Network Break

Packet Pushers

About

Network Break keeps you informed with fast, focused analysis of IT news, products, tech trends, and business outcomes. Blending sharp commentary with a touch of humor, hosts Greg Ferro and Drew Conry-Murray sift through the weekly landslide of press announcements, product launches, financial reports, and marketing decks to find the stories worth talking about. You come away with the information and context to make smart decisions in your organization and career … all in the span of a (longish) coffee break.

Available on

Community

240 episodes

NB471: Nvidia Unveils 800G Ethernet, InfiniBand Switches For AI Fabrics; ‘Ghost Jobs’ Haunt Job Boards

Take a Network Break! Nvidia announces new 800G switches, one for Ethernet and one for InfiniBand, for building AI fabrics. Nvidia also announces an “AI supercomputer,” a rack-scale pre-built bundle of Nvidia GPUs and CPUs connected via InfiniBand switches. The NaaS startup Meter announces new campus switches and what it calls a “digital twin” capability,... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/network-break/nb471-nvidia-unveils-800g-ethernet-infiniband-switches-for-ai-fabrics-ghost-jobs-haunt-job-boards/

1h 10m
Mar 25
NB470: NetBox Labs Adds On-Prem Support; ASML Vs. The Netherlands

This week on Network Break we discuss a new on-prem version of NetBox Labs’ source-of-truth software with enterprise support, why Selector AI is adding an LLM to its operations and observability product, and whether a new Web application firewall from Cloudflare can protect LLMs against malicious prompts. Viavi Solutions consolidates the network testing space with... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/network-break/nb470-netbox-labs-adds-on-prem-support-asml-vs-the-netherlands/

52m
Mar 18
NB 469: Arista Debuts Network Observability Service; Startups Aim To Break Nvidia’s AI Chip Grip

This week we discuss a new network observability offering from Arista that integrates network telemetry with application data, why startups such as Groq and Taalas think they can break Nvidia’s grip on the AI chip market, and how Microsoft is hedging its LLM bets. Amazon goes nuclear with the purchase of a reactor-powered data center... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/network-break/nb-469-arista-debuts-network-observability-service-startups-aim-to-break-nvidias-ai-chip-grip/

1h 3m
Mar 11
NB 468: Broadcom Checks SASE Box; Spirent Announces AI Traffic Emulator For Ethernet Networks

Take a Network Break! Johna Till Johnson joins as guest host while Greg Ferro enjoys some time off. We start with follow-up regarding damage to subsea cables in the Red Sea, and then dive into news. AT&T deals with the fallout of a major US outage, Vodafone also suffers outages in the UK, and Elisa... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/network-break/nb-468-broadcom-checks-sase-box-spirent-announces-ai-traffic-emulator-for-ethernet-networks/

19m
Mar 04
NB467: More AI Assistants Emerge; Nvidia’s AI Goldmine Spurs New Competitors

Take a Network Break! This week we cover financial results from Palo Alto Networks (good, but next quarter’s softer forecast resulted in a drubbing), Cisco (not good), and Nvidia (so good that Wall Street is nervous about how long the party’s gonna last). Prosimo and Nokia have announced generative AI assistants that claim to help... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/network-break/nb467-more-ai-assistants-emerge-nvidias-ai-goldmine-spurs-new-competitors/

45m
Feb 26
NB466: Identifying The Most-Hated ISP; Should AI Write Your Security Policies?

Take a Network Break! We start with an FU on return-to-office policies, and then dive into some announcements from Cisco Live in Amsterdam. Cisco is rolling out rack and blade servers with Nvidia Tensor chips, and Cisco is adding new features to its Digital Experience Monitoring capabilities. Verizon hopes to utilize its MPLS network as... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/network-break/nb466-identifying-the-most-hated-isp-should-ai-write-your-security-policies/

52m
Feb 12
NB465: Dell Terminates VMware Resale Deal; Return-To-Office Orders Backfire Says Study

This week on Network Break we discuss Dell terminating its resale agreement of VMware as Broadcom looks to streamline OEM agreements, a new Wi-Fi AP and cloud-managed switches from Extreme, and the fits and starts in US chip manufacturing. A new study finds Return-To-Office (RTO) mandates don’t improve productivity or company performance, but do drive... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/network-break/nb465-dell-terminates-vmware-resale-deal-return-to-office-orders-backfire-says-study/

50m
Feb 05
NB464: Juniper Begins AI Push Into The Data Center; VMware Customers Confront Higher Prices

This week we discuss new products from Juniper including synthetic testing software for its Mist wireless networks and its first step toward integrating its Apstra data center software with AI. VMware clarifies its product strategy as customers face rising prices, and undersea cables in the Red Sea face potential threats. Nokia and Chinese mobile device... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/network-break/nb464-juniper-begins-ai-push-into-the-data-center-vmware-customers-confront-higher-prices/

