Tom Hollingsworth explores the nuanced relationship between automation and pre-existing systems. He argues that while automation can expedite processes and reduce errors, it doesn’t necessarily improve or fundamentally change a system with inherent issues. He suggests that instead of investing valuable time in automating a flawed system, resources could be more effectively spent on reengineering the processes in a way that truly solves underlying issues and generates more value.
Finishing Strong With Networking Field Day 33
Tech Field Day is back with the final Networking Field Day event of 2023, live on October 25 and 26, and featuring presentations from Graphiant, Cisco, RG Nets, Nokia, Fortinet, and Intel. Tom Hollingsworth and company anticipate exciting updates on growth, debut products, and new technology advancements in areas like SD-WAN, SASE, optical networking, digital experience monitoring, and sustainable networking solutions. The event will stream live on LinkedIn and the Networking Field Day 33 event page, encouraging audience engagement and inquiries.
Things are Heating Up for Tech Field Day Extra at VMware Explore
We’ve been attending VMware’s in-person conferences for over a decade learning more about VMware’s products and technology every year. We also look forward to connecting with their ecosystem partners and building connections with the vibrant community there. We’re happy to arrange interviews, record videos, and even host Tech FieldDay sessions on site with our fellow attendees, including presentations from VMware and AMD. Watch for some great Tech Field Day content on Tuesday August 22nd and Wednesday August 23rd.
Life on the Edge – a Roundtable Discussion
Some of the biggest discussions happening in IT are around edge computing. Based on a roundtable discussion from the recent Networking Field Day event, this article throws light on what IT insiders think of this new computing paradigm, and the course it will take in the ever-shifting IT landscape. Read the article at Gestalt IT, or watch the Delegate Roundtable Discussion on the website.
Modernizing the Extranet With Alkira
Extranets, also known as B2B networks, are essential for organizations to connect and provide additional services to each other. While this market has been dominated by a few providers, the lack of competition often leads to delays in provisioning connections. Fortunately, Alkira has introduced Extranet-as-a-Service, leveraging zero trust network architecture and cloud networking advancements to offer a more secure, scalable, and cost-effective alternative. With a familiar dashboard and consumption-based pricing, Alkira’s solution simplifies extranet management and enables secure data exchange, even in complex acquisition scenarios. Read more in this LinkedIn article by Tom Hollingsworth!
Ways to Amplify Unvalued Security Teams in Organizations
The security staff is often the most unappreciated members of a workforce. It is a problem that seems to be at the root of its failings. With the exponential growth of networks and the increasing number of breaches, it is clear that security is a pressing issue. However, there is a lack of awareness and understanding surrounding the imperfections and limitations of security measures. It is essential for organizations to elevate awareness, forge a cohesive internal culture, and invest in the right tools and training to support their security teams. Additionally, responsible packaging and marketing from vendors can help buyers make informed decisions. Ultimately, removing obstacles and valuing security specialists is essential for ensuring cyber resilience. Watch the delegates from the recent Security Field Day event explore this at a roundtable discussion.
Meet Field Day Delegate – Roy Chua, Founder and Principal at AvidThink
Tom Hollingsworth interviews Roy Chua, Founder and Principal at AvidThink, in this Tech Field Day delegate spotlight. Roy shares his journey from network software engineer to product management and eventually transitioning into the analyst space with his research and analysis service, AvidThink. He discusses the challenges of staying up-to-date in the rapidly evolving technology landscape and highlights the value of focusing on targeted and cutting-edge areas. Welcome to the Tech Field Day community, Roy!
Summer Field Day Fun at Networking Field Day 32
The summer edition of Networking Field Day is set to be an exciting event with presentations from top companies to an excellent panel of delegates. Join us on Wednesday, July 26th to hear from Broadcom about their latest advancements in Ethernet for AI and ML networking. We’ll also have a delegate roundtable discussion on pressing networking issues and the opportunity for you to add your voice to the conversation. Then we’ve got Nile talking network as a service. Thursday morning has Anuta presenting their flagship ATOM platform. Don’t miss out on the live streaming and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn for updates!
Cross Training for Career Completeness
The importance of cross-training with different technology disciplines is emphasized in a thought-provoking blog post by Tom Hollingsworth. Drawing inspiration from martial artist Bruce Lee, the author highlights the value of incorporating new skills and knowledge into one’s expertise to stay relevant in the ever-evolving tech industry. Using the example of wireless engineers understanding the bigger security picture, the article encourages professionals to embrace cross-training and see the bigger picture to have a successful and prolonged career.
