In this episode, Woody is joined by Sarah Aamir, a Partner Solutions Architect at AWS.Sarah is a seasoned professional with a rich background in networking and technology. She has held roles at prominent companies such as Dell and T-Mobile, and her journey through the industry offers a valuable perspective on the evolving landscape of enterprise networking.Throughout the conversation, Sarah and Woody discuss why Sarah chose to join AWS, her experience working with partners, including her enjoyment working with Aviatrix on AWS Immersion Days, the impact of generative AI, and her business intelligence project that she considers her most fulfilling and meaningful project at the moment. Sarah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahaamir/About Altitude and Host Woody: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/Timestamps:00:00:23 - Sarah Aamir's introduction00:02:04 - Discussion about the types of partners Sarah works with at AWS00:03:07 - Sarah's favorite networking kit and her interest in automation00:06:11 - Sarah's explanation of the onboarding process for partners 00:10:12 - Discussion on the significance of generative AI and its applications00:16:00 - An anecdote about testing a generative AI's capabilities and a deeper look into the future of AI00:19:49 - Sarah’s thoughts on the future with personal private data & AI00:22:09 - Sarah’s favorite project on business intelligence, excitement for this year’s AWS re:Invent

Today, Woody is joined by Senior Principal Software Engineer Mitch Connors to discuss the world of containers and the frequent challenges posed.Mitch Connors is an experienced software engineer with a remarkable career spanning 18 years. Having worked for various companies, including renowned tech giants such as F5, Amazon, and Google, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role at Aviatrix.They discuss the transition from a large corporate environment to a startup, highlighting the expanded scope and opportunities at Aviatrix. They dive into the world of containers, Kubernetes, and Istio, exploring the reasons behind the success of containers in the industry and the challenges they pose for enterprise adoption. About Altitude and Host Woody: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/ Mitch’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchconnors/Timestamps:[00:01:54] Change in scope moving from Google to startup.[00:04:58] Containers like cloud adoption for enterprises. Developers pioneer, policy systems lag, Aviatrix helps network admins with multicloud presence.[00:06:22] Container networks have frequent IP address changes, causing identification issues.[00:10:48] A Network engineer's job is more complex.[00:13:31] Scalability: VMs vs. containers in e-commerce.[00:18:49] Advancing technology with Google's involvement in Istio. Aviatrix offers a customer journey towards containerization.[00:22:03] Legacy systems endure, consider them in platform design.[00:26:35] Usability lessons: upgrading should be easy.

In this episode of Altitude, Woody welcomes special guest Nick Davitashvili, Senior Cloud Network Architect at Aviatrix. Nick is an accomplished architect and keynote speaker with a strong background in networking, cloud, and cybersecurity architecture. He brings a unique and profound perspective to his role; having lived in various parts of the world, he's cultivated a multi-faceted approach to his work as a cloud network architect. The two dive into the fascinating realms of anti-fragility and cloud network architecture, offering listeners valuable insights into these complex subjects. Nick explains the concept of anti-fragility – a system's ability to thrive and improve from volatility, unlike traditional fragile systems. The discussion extends to how cloud network architectures can benefit from anti-fragile principles, adapting and growing stronger in the face of disruptions.About Altitude and Host Woody: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/ About Nick’s personal story of multi talents, unorthodox mindset, and inspiring career journey https://aviatrix.com/careers/employee-spotlight/employee-spotlight-nick-davitashvili/ Timestamped Overview:[00:00:50] Cloud architect enjoys solving connectivity challenges at Aviatrix.[00:03:41] Music school in Georgia (not the U.S. state), Indian classical music.[00:08:25] Cloud projects often require improvisation and adaptation. Improvising is a skill that requires being in the moment and making judgment calls. It stimulates different neural connections and can boost performance.[00:10:23] Music and coding are similar creative processes. Context is important when analyzing data. Challenging thought processes lead to learning and growth. Reflection is crucial for understanding cloud architecture.[00:13:44] Architects must embrace mistakes, question standards, improvise, and take risks. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills matter more than academic credentials.[00:18:19] Anti-fragility in systems: embracing errors, gaining strength.[00:23:10] DevOps embraces anti-fragility, including chaos engineering and security.[00:26:33] Decentralization, distributed cloud, security controls, and redundancy.[00:27:47] Closing thoughts.

