of increasing commoditization. They look at examples like DSSD, Kaminario, and SimpliVity as ways to differentiate hardware, albeit at a considerable expense of time and resources. They then turn to software, and discuss the wave of SDS products that turned out to be features. The discussion is fascinating because many of the trends identified in this discussion have now played out in one form or another.

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Bonus podcast episode! I had the privilege to talk to Matt Leib about how he got his start in IT, how the industry has changed since his Radio Shack days, and why the hybrid cloud is here to stay. It was a great conversation, enjoy the audio!

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In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth leads the roundtable in discussing the role of whitebox switching in enterprise networking.

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The On-Premise IT Roundtable has a bold premise for this episode: enterprise licensing models are interesting! The panel discusses why understanding licensing is vital for a modern data center as we move from CapEx to OpEx models.

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Do you like bonus podcast content? How about an audio interview with podcaster, engineer, and IT pro Allison Sheridan? We had a really great conversations touching on how she got started in IT and podcasting.

First, Break All the Rules: What the world's Greatest Managers Do Differently

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Intent-based networking is the new hotness, but what does it actually mean? In this episode, the panel discusses how it differs from older SDN ideas. IBN integrates an abstraction layer and orchestration into a system that identifies a single source of truth that isn't the network itself.

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On today's show, each of our roundtable panelists chose what was the hot ticket item of 2017. Tune in to hear their arguments why 2017 was the year of SD-WAN, HCI, Net Neutrality, or Data Management!

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On this episode, host Stephen Foskett talks with Mark May, Howard Marks, and Keith Townsend about what makes a failed startup. Are some concepts simply too early, or are there ideas whose time simply never arrives? They look at specific examples like Auspex Systems and Coho Data.

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Scale-out storage is great, but does it apply to all enterprise storage needs? The roundtable discusses the premise that all storage should be scale-out.

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The roundtable discusses the premise that the CLI is dead, or at least terminally ill. They look at why this is the prevailing narrative in networking and the greater IT landscape. Is the death of the CLI a forgone conclusion, or merely a framing device for moving to better processes in IT?

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Security is a dumpster fire, or is it somehow worse? Our esteemed guests discuss whether it's actually many dumpster fires or some other form of refuse conflagration. It's an invaluable and inflammable discussion.

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In this episode, the roundtable discusses the idea of technical debt. They look into why technical debt occurs, why it isn't always a bad thing, and how to possibly optimize for when to incur it.

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On this episode, we’ll be talking about a hot topic in the networking space, automation. The panel discusses why organizations see automation as prohibitively complex, what exactly they mean by automation, and why it isn’t coming for their jobs.

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On this episode, we take a look at how managed services have changed from the 90s to today. Why was something so essential and pervasive in IT today so hard to do a few decades ago? The panel has a wealth of industry experience from back then, and they share their stories from being on the front lines.

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Cloud lock-in, sounds bad right? Well on this episode, the roundtable takes a detailed look at the actual impact of lock-in with public and private cloud providers. They look at how this impacts business agility, innovation, and overall company strategy.

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With all the hyperbolic claims of what the cloud can do for IT, what the cloud actually means gets lost in the process. The roundtable looks at what cloud actually means in the modern enterprise. This includes the changes in workflows that need to happen to successfully migrate to the cloud. They go on to frame the cloud's influences historically within other industries.

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The Internet of Things is already proliferating a number of connected devices into our lives. But as these devices increasingly become abandoned, they turn into security liabilities. The panel discusses the causes, implications, and solutions for IoT Abandonware.

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The roundtable discusses how NVMe is impacting the storage industry. Is this just an iteration on what we've already seen with flash, or does it represent a sea change that will fundamentally change IT?

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Is Kubernetes simply benefiting from the first mover advantage, or does it have the force to stay the dominant container orchestrator in the enterprise for years to come? The roundtable discusses.

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IT professionals spend years learning how to manage the complex infrastructure that organizations depend on. But they often spend far less time thinking about how to manage their careers. The roundtable takes on this topic, looking into dealing with imposter syndrome, knowing your own worth, and how to navigate these potentially problematic waters.

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Caching and tiering have been abused by marketing in enterprise IT, often used interchangeably, or simply when not applicable. Luckily, we've got a table, it's round, and surrounded by storage experts. They'll explain the technical differences between caching and tiering, how to identify which is being used, and what are the performance implications of each.

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To be clear, the answer to "what is big data?" isn't the On-Premise IT Roundtable. Nevertheless, our panelists discuss what exactly they mean when they use the term, why it's the new hotness, and how they've seen it impact organizations.

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Intel isn't known as a networking company, but they think they have a play in the network functions virtualization market. The round table discusses what future Intel has in the space, and how they compete with more historic players in the market.

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In the light of the vSphere 6.5 release, moderator Stephen Foskett asks the roundtable about the impact of VMware integrated containers. This runs on Photon OS , a lightweight Linux distribution that runs a single container. What is the impact of this integration, in terms of security, training, and administration? And more importantly, does the industry need vSphere butting into the container space?

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On tap for today's roundtable, the panel discusses the state of locations and beacons. Moderator Stephen Foskett asks the panel to consider how location services factor into the greater enterprise mobility landscape. This goes from using beacons to give turn-by-turn navigation indoors to using location to cue print jobs. Often the backend of these application has been available for a while, but now new use cases are emerging.

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Moderator Stephen Foskett poses a completely non-controversial question: is DevOps a load of crap? Does DevOps just turn into NoOps? What are these darn kids doing with our infrastructure? The roundtable debates all these questions and more.

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Welcome to the inaugural On-Premise IT Roundtable podcast! This episode, we've gathered our esteemed panel to discuss software-defined wide area networking, SD-WAN. In this emerging market, how do you compare the various offerings in the space? Is the market bound for consolidation, or will it remain full of vibrant competition? And how does the ease of use of SD-WAN impact the market for network professionals?

The On-Premise IT Roundtable: Recent Episodes

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