Tom Hollingsworth recently explored whether Cisco Live continues to be a vital hub for networking professionals seeking to stay current in the ever-evolving tech landscape. He examines the event’s enduring value, focusing on its educational sessions, networking opportunities, and powerful keynote presentations. Extensive coverage of Cisco Live for over a decade by Tom Hollingsworth can be found on his blog.
MLO is a Lie
One of the most anticipated features of Wi-Fi 7 isn’t ready for the public. Worse yet, it may never deliver on the promise of fast, reliable wireless connectivity. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Allyn Crowe, Peter Mackenzie, and Chris Reed as they discuss the way that multi-link operation (MLO) has been included in the specification for Wi-Fi 7 yet not quite implemented. They highlight the technical difficulties of deploying such a complicated protocol and how vendors are trying to squeeze every drop of performance out of their hardware. They wrap up with advice on whether or not to plan your next deployment around a technology that isn’t quite ready yet.
User-Centric Connectivity Has to Innovate
Modern networking is being disrupted in the data center but user-facing networking has largely stagnated. Users are getting slightly faster connections but everything feels mostly the same. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Sam Clements and Ed Weadon as they discuss innovation in the edge of the network. They talk about how companies like Cisco have been trying to bring users into the modern era. They talk about the centralization of management in the cloud and how competition has driven those moves. They also look ahead to Cisco Live and discuss the releases they would most like to see at the event.
Have A Classy Time with Tech Field Day Extra at Cisco Live US 2025
Hello San Diego! We’re thrilled to be back once again with great content headed your way courtesy of Tech Field Day Extra!. We’re hoping the June Gloom stays away so we can shine a light on some wonderful presenters and get some great questions from our amazing delegates. You’re not going to want to miss […]
Compliance Does Not Equal Security
Compliance reinforces the state of security in your organization. However, compliance in and of itself is not security. In this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Jack Poller and Milou Meier as they discuss the nuance between securing your organization and ensuring compliance. They discuss the challenges with audits and the “checkbox” mentality that has become common. They also discuss how organizations face different challenges globally and how you can help ensure that you aren’t being exposed to problems in the future.
Exploring the Future of Cybersecurity at Security Field Day 13
The first Security Field Day event of the year is finally here! We’re excited to bring you Security Field Day 13 live from Silicon Valley. This event combines a number of trends in the cybersecurity and data protection spaces to bring you information you need to keep your users safe and sound. Security Field Day […]
Wi-Fi is Fast Enough
Modern Wi-Fi connections rely on more than just raw throughput to measure performance. The complexity of wireless as a medium makes the user experience more varied and creates difficulties in troubleshooting. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Keith Parsons, Rocky Gregory, and Ron Westfall as they discuss the state of Wi-Fi and how performance works. They talk about the challenges with properly designed wireless networks and how data sheets make assumptions about the environment. They also discuss user expectations for performance and how workflows involve many moving parts that can impact overall user experiences.
Measuring Wi-Fi 7 Outcomes Through Users
In his latest analysis, Tom Hollingsworth focuses on the potential impacts of Wi-Fi 7 technology on user experiences. He examines how the enhanced capabilities of Wi-Fi 7, such as increased speed and bandwidth, could significantly improve connectivity and productivity for users. For further insights into Wi-Fi innovations presented at Mobility Field Day 13, explore additional content by Tom Hollingsworth.
Virtual Networks are Air Gapped
The definition of traditional security technologies must evolve to meet new use cases. Networks that use virtual constructs to segregate traffic are just as air gapped as physical separation. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Carole Warner Reece, John Osmon, and Jason Gintert discuss why the standard for hyper secure systems has always been physical separation. They look at how the terminology is being changed to support new use cases with virtual separation and whether or not those new networks can meet the high standards of the older versions. They also discuss the need for precision in terminology and how to avoid falling back on marketing terms that can create confusion with unsuspecting consumers.
Key Takeaways from Networking Field Day 37: AI, Cybersecurity, and the Future of Networks
Tom Hollingsworth provides key insights from Networking Field Day 37, focusing on the latest advancements in AI, cybersecurity, and network technologies. He highlights how these sectors are intersecting more than ever, driving new strategies for network architecture and security. Watch this video for Tom’s overall Networking Field Day takeaways!
