Feeling like a Puppet
Jeff McLaughlin shares his experiences transitioning from Cisco to Juniper Networks, highlighting the challenges he faced while learning about network programmability and Puppet. He describes how he grappled with presenting Puppet’s integration with Nexus devices at Networking Field Day 11 shortly after changing companies, despite his initial unfamiliarity with the technology. McLaughlin reflects on the irony of mastering Puppet for a single presentation, overcoming his public speaking fears, and never using the tool again, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of tech careers and the value of adaptability.
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The AI-Powered Mainframe: Broadcom’s WatchTower Redefines Observability
Broadcom has introduced WatchTower, an AI-driven observability tool designed to transform mainframe management by enhancing monitoring and increasing operational efficiencies. Using artificial intelligence, WatchTower delivers essential insights, helping IT teams improve performance, address issues proactively, and enhance system reliability. This advancement signifies a pivotal shift in mainframe operations, aiming to streamline processes and reduce the workload on IT staff, enabling businesses to maximize the potential of their mainframe systems. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Marian Newsome following the Broadcom presentation at Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE Kansas City 2024!
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The AI-Powered Mainframe: Broadcom's WatchTower Redefines Observability
The Future is Bright: Mainframes & Innovation!
In the latest episode of Tech Aunties, hosts Gina Rosenthal and Marian Newsome explore the evolving role of mainframes, underscored by their experiences at the Share Conference in Kansas City. They discuss the integration of AI and machine learning with mainframe technologies and address the generational transfer of knowledge within the industry. The episode wraps up with a call to action for those affected by layoffs to consider opportunities in mainframes, highlighting the sector’s significance and ongoing innovation.
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The Future is Bright: Mainframes & Innovation!
What’s Causing a Skills Shortage in Mainframe?
Sulagna Saha of Gestalt IT discusses a growing skills gap in the mainframe IT sector that risks impacting businesses depending on this technology. Factors contributing to the shortage include the sector’s outdated image, insufficient training programs, and the allure of newer technologies for tech talents. She emphasizes the need for increased training investments and educational reforms to attract and prepare new candidates for crucial mainframe roles, underscoring the importance of modernizing perceptions of mainframe technology. Read more and watch the delegate discussion from SHARE Kansas City 2024!
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What’s Causing a Skills Shortage in Mainframe?
An AI-Infused Experience for New Mainframe Talents, with BMC AMI
BMC is addressing the challenge of updating mainframe environments by integrating modern AI technologies through its Automated Mainframe Intelligence (AMI) platform, aiming to close the gap between seasoned and emerging mainframe professionals. The AMI platform enhances user engagement with features like single sign-on, real-time responses, and adaptive learning mechanisms, leveraging AI to streamline interactions and automate tasks. This initiative not only modernizes mainframe operations but also plays a critical role in facilitating the digital transformation of legacy systems, empowering a new generation of mainframe experts. Read more in this article for Gestalt IT by Sulagna Saha, inspired by the BMC presentation at Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE Kansas City 2024.
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An AI-Infused Experience for New Mainframe Talents, with BMC AMI
Cisco Talks Wi-Fi 7 MLO Security at MFD11
At Mobility Field Day 11, Cisco’s Nick Swiatecki presented the intricacies of security in Wi-Fi 7, with a focus on Multi-Link Operation (MLO) security enhancements. He stressed the importance of uniform Authentication and Key Management across all bands to ensure seamless client transitions, and also introduced additional, advanced AKMs tailored for Wi-Fi 7 environments. These insights underscore the increasing complexity in network management needed to adapt to new standards like Wi-Fi 7, pointing towards a future where engineers must continually adapt to maintain effective security frameworks. Read more in this article by Mark Houtz.
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Cisco Talks Wi-Fi 7 MLO Security at MFD11
The Tech Aunties go to SHARE
Gina Rosenthal and Marian Newsome attended the Tech Field Day presentations at SHARE in Kansas City. They discussed topics like DevOps, generative AI, system management, and mainframe modernization. They are particularly interested in the modernization of mainframes and the potential for integrating AIOps and containers with mainframes. They discuss the historical significance of mainframes and the possibility of moving data between mainframes and the cloud. They also mention plans to attend sessions on IBM’s Watson X and AI on mainframes, and the importance of educating younger generations about these technologies. Listen to The Tech Aunties podcast for more!
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Tech Field Day Session Recap: #3 Broadcom
Derek Britton recaps Broadcom’s Tech Field Day session at the SHARE conference in Kansas City, focusing on their observability solution, WatchTower. This tool is designed to simplify the identification and resolution of critical incidents in mainframe environments by leveraging machine learning and automation. WatchTower aims to consolidate various tasks and tools into a single platform, tailored to the needs of different user roles, and integrates with other enterprise IT tools like ServiceNow and DataDog. The session highlighted Broadcom’s attention to user personas and their efforts to unify observability across hybrid infrastructures. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article!
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Tech Field Day Session Recap: #3 Broadcom
AI as We Know It is Just a Fad
Although AI is certain to transform society, not to mention computing, what we know if it is unlikely to 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.
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AI as We Know It is Just a Fad
5G Factor: Arrcus, T-Mobile, Ericsson Boost 5G Readiness
In this episode of the 5G Factor by The Futurum Group, Ron Westfall and Tom Hollingsworth discuss recent partnerships between Arrcus, T-Mobile, and Ericsson. They highlight pivotal advancements in 5G readiness, signaling a direction towards increased capacity and customized network solutions. Arrcus’s recent $30 million funding boost, notably supported by NVIDIA, is set to enhance its ACE platform focusing on optimizing 5G networks through a microservices architecture. Meanwhile, T-Mobile’s launch of the Partner Plus program and Ericsson’s push for differentiated 5G services outline industry efforts to improve network efficiency, security, and monetization in the growing 5G landscape. This recording followed Arrcus’ presentation at Networking Field Day 35 last month.
