Telemetry Now

In this Telemetry News Now episode, Phillip Gervasi and Justin Ryburn discuss Google's latest Gemini upgrade for Android Audio, Cisco's prototype quantum network chip, Notion's AI-powered note-taking tool for meetings. Plus: significant AI investments, Microsoft's layoffs, and NVIDIA's chip shipment to Saudi Arabia.

The IODA project, based at Georgia Tech, provides crucial insights into global internet activity, helping to understand major internet disruptions from events like power outages and government shutdowns. Amanda Meng and Zach Bischof discuss how IODA started, its mission, and the mechanisms they use to monitor internet activity at scale. They also discuss their roles in the project, which offers a publicly accessible dashboard for real-time internet connectivity data at ioda.live.

In this episode, Phil Gervasi and Justin Ryburn cover major developments in AI and networking, including Palo Alto Networks' $650M push into AI security, Alibaba's release of Qwen 3, and Meta's new Llama API. They also discuss Microsoft's AI-generated code stats, Asia's IPv6 milestone, and the massive Iberian power outage that disrupted internet traffic across multiple countries.

Scott Robohn joins us to explore how industrial engineering concepts—like workflow design, systems thinking, and Edward Deming's principles—can bring clarity, structure, and efficiency to modern network operations.

In this Telemetry News Now episode, Phil Gervasi and Justin Ryburn break down OpenAI's release of GPT 4.1 and its real-world use cases, major Google Cloud partnerships with Cisco and Juniper, Broadcom's predictive security feature, Amazon's Project Kuiper, and shifting global dynamics in chip manufacturing.

In this episode, Christian von der Ropp joins us for a deep dive into the 12-year effort to connect St Helena via submarine cable, the rise of LEO satellite networks, and how infrastructure and policy intersect to bring modern internet to the world's most remote regions.

In this news episode, Phil Gervasi and Justin Ryburn cover some of the latest tech headlines, such as Starlink entering the service provider space with Community Gateways, OpenAI raising $40 billion for AGI development, Comcast acquiring Nitel to expand its channel distribution strategy, and AWS announcing support for VPC route server running BGP. Tune in for the latest news and a quick roundup of upcoming network industry events.

In this episode of Telemetry Now, we explore why AI workloads require a fundamentally different approach to data center networking. From Ethernet vs. InfiniBand to mitigating issues with packet loss, latency, and link flapping, along with emerging standards from the Ultra Ethernet Consortium, we unpack the technologies reshaping how AI infrastructure is built.

In this episode, Phillip Gervasi and Ryan Booth dive into "vibe coding"—a new AI-assisted approach where LLMs generate code from natural language descriptions. Inspired by Andrej Karpathy's vision, vibe coding streamlines development but raises questions about debugging, best practices, and the future of software engineering.

In this Telemetry News Now episode, hosts Phil Gervasi and Justin Ryburn discuss Microsoft's decision to shut down Skype after more than two decades, explore TSMC's massive $165 billion investment to expand semiconductor manufacturing in the US, and talk about the latest AI trends and strategic partnerships emerging from Mobile World Congress. They also highlight Starlink's ongoing efforts to expand connectivity in India and a roundup of upcoming network industry events.

Host Philip Gervasi sits down with Walid Mathlouthi, head of the Infrastructure Division at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to explore how this 160-year-old United Nations agency shapes global connectivity. Walid shares insights from his remarkable journey, spanning groundbreaking research in optics, impactful roles at AT&T and Google Fiber, and now leading global initiatives at the ITU. We discuss how the ITU manages critical spectrum and satellite resources, tackles challenges like cross-border interference, and spearheads ambitious efforts like the Giga project to connect underserved communities worldwide.

In this Telemetry News Now episode, special guest Scott Robohn joins us to discuss Broadcom's interest in Intel, Cisco's AI partnership with NVIDIA, the Stargate AI data center initiative, and the future of vendor-neutral certifications. Plus, is AI-driven search changing how we find information? Tune in for the latest tech insights.

Jason Gintert and Chris Kane of the US Networking User Association join Telemetry Now host Phil Gervasi to discuss the origins, mission, and future of the (US)NUA, the grassroots organization bringing network engineers and technologists of all stripes together through local meetups around the country. Learn what goes on at the local user groups, why in-person networking matters, where to find a meetup near you, and how you can get involved.

In this Telemetry News Now episode, hosts Phil Gervasi and Justin Ryburn explore Nokia's CEO shake-up, Cisco's eye-opening AI readiness study, and the real budget behind Chinese AI startup DeepSeek. They also examine France's major AI investments, T-Mobile's Starlink-powered satellite texting service, and the DOJ's pushback on HPE's proposed acquisition of Juniper. Plus, they break down Sony's PlayStation outage and share details on upcoming industry events.

