Quick Takes 12-10-2024

Peter Welcher takes a look at some stories in networking, including the Arista presentation at Networking Field Day 36. Arista, known for datacenter switches, is expanding into campus use with micro-segmentation, automation, observability, and CloudVision. Their new campus switch stacking allows for flexible management of up to 16 switches per logical stack. Welcher also looks at Graphiant’s Backbone As A Service positioning, and Cisco’s acquisition of Isovalent in this LinkedIn Pulse article.


Arista Networks’ Visibility Goal with CloudVision

In her latest article for Gestalt IT, Sulagna Saha delves into Arista Networks’ strategic advancements with CloudVision, particularly in enhancing network visibility and orchestration. She discusses how CloudVision is designed to provide real-time, granular insights into network operations, catering to the demands of modern enterprises for efficient network management. Saha also outlines the implications of such advancements for network administrators and the potential for streamlined workflows and improved network reliability. Watch for more Networking Field Day 36 coverage on Gestalt IT!


Demo of Arista CloudVision automation workflow

Steve Puluka recently shared a video of Arista CloudVision, highlighting its potent automation workflow capabilities. The demonstration showcases how CloudVision can streamline network operations by automating tasks across physical and virtual network devices. This tool is pivotal for IT professionals looking to enhance network efficiency and reliability through advanced automation and simplified management processes. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article inspired by the Arista presentation at Networking Field Day 36!


Arista Does Micro-Segmentation

Peter Welcher, in his discussion on Arista’s foray into micro-segmentation, elaborates on how the company is enhancing network security by implementing refined policies that intelligently control and restrict network traffic within a data center. He highlights Arista’s application of its EOS (Extensible Operating System) and CloudVision as pivotal technologies in achieving efficient micro-segmentation which allows for more granular control of traffic, improved visibility, and heightened security. Welcher notes that Arista’s strategic focus on simplicity and scalability in its security approach positions it as a significant player in managing network traffic and safeguarding sensitive data in complex enterprise environments. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article inspired by the Arista presentation at Networking Field Day 26!


A Flexible Approach to Campus-Wide Zero-Trust Networking

Bob McCouch explores the imperative adoption of Zero-Trust networking principles across campus environments, arguing for a flexible approach that accommodates varying organizational needs and technologies. He emphasizes the importance of robust identity verification, segmentation, and ongoing monitoring to ensure secure access and mitigate potential threats. McCouch’s insights highlight practical strategies and frameworks that can be customized to enhance security postures effectively in diverse campus settings. Read more coverage of Arista Networks presentation at Networking Field Day 36 on LinkedIn Pulse!


Advancing the Industry at Networking Field Day 36

Tom Hollingsworth announces Networking Field Day 36, which spotlights key innovations and strategies in the network technology industry. Watch live on Wednesday and Thursday as Meter, Arista, Itential, Aviz, Path Solutions, and Elisity present to our panel of delegates.


Arista Highlights the Power of AI

Justin Warren illuminates Arista’s emphasis on leveraging artificial intelligence to transform enterprise networking. In his detailed analysis, Warren showcases how Arista’s innovative use of AI not only enhances network efficiency and security but also equips businesses to manage the increasing complexity of modern IT infrastructures. His insights explore the strategic alignment of Arista’s AI initiatives with current industry demands, positioning the company at the forefront of network technology evolution. Read more in this article by Justin Warren following Arista’s presentation at AI Field Day 5.


Looking Forward To NFD36!

In this LinkedIn Pulse article, Peter Welcher expresses his anticipation for the upcoming Networking Field Day event. He highlightes the significance of the event as a platform for in-depth technical discussions and insights into the latest trends and advancements in network technology. Welcher also shared his enthusiasm for engaging with other experts and thought leaders during the event, contributing to the ongoing dialogue about innovations in the field and gives a preview of the six presenters announced so far.


The Rise of AI Networking: How Arista is Evolving Data Center Infrastructure

In this LinkedIn Pulse article, Jack Poller discusses AI networking. He focuses on Arista’s evolving role in data center infrastructure, discussing how their cutting-edge technologies are setting new industry standards. Poller highlights Arista’s integration of AI into their networking solutions, enhancing automation, analytics, and performance, fundamentally transforming data center operations. This evolution is poised to meet the growing demands for more efficient and robust data handling capabilities in increasingly AI-driven environments. This article was written following Arista’s presentation at AI Field Day 5.


Arista Networks Unifies Management of Compute and Network Fabrics With EOS-Based AI Agent

In this Techstrong AI article, Sulagna Saha provides insights into Arista Networks’ latest innovation, a unified management system for compute and network fabrics, powered by an EOS-based AI agent. This new development allows for simplified operations and enhanced efficiency by integrating AI into their Extensible Operating System (EOS). The article highlights Arista’s strategic advancement in network technology aiming to streamline network and compute operations across various platforms and follows Arista’s presentation at AI Field Day 5.