In this episode, Woody dives into the world of cloud security using open source systems with our special guest, Susan Hinrichs.   Susan Hinrichs, Chief Scientist at Aviatrix, is a multifaceted professional with a strong background in the open source networking and security space. As a designer and implementer, she has contributed significantly to the development of distributed cloud firewall. Susan's expertise extends well beyond traditional networking, encompassing diverse areas such as cloud routing, application security, policy-based traffic engineering, and distributed systems.   Throughout this insightful conversation, Susan discusses the advantages of open source platforms, Aviatrix contributions to the open source community, and the open source DNA of the Aviatrix Distributed Cloud Firewall. Susan and Woody also explore possible directions for Distributed Cloud Firewall and the role that AI and ML could play in network security.   Learn more about Altitude and Host Woody: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/ Susan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shinrich/  Timestamps: [00:02:11] Group responsible for traffic termination and scrubbing. Used open source software and contributed back. [00:06:55] Extended Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF) enables efficient traffic analysis in kernel space, particularly for dropping network traffic at low levels with minimal effort. It provides a more cost-effective alternative to IP tables for implementing firewall policies. [00:10:07] Approach: Not everyone is the root. All processes aren't root. Need to elevate. Complicated product made simple. [00:14:27] Open Stack's limitations revealed as enterprise-scale businesses require dedicated specialists, making it costly. Distributed cloud firewall innovates multicloud security. Scaling security in the cloud is challenging due to layer 3 and up the stack complexities. [00:16:38] Distributed firewall challenges and solutions summarized. [00:21:53] Smart groups are created with tags on VMs, subnets, and VPCs. These groups are used to create rules for traffic routing. With Aviatrix fabric, gateways are protected, and traffic routes are understood. The controller analyzes gateways and enforces rules accordingly. Rules are pushed or pulled to the gateways. [00:26:15] Security group orchestration across different cloud platforms has limitations due to varying models and rule limits. Difficulties arise when translating intermixed allows and denies into only allows, potentially causing networks to split and requiring more rules. Despite extensive work, there are cases where policy expression is not possible. Other tools, like VMware and Cisco, offer similar orchestration capabilities, but the physical enforcement points may still restrict the unified view presented to customers. [00:30:30] Moving towards intrusion protection, analytics, and service mesh for enhanced security. [00:34:05] The impact of AI and machine learning on security systems. [00:35:16] AI helps with alarm fatigue and data correlation.

In this episode of Altitude, Woody sits down with the brilliant Rob DeWeese for an in-depth exploration of cloud networking, architecture, and cost optimization. As a dedicated problem solver and cloud networking expert, Rob joined IBM six years ago as the lead multicloud architect. Following the separation of IBM's consulting wing, he embraced the consultancy realm, now known as Kyndryl – the world’s largest provider of IT infrastructure services. As the Director of Cloud Networking at Kyndryl, Rob leads 429 network architects across the globe and equips individuals with the skills to understand, simplify, and optimize cloud networking.This conversation covers the four towers of cloud networking that require careful consideration, cloud networking design principles that pave the way to success, and strategies for simplifying and optimizing cloud networking and related costs, especially in the context of multicloud and complex network architectures. Rob and Woody also discuss the value of centralizing firewall management and the criticality of scalability. Stay tuned for a follow-up discussion in the coming months between the two cloud gurus. There are only so many minutes per podcast episode and so many things to explore.Learn more about Altitude and Host Woody: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/ Connect with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-deweese-a9676916/ [00:00:47] Kyndryl: Consulting wing, largest Grid Security Infrastructure (GSI), cloud networking.[00:06:43] Multicloud is now a real thing – the state of the industry, vendor lock-in.[00:10:37] High-performance encryption solution.[00:13:28] The 4 Towers of Cloud Networking. [00:15:16] Networking, security, and complexity impact cloud cost.[00:17:46] IBM/Kyndryl separation, moving data centers, and strategies for cost optimization.[00:21:55] Design principles for building a flexible network. Avoid unnecessary costs and cloud vendor lock-in. Focus on ease of administration and adaptability to different platforms.[00:25:24] Load balancing types, logging platforms, and simplifying multicloud networking.[00:28:10] Teaser for part two with Rob and Woody.