Have you ever had that heart-stopping moment when a single command brings down the network? In this final episode in our customer series, Phillip Gervasi is joined by Avi Freedman, Joe DePalo, and Jezzibell Gilmore to share some epic network outage stories—from fire suppression disasters to automation gone wrong and catastrophic BGP mishaps. Packed with hard-learned lessons and a few “hold my beer” moments, this episode is a must-listen for any network engineer.

In this Telemetry News Now episode, hosts Phil Gervasi and Justin Ryburn discuss the latest in AI and networking, including the game-changing release of DeepSeek R1, a Chinese open-source AI model that rivals OpenAI and sent NVIDIA's stock plunging 17%. They also talk Cisco's new AI security solution, the stalled HPE-Juniper acquisition, TikTok's brief U.S. ban and reinstatement, and proposed tariffs on AI chip-making equipment. Plus, they highlight upcoming industry events like NANOG and APRICOT. Tune in for expert insights on AI's global impact, cybersecurity, and networking trends.

In this third episode in our customer series, Avi Freedman, Jezzibell Gilmore, and Joe DePalo from Netskope join host Philip Gervasi to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence in IT operations. From NetOps and security operations to executive-level strategies, the group talks real-world AI use cases, potential risks, and best practices for safe and effective implementation.

In this Telemetry News Now, Justin Ryburn and Phil Gervasi discuss Cisco's innovation pace in 2024, the rise of AI data centers, and the evolving role of satellite-to-mobile technology. They look at a recent copyright lawsuit against Meta, regulatory shifts in AI chip exports, and strategic investments in AI infrastructure. And as always, they highlight important upcoming events in networking. For info on the Foundations newsletter mentioned in this episode, see https://www.foundations.email/

In this second episode in our customer series, Avi Freedman, Jezzibell Gilmore, and Joe DePalo from Netskope return to share insights on how IT professionals can take control of their networks in 2025. From visibility and cost management to reducing reliance on third-party vendors, discover strategies to optimize your infrastructure and drive better business outcomes.

Host Phil Gervasi, along with Kentik's Doug Madory, welcomes Darwin Costa of DE-CIX. Darwin shares his personal journey from aspiring pro soccer player in Angola to pioneering engineer at the forefront of global connectivity. Discover how he and his teams overcame daunting challenges to lay submarine cables that bridge continents, improve performance, and lower costs. Join us to learn how new infrastructure and strategies are bringing faster, more reliable Internet access to regions once left behind.

In the first episode in our customer interview series, Joe DePalo, Vice President and Chief Platform Officer at Netskope, joins Avi Freedman and Jezzibell Gilmore of Kentik to explore how content delivery networks (CDNs) enable the seamless, high-performance internet we take for granted. We demystify some of the “magic” of the internet, and highlight the critical role of edge connectivity in reducing latency, optimizing delivery, and ensuring great user experiences. We also explore the challenges of maintaining a performant internet as we end 2024: What are the evolving network performance and security demands? And why does making them work well remain a tough problem?

In this Telemetry News Now episode, Phil, Justin, and Leon discuss the launch of the CNCF's OpenTelemetry certification, security concerns after recent damages in the Baltic Sea, Cisco's partnership with NTT DATA to enhance global 5G connectivity, and Arista Networks' growth driven by AI data centers. And as always, we end with a quick recap of important upcoming events.

TJ Sayers, cybersecurity expert with the Center for Internet Security, joins us to explore the security concerns around AI and, specifically, large language models. From integrating AI and LLMs into workflows, safeguarding sensitive data with techniques like anonymization and tokenization, to navigating security risks and privacy concerns, we discuss practical strategies to mitigate AI risks. We also examine AI's role in national defense, and we address the growing challenge of verifying the authenticity of content in an AI-driven information age.

In this Telemetry News Now episode, Phil, Leon, and Justin cover news from Cisco about new WiFi 7 access points and licensing, a recent acquisition by Juniper, Arista's continued growth in the AI networking space, and the passing of a familiar voice for those growing up in the early 90s.

In this episode, Phillip is joined by Charlie O'Riordan to discuss the transition from traditional enterprise networking to cloud networking. They explore fundamental differences in network designs between AWS and Azure, the use of underlay technologies like GENEVE and VXLAN, and the integration of firewalls and stateful devices. Tune in to learn about some of the limitations of cloud-native tools, the advantages of third-party solutions, and practical advice on using Terraform for infrastructure automation.

