Ron Westfall’s latest article explores Itential’s strategic move to enhance network automation by integrating advanced intent-based capabilities into their services. This upgrade aims to simplify complex network configurations and accelerate digital transformation initiatives for their customers. Westfall highlights the potential benefits this upgrade brings to IT teams by improving efficiency and reducing potential errors in network management tasks. Read more in this Futurum Group research note inspired by the Itential presentation at Networking Field Day 36!
AI is the Enabler of Network Innovation
Artificial Intelligence is creating the kind of paradigm shifts not seen since the cloud revolution. Everyone is changing the way their IT infrastructure operates in order to make AI work better. In this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by John Freeman, Scott Robohn, and Ron Westfall as they discuss how AI is driving innovation in the networking market. They talk about how the toolsets are changing to incorporate AI features as well as how the need to push massive amounts of data into LLMs and generative AI constructs is creating opportunities for companies to show innovation. They also talk about how Ethernet is becoming ascendant in the AI market.
Automation Is Progressing, but at a Less-than-Breakneck Speed – A Conversation with Nokia
In a recent conversation featured on Gestalt IT, Sulagna Saha explores the state of automation within the tech industry, focusing on insights from the delegates who attended the Networking Field Day Exclusive event with Nokia. While automation is undoubtedly advancing, the pace is described as steady rather than rapid, reflecting a careful approach to integration and development. This discussion highlights the nuanced progression of automation technology and its implications for the future of network management and efficiency. Read more, and watch the video of this important roundtable discussion!
Nokia Unleashes EDA to Automate AI Era Data Centers
Nokia is leading the charge in next-generation data center solutions with the launch of its Extreme Data Automation (EDA) platform, which is designed to meet the demands of the AI era. The EDA platform streamlines operations through advanced automation tools, enhancing efficiency and reducing the operational complexities and costs associated with large-scale data center management. This innovation underscores Nokia’s commitment to supporting the infrastructure needs of data-intensive industries, facilitating improved performance and sustainability in enterprise IT environments. Read more in this research note from Ron Westfall of The Futurum Group following our Networking Field Day Exclusive event with Nokia.
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.
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.
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.
Juniper Debuts Ops4AI and JVDs to Spur Adoption of AI
Juniper Networks has launched the Ops4AI Lab and Juniper Validated Designs (JVDs) to encourage the broader adoption of AI technologies across various sectors. The Ops4AI initiative is designed to improve AI workload performance by offering automated solutions that integrate critical IT infrastructure components like switching, routing, storage, and compute from multiple vendors, enhancing efficiency, and optimizing GPU utilization. With the introduction of features such as fabric autotuning and global load balancing, along with partnerships with key industry players, Juniper aims to lead in providing scalable, effective AI networking solutions that simplify management and advance technological efficiency. Ron Westfall was part of the Mobility Field Day 11 delegate panel where Juniper Networks presented this technology and more!
On-Premises Networks Need to Work Like Cloud Networks
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.
HPE Aruba Networking Ready to Turbocharge Private 5G
Ron Westfall considers HPE Aruba’s positioning itself to enhance private 5G network solutions, promising to bring high-speed, reliable connectivity to enterprise environments. Aruba’s networking expertise is set to empower businesses with improved performance, better control, and tailored implementations of 5G technology. The insights presented highlight Aruba’s readiness to meet the burgeoning demand for private 5G networks, cementing its role as a catalyst in the enterprise networking transformation. This analyst note from The Futurum Group looks forward to the announcements at HPE Discover.
Juniper Choreographs AI-Native Networking Breakthroughs
Juniper Networks is steering the industry toward AI-native networking solutions, as discussed in a thorough this analyst note by Ron Westfall of The Futurum Group. At Mobility Field Day 11, the company showcased its vision for intelligent networking, integrating AI to enhance performance, simplify operations, and improve user experiences. These breakthroughs signal Juniper’s commitment to spearheading the AI-driven future of networking, cementing its role as an innovator in the space.
Wi-Fi 7 Isn’t Enough For Future Wireless Needs
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.
Ron Westfall
Futurum Group Research Director for Digital Transformation, 5G, AI, Security, Cloud Computing, IoT and Data Center. Host of 5G Factor Webcast.