Meeting Community Needs With the USNUA
Tom Hollingsworth recently highlighted the impactful initiatives of the USNUA (United States Network Users Association), an organization dedicated to addressing the unique challenges and requirements of the networking community. Through collaborative efforts and shared knowledge, the USNUA aims to foster a supportive environment where practical solutions and advancements can thrive. For further insights into Networking Field Day 37, you can explore additional articles by Tom Hollingsworth on our site.
The Return of Networking Field Day
Tom Hollingsworth provides an overview of Networking Field Day 37, including presentations by BT, Versa, and Selector. He highlights the event’s focus on the latest trends in networking technology, including advances in SD-WAN, network security, and cloud networking. For a comprehensive exploration of Networking Field Day 37, see more coverage by Tom Hollingsworth on Gestalt IT.
Cisco Unveils Cloud-Native Zero-Trust Network Access Solution
At Cisco Live EMEA, Cisco introduced a new cloud-native solution for Zero-Trust Network Access, aimed at enhancing security frameworks for various organizations by leveraging cloud scalability and flexibility. This advancement underscores Cisco’s commitment to evolving cybersecurity measures by integrating more adaptive and robust access controls to protect network resources. For additional insights on this topic, explore coverage by Tom Hollingsworth on Gestalt IT.
Not All AI Infrastructure Is The Same
Enterprises require vastly different infrastructure for AI. When building your next network, you need to understand what is required in order to achieve specific outcomes. In this episode of the Tech Field Day podcast, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Scott Robohn, Brad Gregory, and Ron Westfall to discuss the various different types of AI infrastructure. They talk about inferencing and models as well as how to effectively utilize what you currently have. They also discuss what to look for when buying new equipment and how best to put it to use in order to maximize return on investment.
The Return of Networking Field Day
Networking Field Day is back! One of most popular events is bringing you the latest edition with a great lineup of companies to discuss the latest in technology when it comes to moving bits back and forth. The topics will be diverse and we hope that you’re ready to strap in for the ride.
Technical Management is Not Real Management
Being a manager of a technical team is harder than regular management because of the balance required to be both a leader and contributor. In this episode, Zoe Rose, Dominik Pickhardt, and David Penaloza join Tom Hollingsworth to discuss the challenges of being a manager of a technical team. They talk about promoting good talent into management and the shift in thinking required to be a team leader and not just a high performer. They also discuss the soft skills needed to be a good manager and how those can be developed through training.
Kicking Off The Year with Tech Field Day Extra at Cisco Live EMEA 2025
Tom Hollingsworth provides a preview of what to expect from the Tech Field Day Extra event at Cisco Live EMEA 2025. You can find additional coverage of Tech Field Day Extra at Cisco Live by the Tech Field Day delegates right here at Gestalt IT.
Data is Making the Enterprise Network Better
The amount of data that has been unearthed in the network over the past few years is astounding. We now have access to more information that we could ever hope to want about the status of packets transiting through the enterprise. But is this data causing networks to be more complex? In this episode of the Tech Field Day podcast, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Pieter-Jan Nefkens, Matyas Prokop, and Dominik Pickhardt as they explore the rise in data-centric network design. They discuss the drivers behind the need for more focused deployments and how access to this amount of data is creating challenges for operations teams. They also look at how security plays a role in the amount of information gathered and what happens to it after it is collected.
Kicking Off The Year with Tech Field Day Extra at Cisco Live EMEA 2025
We may only be a few weeks into 2025 but we’re ready to bring you more great Tech Field Day content! We will once more be broadcasting live from Amsterdam as we kick off Tech Field Day Extra at Cisco Live EMEA 2025. There are lots of exciting technology announcements that you’re not going to want to miss.
6 GHz Will Help IoT Adoption
The expansion of wireless spectrum technologies is affording new opportunities for growth. Existing areas are becoming more crowded as devices become more prevalent. This includes not only user devices but Internet of Things (IoT) as well. In this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Cheryl Connell, Ron Westfall, and Jason Beshara as they discuss how the growth of IoT has caused contention in the current Wi-Fi spaces. They also discuss how the opening of the 6 GHz spectrum band has the potential to create more room for growth, provided device manufacturers adopt these new areas with the guidelines the bring.