In this episode of Telemetry News Now, Phil Gervasi and Justin Ryburn cover news from SolarWinds about a critical vulnerability, Nvidia's record-breaking market cap driven by AI, Alkira's new Zero Trust Networking service, Amazon's investment in nuclear energy, Starlink's gigabit satellite plans, and the launch of Anthropic's advanced AI model, Claude 3.5 Sonnet.

Explore how large language models (LLMs) like GPT and Llama are reshaping network operations. Ryan Booth joins Telemetry Now to discuss the practical applications of LLMs, from querying complex telemetry data to facilitating advanced analysis. Learn about current use cases—including natural language querying and automated workflows—and emerging trends like agentic AI for network automation. We also discuss challenges such as hallucinations and real-time data handling and offer some advice for integrating LLMs into your network operations today.

In this news episode, Phil and Justin discuss some of the latest tech headlines including Intelsat and SoftBank's ambitious plan to deliver combined satellite and 5G connectivity for remote areas, Aryaka's latest updates to its SASE platform, and Arista Networks' CloudVision platform that aims to simplify hybrid network management. They also chat about OpenAI's new model, “GPT-o1,” and explore a proposal to transform undersea cables into climate and seismic monitoring tools. Legal battles round out our headlines, with TikTok facing lawsuits over its impact on youth, and the DOJ's push for antitrust sanctions against Google.

Unexpectedly high cloud bills are a common challenge in the tech industry. Host Phil Gervasi sits down with cloud experts Carl Fugate and Tejay Cardon to discuss the factors driving cloud costs—especially on the network side. They explore how inefficiencies, misconfigurations, and architectural decisions can lead to unnecessary expenses. They cover strategies for optimizing your cloud network environment, understanding traffic flows, and balancing performance with budget constraints. Tune in to learn actionable steps for managing and reducing your cloud expenses without compromising network performance.

In this Telemetry News Now episode, Phil, Leon, and Justin discuss the latest tech headlines. We cover the mixed job outlook for tech professionals—especially in networking—as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We also explore Blackstone's massive $13.3 billion investment in an AI data center in the UK and what it means for the evolving AI landscape. Also, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's ambitious plan to make AI as ubiquitous as electricity. We also look at a variety of tech vulnerabilities, including the indictment of a man selling forged network switch license keys, a critical Cisco vulnerability affecting 9000 series switches, Meta's hefty fine for a 2019 data breach, and the recent Verizon network outage. We close with a round-up of upcoming tech events that you won't want to miss.

Hosts Philip Gervasi and Leon Adato sit down with observability expert Paige Cruz to discuss the evolution from traditional monitoring to full-scale observability in the cloud era. Paige shares her insights from years of experience in the field, talking about critical topics like data overload, meaningful telemetry, and how to ask the right questions to get the most out of observability systems. Whether you're an SRE, developer, or just interested in cutting-edge monitoring practices, this episode is full of valuable insights.

In this Telemetry News Now episode, hosts Philip Gervasi, Leon Adato, and Justin Ryburn dive into the latest tech headlines. They discuss Verizon's $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications, the first legally binding international AI safety treaty, and the groundbreaking 1.6 Tbps optical transmission milestone achieved by Ciena and Arelion. The trio also touches on the national security concerns of BGP routing and Oracle's expansion of multi-cloud capabilities with AWS, Google, and Microsoft. Plus, a roundup of upcoming tech events you won't want to miss!

In this episode, Andres Azpurua, Executive Director of a Venezuelan digital human rights NGO, joins us to discuss ongoing government internet censorship in Venezuela, especially during and after the recent controversial presidential election. Andres explains the technical methods used to document and counteract censorship, such as DNS tampering and state-sponsored phishing, highlighting how these actions are intertwined with political repression. Ultimately, the organization aims to hold the government accountable and increase the political cost of censorship by documenting evidence and advocating for internet freedom as a human right.

In this special episode of Telemetry Now, host Philip Gervasi is joined by Leon Adato and Justin Ryburn to introduce a brand new podcast, Telemetry News Now. Launching this fall, Telemetry News Now will be a biweekly tech news podcast, airing on opposite weeks of our main show. Get to know the cohosts and enjoy a preview of the insightful commentary and witty banter you can expect from the show.