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5G Factor: Arrcus, T-Mobile, Ericsson Boost 5G Readiness
Mainframe Modernization with PopUp Mainframe
PopUp Mainframe is revolutionizing the mainframe sector by providing modernization solutions that enhance flexibility and reduce operational costs. Their offerings include rapid, on-demand development and testing environments that integrate seamlessly with cloud infrastructures, matching the capabilities of physical mainframes. By leveraging IBM’s z/OS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, PopUp Mainframe addresses legacy challenges and boosts data management efficiency, vital for sectors like banking and telecommunications. Read more in this Gestalt IT article by Sulagna Saha following their presentation at Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE in Kansas City.
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Mainframe Modernization with PopUp Mainframe
TechFieldDay Session Recap #2: PopUp Mainframe
At the Tech Field Day event at the SHARE conference, PopUp Mainframe showcased its innovative solution for on-demand mainframe environments, allowing organizations to create and deploy mainframes quickly and flexibly, both on-premises and in the cloud. By addressing bottlenecks in mainframe development and testing, PopUp enables agile project delivery, reduces hardware costs, and integrates seamlessly with standard DevOps toolchains. CEO Gary Thornhill highlighted the ability to set up fully functional mainframe environments in just minutes, making it a game-changer for organizations needing to accelerate their mainframe delivery cycles. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Derek Britton.
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TechFieldDay Session Recap #2: PopUp Mainframe
Building Quantum-Resistant Encryption Systems, with Cisco
Sulagna Saha recently wrote about Cisco’s presentation at Tech Field Day Extra at Cisco Live US 2024, highlighting Cisco’s pivotal role in shaping quantum-resistant technologies to fortify encryption against emerging quantum threats. Cisco’s development of quantum switches, a Quantum Network Design Kit Simulator, and a Quantum Random Number Generator underlines its commitment to pioneering quantum network infrastructure. This initiative not only secures existing encryption methods from quantum computing risks but also advances the fields of cryptography and distributed computing.
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Building Quantum-Resistant Encryption Systems, with Cisco
TechFieldDay Session Recap: BMC
In a recent Tech Field Day session, BMC presented the firm’s strategic initiatives focused on boosting IT management efficiency through advanced automation and AI/ML integration. They discussed the transformative impact of cloud computing in IT and how BMC’s tailored solutions are designed to streamline operations and enhance both performance and user experience. This presentation highlighted BMC’s proactive stance on addressing the ongoing challenges faced by IT professionals in the modern enterprise landscape. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Field Day delegate Derek Britton.
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TechFieldDay Session Recap: BMC
Broadcom WatchTower – Observability Data Tailored for Every Role
Broadcom has introduced the WatchTower Platform during Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE 2024, a sophisticated observability tool designed specifically for mainframe environments, utilizing machine learning to provide tailored data visibility based on user roles. This customization facilitates quicker and more accurate problem-solving, featuring capabilities like alert clustering, infrastructure topology mapping, and insightful machine learning-driven analytics. Available for both on-premises and public cloud environments, WatchTower exemplifies Broadcom’s commitment under CEO Hock Tan to enhance its presence in the vital mainframe market.
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Broadcom WatchTower – Observability Data Tailored for Every Role
AI Has A Place In Networking Operations
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.
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AI Has A Place In Networking Operations
The Interchanging Roles of Hardware and Software in Fueling Innovation
In this Gestalt IT article, Sulagna Saha reacts to a delegate discussion at Networking Field Day 35 focused on the interdependent dynamics between hardware and software in propelling technological innovation. She notes how cloud technologies and subscription models are boosting software sales, while hardware remains vital in fields like AI and machine learning. Saha emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between the two, where software amplifies hardware’s capabilities and demand, underscoring hardware’s enduring foundational role in technology’s evolution.
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The Interchanging Roles of Hardware and Software in Fueling Innovation
Intel IPU – Unlocking the Power of Functional Isolation
Intel’s innovative Infrastructure Processing Unit (IPU) addresses the challenges in traditional CPU designs in cloud platforms, enhancing efficiency in resource management. This technology supports functional isolation and boosts security by enabling the segregation of processing tasks between CPUs and enhanced Network Interface Cards (NICs), freeing up CPU resources for more application-focused tasks. This article by Sulagna Saha at Gestalt IT details the adoption of IPUs based on Intel’s presentation at Networking Field Day 35.
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Intel IPU – Unlocking the Power of Functional Isolation
Act on the Highest Priority Cyber Incidents with Speed and Success, with Cisco XDR
Cisco XDR enhances cybersecurity operations by implementing the OODA loop decision-making framework to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Security Operations Centers (SOCs). The system streamlines the process of identifying, prioritizing, and responding to cyber threats by aggregating data from various security tools and using analytics to automate responses. By focusing on high-priority incidents and adapting swiftly to new challenges, Cisco XDR fundamentally transforms incident management in SOCs. Read more in this article by Sulagna Saha for Gestalt IT following Cisco’s presentation at Tech Field Day Extra at Cisco Live.
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Act on the Highest Priority Cyber Incidents with Speed and Success, with Cisco XDR
Scaling Up with AI and Network Observability: cPacket’s Technological Leap
cPacket is using AI and network observability to help manage and improve networks more effectively. Their AI algorithm can quickly analyze lots of network data in real-time to find patterns and problems that might be missed with manual monitoring. cPacket’s solutions work across different types of networks, like physical or virtualized ones, to help operators keep track of performance and security. Read more in Jeffrey Powers’ recent LinkedIn Pulse article following Networking Field Day 35.
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Scaling Up with AI and Network Observability: cPacket's Technological Leap