Techstrong Gang – September 17, 2024

Stephen Foskett was a guest on the Techstrong Gang on September 17, where he discussed his observations from AI Field Day 5. Stephen provided an overview of AI Field Day, emphasizing its focus on practical applications of AI, such as productizing large language models (LLMs) and the development of AI agents that can automate processes, moving past the limited scope of chatbots. He also discussed advances in networking from Cisco and Arista, the radical new Ethernet fabric solution from Enfabrica, and the agentic AI platform created by Integrail.


Hyperscale AI networks with Arista at AI Field Day

Arista Networks highlighted the need for enhanced network infrastructures at AI Field Day, focusing on the challenges of supporting complex AI models with higher bandwidth and lower power consumption. They introduced innovative solutions like Distributed Etherlink Switches to manage congestion and low-power optics to boost bandwidth, aimed at large-scale AI networks prevalent in heavy GPU environments. Additionally, Arista showcased their Cloud Vision management system, which leverages AI to simplify network operations, proving their dedication to evolving network technologies in accordance with the growing demands of AI workloads. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Alastair Cooke, who attended the Arista presentation at AI Field Day 5.


Arista Highlights the Power of AI

At AI Field Day 5, Arista Networks underscored the significant hurdles in deploying GPU clusters for AI training, highlighting issues like the immense power consumption driven by high data transfer demands ranging from 800Gb/s to 1.6 terabits for GPU communications. Arista suggested a shift towards energy-efficient linear pluggable optics to mitigate power consumption issues and discussed management of heat generation, noting the partial benefits of liquid cooling solutions but emphasizing that these do not fully address the broader environmental impacts. The company pointed out the urgent need for efficiency improvements in the computing industry to navigate upcoming operational and environmental challenges. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Justin Warren, who attended the Arista presentation at AI Field Day 5.


The Shifting Focus of AI at AI Field Day 5

AI Field Day 5 is coming on September 11-13, reflecting the shift in enterprise AI from large-scale models to practical applications, including vector databases and agentic AI. The event will gather industry leaders like Cisco, VMware, Keysight, and Arista to explore real-world applications, AI-ready infrastructures, and private AI solutions. Attendees will also hear from companies like Integrail, Elastic, and Enfabrica to learn about next-generation AI capabilities. Tune in live on LinkedIn or Techstrong TV!


CTS 335: Live Demo of MLO at MFD11

This video from Mobility Field Day 11 features a discussion with Rowell Dionicio and Francois Verges discussing Arista’s demonstration of Managed LAN Optimisation (MLO), showcasing its efficiency in network management. They got an in-depth look at MLO’s capabilities to streamline and optimize network performance through real-time adjustments and monitoring. This demonstration highlighted the practical applications and benefits of MLO for IT professionals tasked with maintaining robust and reliable network infrastructures.


Arista Networks Refreshes CloudVision AGNI With New Feature Set

Arista Networks has introduced a new suite of features for CloudVision AGNI, enhancing the platform’s network visibility and analytics capabilities, as detailed by Sulagna Saha on Gestalt IT following Mobility Field Day 11. This update signifies a leap forward in simplifying network operations with advanced telemetry and automation designed to meet modern networking demands. The refreshed CloudVision AGNI demonstrates Arista’s ongoing commitment to providing sophisticated tools for managing today’s cloud-driven network environments.


Arista Does Wi-Fi?

Kevin Franzen explores the surprising entry of Arista, a company traditionally associated with high-performance networking for data centers, into the Wi-Fi arena. Arista’s expansion into wireless technology signifies their commitment to providing comprehensive networking solutions that span from the data center to the access point. Franzen’s article sheds light on how Arista’s strengths in cloud networking and software-defined networking could translate into innovative Wi-Fi offerings. Read more in this Mobility Field Day article on LinkedIn Pulse!


From Wireless Field Day to Self-Driving Networks: A Decade of Innovation and Community in Wireless Technology

In this LinkedIn Pulse article, Drew Lentz reflects on a decade of progress in wireless technology, recounting the journey from the inception of Wireless Field Day to the current era of self-driving networks. This period marks significant advancements in network automation and AI, transforming how wireless infrastructures are managed and optimized. Lentz celebrates the community’s role in fostering innovation and knowledge sharing, highlighting how collective efforts have shaped the wireless industry’s evolution.


Enterprise Wi-Fi Flexes While Big Players Try to Join In. My Key Themes and Takeaways From Mobility Field Day 11

Drew Lentz shares his key themes and takeaways from Mobility Field Day 11 in this LinkedIn Pulse article, highlighting the dynamic evolution of enterprise Wi-Fi as larger players make concerted efforts to enter the market. His article encapsulates the innovations and challenges currently shaping the wireless industry, as well as the strategic shifts by established companies to stay competitive. The insights offered reveal a rapidly progressing enterprise Wi-Fi landscape, underscored by technological advancements and market consolidations.


Culture of Quality – a Refreshing View From Arista’s Ken Duda

Keith Parsons offers a glimpse into Arista’s dedication to a culture of quality through the insights of Ken Duda in his recent LinkedIn Pulse article. Duda’s approach underlines the importance of meticulous engineering and customer-centric support as the cornerstone of Arista’s business ethos. The piece provides a refreshing perspective on how a relentless focus on quality can drive a company’s success and distinguish it within the competitive tech industry.