Host Philip Gervasi is joined by Scott Robohn, co-founder of the Network Automation Forum, to discuss the upcoming AutoCon 2 event in Denver this November. Scott gives some exciting updates on the latest developments in network automation, the growing community around the AutoCon series, and what attendees can expect from the conference—including hands-on workshops, cutting-edge presentations, and new partnerships. Tune in to learn more about the future of network automation and how AutoCon 2 aims to push the industry forward. Learn more about AutoCon 2 and get tickets at https://networkautomation.forum/autocon2.

In this episode, host Philip Gervasi is joined by William Collins, Director of Technical Evangelism at Alkira, for a deep dive into the world of technical evangelism. They explore what it means to be a technical evangelist, the core responsibilities and activities involved, and share their personal journeys into this unique role. Tune in to hear about the blend of technical acumen, passion, and storytelling that defines tech evangelism, and how it differs from technical marketing and developer relations. Whether you're curious about the role or considering it as a career path, this conversation is full of insights and real-world experiences.

Flowspec can be thought of as a way of distributing basic firewall functionality into BGP. In the last decade, it's become a popular way to mitigate the effects of a DDoS attack by filtering incoming BGP Update Messages. In this episode, Justin Ryburn, Field CTO at Kentik, explains how Flowspec works, how it's implemented, and why it hasn't been adopted quite as much as we expected it to be.

Hosts Phil Gervasi and Doug Madory talk with Andrew Sullivan, President of the Internet Society, about the crucial role of the Internet Society in maintaining an open and accessible internet for all. They dive into Andrew's extensive background with the IETF, the Internet Architecture Board, and his work with major networking vendors. Learn about the technical and policy challenges in keeping the internet globally connected and secure, the impact of government regulations, and the importance of ensuring that the internet remains a force for good in society.

Host Philip Gervasi talks with Doug Madory and Job Snijders about the importance of RPKI in securing Internet routing. They explore the recent milestone of RPKI covering 50% of IPv4 routes, the process of route origin validation (ROV), and the role of ROAs. They also discuss the impact of ROA expirations and future advances in Internet routing security. Tune in to learn how RPKI contributes to a more stable and secure Internet.

Philip Gervasi welcomes back TJ Sayers, a cybersecurity expert with the Center for Internet Security, to discuss the latest FCC ruling on Net Neutrality and its impact on social media, specifically TikTok. We discuss the complexities of net neutrality, national security concerns, and the implications for American society. Join us as we explore how these regulations affect our access to information and the delicate balance between security and privacy in the digital age.

Network automation has become more common among traditional network engineers, and so a new set of resources, tools, and skill sets have developed. In this episode of Telemetry Now, Steve Leeper joins us to discuss how we can get started with network automation in the real world including programming languages, frameworks, tools and resources to get you started.

The telecom industry is going through a major transformation, referred to as “cloudification.” This isn't just a buzzword, either. Cloudifcation represents a fundamental shift in how telecom services are delivered and managed. In this episode, Nina Bargisen unpacks some terminology and discusses exactly what cloudification in the telco industry is all about.

Submarine telecommunication cables have been in the news a lot lately with recent cable cuts in several parts of the world, most notably in the Red Sea in the spring of 2024. This kind of activity is certainly not good for global communications, but it has given rise to a new interest in how submarine cables actually connect the world and give us the internet we have today. There are over 500 active submarine telecom cables right now with new ones coming online soon running longer distances, with greater capacity, and connecting more geographic areas than ever before, so it goes without saying that they are also a growing attack surface for bad actors in the world. In this episode, host Phillip Gervasi is joined by Doug Madory, an expert in internet measurement and submarine cable activity. We dive into the implications of recent submarine cable cuts in the Red Sea, and discuss the critical role these cables play in global communication. We explore how cables are laid, repaired, and the unique challenges they face, including geopolitical tensions and natural hazards. Join us as we illuminate the complex, often unseen world of submarine telecommunication infrastructure.Helpful links:* https://www.kentik.com/blog/what-caused-the-red-sea-submarine-cable-cuts/* https://www.kentik.com/blog/outage-in-egypt-impacted-aws-gcp-and-azure-interregional-connectivity/* https://blog.cloudflare.com/undersea-cable-failures-cause-internet-disruptions-across-africa-march-14-2024* https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/african-internet-outage-was-caused-by-subsea-cable-break-mainone-says-2024-03-15/

In this episode, Ryan Booth joins Telemetry Now to discuss Generative AI, Natural Language Processing, and Large Language Models. We dive into the history, components, and mechanisms of how LLMs work, how we can deal with hallucinations, and how AI can help improve IT operations.

Telemetry Now is a podcast about networking, network engineering, observability, and emerging technologies. Each episode features host Phil Gervasi in conversation with subject matter experts about what's going on in networking and the technology industry in general.