In this episode of Altitude, Justin Payne, Senior Infrastructure Security Architect at Mueller Water Products (MWP), shares his firsthand experience of navigating the challenges posed by outdated hardware and limited resources while transitioning to the cloud. With an impressive three decades of IT expertise, Justin has been a dedicated member of the MWP team for the past ten years.MWP, founded over 160 years ago, is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of fire hydrants, gate valves, and other water infrastructure products in North America. During the housing downfall in the late 2000s, MWP faced significant obstacles. Outdated hardware and resources hindered their ability to meet the company's growing demands, prompting their migration to AWS cloud. Justin has been at the forefront of cloud transformation, ensuring that MWP keeps up with advancements in cloud technology to maximize efficiency and drive growth.Learn more about Altitude and the host: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/ In this episode, Woody and Justin discuss:[00:03:19] Transitioning to AWS to improve agility[00:08:47] Adapting to cloud, challenges, and research[00:11:54] AWS setup challenged by limitations and security concerns[00:15:37] Cloud cost expectations vs reality, MWP’s maturity, cost mitigation, cloud-first strategy [00:19:40] High cost of bringing in contractors with AWS expertise to bridge the skills gap, seeking the tools and talent to operate moving forward [00:22:23] Cloud security as a big concern due to lack of control and elevated permissions, creating a secure and efficient infrastructure with Aviatrix, MWP’s zero trust environment with strict security measures[00:26:24] Relying solely on the Internet for IoT connectivity has proven to be insecure and unreliable; the use of private networks and VPNs as the preferred approach for IoT applications[00:31:24] What makes moving to the cloud worth it, maximizing product features quickly with AWS[00:34:21] Proactive maintenance saves time and money.To connect with Justin, head to his LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-payne-57376b11/

In this episode of Altitude, Woody has the opportunity to sit down with Mohamed Ghassen, Cloud Security Engineer at SAP. He is also an Aviatrix Certified Engineer (ACE) Multicloud Network Design Expert, the highest level of the ACE Multicloud Networking and Security certification track.Woody and Mohamed discuss the paradigm shift required for cloud security, emphasizing the importance of integrating security during the design phase rather than treating it as an add-on feature. They also discuss the need for improved collaboration between security and DevOps professionals and how multicloud is the current trend that calls for standardization across various cloud providers.Connect with Mohamed on LinkedIn:https://linkedin.com/in/mohamed-ghassen-gargouri/ Learn more about becoming certified in multicloud networking:https://aviatrix.com/ace/

Enlightening, but frightening - what does AI have in store for us? Today, guest Zach Hughes, joins Woody to speculate the answer.Zach is the VP of IT at CHS, one of the industry's leading agriculture businesses that is uniquely owned by the farmers. He is also one of the industry's leading experts on the principles and practices of leadership.In their discussion today, Woody and Zach discuss the consumerism state in which AI seems to currently sit, current capabilities, and a brilliant look into the meaning of 'creativity' when it comes to AI with an example in music.Have a read of Zach's recent words on AI here:https://zachonleadership.com/the-ai-article/https://zachonleadership.com/automation-is-for-humans-not-the-other-way-around/Connect with Zach on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharybhughes/

On this episode of Altitude, Woody is joined by John Bristol, Practice Leader at Enterprise Vision Technologies. John is highly experienced in the IT industry and through his work at EVT, where he helps customers transform their legacy network environments to a more automated, secure, multicloud network architecture.In their discussion today, Woody and John discuss cloud networking, but from the angle of the system integrator and the IT practitioner - a new approach for the show. They explore the constraints of native cloud services that increase costs and the problems that a full automation platform would solve for his business and customers.Follow John on LinkedIn here.Explore the Enterprise Vision Technologies website here.