Safe and Sound at Security Field Day 9
Security Field Day 9 promises to showcase how security companies and teams are addressing ever-evolving cybersecurity threats to keep users safe. A lineup of prominent security companies will present their innovative solutions to reduce security risks, ensuring a better and secure user experience. Broadcasting live on June 28 and 29, we will see presentations from Commvault, HashiCorp, NetAlly, Cisco, Cribl, and Noname Security, highlighting their approach to enhancing data security and protection focused on critical areas such as backups and disaster recovery, multi-cloud defense, and Data Loss Prevention (DLP). Learn more about Security Field Day in this video featuring Tom Hollingsworth!
Excitement in the Air With Tech Field Day Extra at Cisco Live US 2023
Tech Field Day Extra returns to Cisco Live US 2023, featuring presentations from Cisco as well as Opengear and BackBox, streaming live on June 6 and 7. Tuesday begins with Opengear, followed by Cisco Enterprise, ThousandEyes, and Security. Wednesday features a presentation from BackBox and more presentations Cisco focused on IoT, Cloud and Compute, and Secure Policy. Check out the live stream on LinkedIn and the Tech Field Day website!
Excitement In the Air with Tech Field Day Extra at Cisco Live US 2023
Be a part of the Tech Field Day excitement at Cisco Live US 2023! Tune in for presentations from Opengear, Backbox, and Cisco June 6-7. Read on for more details and a full event schedule.
The Power of Expertise at Ventev
Tom Hollingsworth explores Ventev’s capabilities in wireless antennas and enclosures. The company has experts in IoT and industrial segments, and provides solutions for a variety of wireless challenges, including hostile environments. Ventev’s IoT solutions, such as the integrated enclosure solution that matches Aruba switches, include AC, DC power, and UPS, ensuring the network’s safety during power outages. The combination of expertise in research and data analysis, antenna designs, and power suggests that it may be worth consulting with Ventev for almost any wireless project.
Meet Field Day Delegate – Raymond Hendrix, Owner of Wi-Fi Wise International
Raymond Hendrix is a new Field Day delegate who serves the RF side of communication, particularly in the wireless domain. He has expanded his IT knowledge through military training, learning about token ring networking and electronic warfare and working with a 16-kilowatt jamming vehicle growing his interest in RF and antennas. His biggest challenge is obtaining clear requirements from customers, requiring effective communication skills in his field. Meet Raymond in this discussion with Tom Hollingsworth.
Meet Field Day Delegate – Kerry Kulp, Founding Partner at Velaspan
This article introduces Kerry Kulp, Founding Partner of Velaspan, who was among the new delegates attending Mobility Field Day 9. Kulp wears many hats at Velaspan, fulfilling roles in business leadership, development, and consulting. In a conversation with Tom Hollingsworth, Kulp shares his journey into the IT industry, his early days in wireless and mobility, and his interests in technology, particularly cybersecurity.
Aruba Isn’t a Wireless Company (Any More)
Although widely known as a wireless company, HPE Aruba Networking has grown into a full enterprise networking company today, emphasizing the importance of user-focused and holistic product lineups. As highlighted at the recent Aruba Atmopshere event, the company’s offerings have expanded beyond just wireless access points and devices that power them, to include campus and data center switches, SASE/SSE, IoT, and cloud-enabled management, to name a few. The shift in perception towards a more comprehensive networking company from being just a wireless company signifies rising maturity and effectiveness in catering to the complex needs of a modern user.
Making Mobility Magic at Mobility Field Day 9
Mobility Field Day 9 is May 17-19 in Silicon Valley, bringing together the top technology minds and experts in wireless and mobility to share their innovations and contributions to the field. With presentations from Arista, Celona, Cisco, Fortinet, Juniper Networks, NetAlly, and Ruckus Networks, attendees can expect updates on advancements in AI networking, SASE, and cybersecurity, among others. The presentations will be streamed live on our online platforms and feature roundtable discussions from our Field Day delegates. Watch this video for more information!
Fixing Firewall Sizing Issues With Prosmio
Tom Hollingsworth sheds light on the challenges of deploying an appropriately sized firewall and highlights Prosimo’s solution, as seen at Cloud Field Day last year. Prosimo Adaptive Service Insertion helps in deploying firewall resources in appropriate locations with minimal fuss by creating spokeless environments. Additionally, Prosimo introduces the possibility of directing guaranteed, critical traffic to a Prosimo instance to be processed, thus enabling businesses to ensure that their operational rules are respected. Finally, Prosimo’s tool allows for variable flow discovery and resource consumption, allowing organizations to manage their financial payments better.
The Amazing Way Observability Shapes Automation
The benefits of automation far outweigh the potential perils, mainly because more than 70% of IT decision-makers have acknowledged reduced employee workload with automation’s help. Visibility and automation share a close relationship, with data being a prerequisite for both. Saha further explains how with proper implementation and integration, networking automation can significantly improve the entire system’s efficiency while reducing the need for human-based control. This Networking Field Day Roundtable discussion focuses on the promise and pitfalls of network automation.