In a special episode of Altitude, Woody hosts a roundtable with two great minds in cloud --Toby Foss, Director of Network Operations at Informatica, and Chris McHenry, Head of Security Solutions at Aviatrix. Together, they discuss the outcome of existing security patterns in cloud and how those patterns are working or not working. They explore alternative architectural approaches, what a distributed network security system requires to be successful, and "must-do's" in cloud security.  Toby has been involved in IT since 1992, spanning government, public, and private sectors. He is also in the process of getting a Ph.D. in cybersecurity and computer science. Chris is passionate about cybersecurity and specializes in secure multi cloud networking.  To learn more about Toby and Chris, head to their LinkedIns: Toby - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobyfoss Chris - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mchenry-475a0738/

On this episode of Altitude, Woody speaks with Zac Smith, the Global Head of Edge Infrastructure Services at Equinix, the world's largest operator of interconnected data centers. He is also the co-founder of Packet, which was acquired by Equinix and focused on automating computers and networks for developer-centric infrastructure. Zac shares insights into the history and culture of Equinix, which has built a global network of over 250 interconnected data centers through a programmatic backbone. You’ll learn how Equinix commits to an open ecosystem model and reduces infrastructure friction, making it easy for customers to build their networks. The conversation also explores how automation is non-negotiable and requires a cultural change to embrace a certain amount of calculated risk. Zac also highlights sustainability in network infrastructure and how virtualization can help reduce waste.Connect with Zac on LinkedInAltitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation is brought to you by Aviatrix. To learn more about how Aegon, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Heineken, Raytheon Technologies, and many more have succeeded in cloud networking, visit aviatrix.com

On this episode of Altitude, Woody is joined by Steve Saunders, networking guru and founder of Silverlinings, which provides a reputable daily source of news, analysis, and strategy for cloud infrastructure. Steve is also Vice Chairman of the Board of Laser Light Communications, which is building the world's first all-optical carrier network in space.Together, they explore 5G’s impact on the future of cloud, the “telco-ification” of public cloud, how edge will change to encompass 5G, the importance of building resilient infrastructure against API attacks and digital sprawl, and the rise of cloud native API protection. The conversation also covers AI intelligent overlays in cloud networking and Steve’s thoughts on Aviatrix’s role in the industry, describing Aviatrix as an “outsourced R&D department for the industry.”Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn and learn more about his work in providing information on the complex space of communications industry transformation.Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation is brought to you by Aviatrix. To learn more about how Aegon, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Heineken, Raytheon Technologies, and many more have succeeded in cloud networking, visit aviatrix.com

On this episode of Altitude, Woody is joined by Chris McHenry, Director of Solution Strategy at Aviatrix, for a deep dive into the world of zero-trust networking. Chris shares his expertise on this increasingly important security paradigm, which focuses on proactive prevention rather than simply detecting threats.Drawing from the history of enterprise security and the evolution of firewalls, Chris highlights how zero-trust networking has gained momentum as a more powerful way to protect networks from potential breaches. The conversation touches on the limitations of traditional threat detection methods, which have become less effective as attackers have grown more sophisticated.Woody and Chris discuss how high-profile cyber attacks, like those involving tax software in Ukraine and the SolarWinds supply chain attack, have driven a shift in focus towards zero trust security. By adopting this approach, organizations can ensure that no user or device is automatically trusted, and security teams can stay one step ahead of potential threats.Connect with Chris on LinkedIn and learn more about his extensive background in network security.Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation is brought to you by Aviatrix. To learn more about how Aegon, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Heineken, Raytheon Technologies, and many more have succeeded in cloud networking, visit aviatrix.com

On this episode of Altitude, Woody invites former colleague and friend Heather Sze, Principal Cloud Solution Architect in Security at Microsoft, onto the show to discuss cloud security – a top barrier to cloud adoption.  From Heather’s experiences as an IT manager at Morgan Stanley and Deloitte & Touche, a technical solutions architect at Cisco, and now an Azure principal cloud solution architect, she shares valuable insights on succeeding as a woman in technology, as well as what she has seen shift in security over the years. Together, Woody and Heather discuss perimeter-based security on-premises versus zero trust security in the cloud, the new skills and mindset required when approaching security in the cloud, and how AI has changed the game. Connect with Heather on LinkedIn and learn more about her incredible 25-year career. Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation is brought to you by Aviatrix. To learn more about how Aegon, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Heineken, Raytheon Technologies, and many more have succeeded in cloud networking, visit aviatrix.com.

In this episode of Altitude, Woody is joined by Tom Davis, Director of Solutions Management at Aviatrix. In this informative discussion, Tom shares his expertise on the network backbone and how the challenges and opportunities of cloud are changing the approach to backbone design.  Tom shares his insights on discipline and teamwork from his military background and the mentality that helped him transition from a traditional networking skillset to a cloud networking skillset. Tom and Woody dive into the pain points of hybrid networking today and how network IT teams, who were once excluded from the cloud, can join and enhance the cloud team as integral networking experts.Whether you're just starting out with cloud infrastructure or looking to improve an existing setup, this episode is sure to provide valuable guidance and knowledge that can help you optimize your cloud connectivity.Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation is brought to you by Aviatrix. To learn more about how Aegon, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Heineken, Raytheon Technologies, and many more have succeeded in cloud networking, visit aviatrix.com.

On this episode of Altitude, Woody investigates the skills gap in cloud networking and security that is a major issue for enterprises.Guests Danielle Coady and Nauman Mustafa both agree that the skills shortage is very real and caused by multiple factors such as migrations, mergers and acquisitions, and digital transformation. With the accelerated adoption of cloud services due to the pandemic, cloud engineers need to be able to adapt to the multicloud world. This skills gap has proven to be a large obstacle for IT leaders and teams as they try to move their businesses forward. Companies must invest in training and education programs to ensure that their staff is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in the cloud.Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation is brought to you by Aviatrix. To learn more about the ACE program, visit https://aviatrix.com/ace/.

On this episode of Altitude, Woody explores the key trends driving cloud technology with Scott Raynovich, the Founder and Chief Analyst at Futuriom, a leading cloud tech analyst firm.   The conversation covers the success of Futuriom, the impact of today’s economy on cloud infrastructure, networking, and security, the concept of the “shrinking internet” and how it affects SD-WAN, the meanings of various multicloud networking terms, and the future trends for edge and zero trust architecture in the cloud. Scott and Woody also share their experiences as musicians and discuss the value that creative, interdisciplinary backgrounds bring to careers in technology.    Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation is brought to you by Aviatrix. To learn more about how Aegon, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Heineken, Raytheon Technologies, and many more have succeeded in cloud networking, visit aviatrix.com

On this episode of Altitude, Woody looks into the challenges and opportunities that come with moving business-critical applications, like SAP S/4HANA, to the cloud with his guest, Luke Bockelmann, Principal Solutions Engineer at Aviatrix.The conversation discusses the "Innovator's Dilemma" and how traditional networking companies are too focused on competing in their own industry to find the resources or time to innovate in the cloud space. They dive into why SAP decided to innovate and move S/4HANA to the cloud and how this migration to the cloud impacts IT teams. Woody and Luke discuss requirements for cloud networking and infrastructure teams to build an optimal architecture and framework for SAP cloud migration.Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation is brought to you by Aviatrix. To learn more about how NASA, Toyota, Raytheon, and many more have succeeded in multicloud networking, visit aviatrix.com

On this episode of Altitude, Woody and special guest Steve Mullaney, President and CEO at Aviatrix, discuss cloud maturity and the human experience along this journey.  Together, they explore the transformation in the cloud that brought Steve out of retirement, the stages of technology adoption and where Aviatrix fits, what Steve’s phrase “It’s Happening” actually means and why it matters, and why cloud training is critical for successful cloud journeys.  Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation is brought to you by Aviatrix. To learn more about how Aegon, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Heineken, Raytheon Technologies, and many more have succeeded in cloud networking, visit aviatrix.com

Welcome to Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation. Tune in to learn about the challenges, opportunities, and industry trends that IT leaders and teams face in the cloud and what the true cloud heroes are doing to innovate. Be sure to subscribe on your preferred listening app to join host Bryan “Woody” Woodworth, Sr. Principal Solutions Strategist at Aviatrix for new episodes bi-weekly.