1h 0m
Jan 29
NB463: Cisco Buys eBPF Startup For Cloud-Native Networking; Garter Forecasts $5 Trillion In IT Spending

This week’s Network Break examines why Cisco bought eBPF startup Isovalent (hint: it’s about cloud-native networking), why Broadcom is cranking up pressure on VMware resellers and customers (hint: it’s about money), and why Google Cloud is sort of dropping fees for customers who want to exit the cloud (hint: it’s about getting out ahead of... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/network-break/nb463-cisco-buys-ebpf-startup-for-cloud-native-networking-garter-forecasts-5-trillion-in-it-spending/

54m
Jan 22
NB462: HPE Spends $14 Billion For Juniper Networks; Starlink Tests SMS Via Satellite

Take a Network Break! On today’s show we spend most of the episode talking about HPE’s $14 billion bid for Juniper Networks. We discuss reasons for the deal, product overlap, potential upsides, challenges to integrating these two companies and their product lines, and more. We also talk about a successful test by Starlink to send... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/network-break/nb462-hpe-spends-14-billion-for-juniper-networks-starlink-tests-sms-via-satellite/

47m
Jan 15
NB461: 2024 Trends – AI Beyond LLMs, Cisco Vs. Everybody, Next-Gen IT Workers, And More

Take a Network Break! We start the new year by examining major themes and trends that we think will affect IT and networking in 2024. Topics include: AI beyond LLMs Whether open source can remain a viable model in a predatory tech environment Cisco vs. everybody Why IT can’t ignore geopolitics for strategic planning What... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/network-break/nb461-2024-trends-ai-beyond-llms-cisco-vs-everybody-next-gen-it-workers-and-more/

1h 15m
Jan 09
NB460: VMware Ditches Perpetual Licenses; GenAI Is Coming To Network Ops

Broadcom’s VMware has announced an end to perpetual licensing, network automation provider Anuta Networks is adding generative AI capabilities to its Atom platform, and high-end firewall revenues dip but campus switch sales soared in Q3 2023. The Open Networking Foundation, which oversaw open projects around software-defined networking, is closing its doors and folding its projects... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/nb460-vmware-ditches-perpetual-licenses-genai-is-coming-to-network-ops/

57m
Dec 18, 2023
NB460: VMware Ditches Perpetual Licenses; GenAI Is Coming To Network Ops

On today's Network Break we discuss why Broadcom wants VMware customers on subscription licenses, whether GenAI will be a free or paid feature for network management software, how Cisco doged a multi-billion-dollar patent infringement, what a successful test of space lasers means for satellite broadband means for Amazon's Project Kuiper, and more IT news. The post NB460: VMware Ditches Perpetual Licenses; GenAI Is Coming To Network Ops https://packetpushers.net/podcast/nb460-vmware-ditches-perpetual-licenses-genai-is-coming-to-network-ops/ appeared first on Packet Pushers https://packetpushers.net.

57m
Dec 18, 2023
NB459: IBM Aims To Own The Quantum Realm; Amazon Hitches A Ride With SpaceX

IBM has announced a new quantum processor and modular quantum computer in an effort to own the next generation of computing, Cisco unveils an AI assistant to help you untangle firewall rules, and Marvell debuts new DPUs for switches, firewalls, and other networking devices. The MEF looks for ways to stay relevant in the broadband... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/nb459-ibm-aims-to-own-the-quantum-realm-amazon-hitches-a-ride-with-spacex/

36m
Dec 11, 2023
NB459: IBM Aims To Own The Quantum Realm; Amazon Hitches A Ride With SpaceX

Today on Network Break we cover IBM's new quantum processor and modular quantum computer and its effort to own the next generation of computing. We also cover Cisco's AI assistant for firewalls, Marvell's new DPUs for networking devices, why Amazon has to rely on SpaceX to get Project Kuiper satellites into orbit, and more IT news. The post NB459: IBM Aims To Own The Quantum Realm; Amazon Hitches A Ride With SpaceX https://packetpushers.net/podcast/nb459-ibm-aims-to-own-the-quantum-realm-amazon-hitches-a-ride-with-spacex/ appeared first on Packet Pushers https://packetpushers.net.

36m
Dec 11, 2023
NB458: Broadcom Debuts On-Chip Neural Net, Lays Off VMware Staff; Okta Breach Gets Worse

Today's Network Break discusses a new Trident ASIC with an on-chip neural net inference engine, Broadcom staff cuts at VMware, more bad news from an Okta breach, financial results, and more. The post NB458: Broadcom Debuts On-Chip Neural Net, Lays Off VMware Staff; Okta Breach Gets Worse https://packetpushers.net/podcast/nb458-broadcom-debuts-on-chip-neural-net-lays-off-vmware-staff-okta-breach-gets-worse/ appeared first on Packet Pushers https://packetpushers.net.

58m
Dec 04, 2023
NB458: Broadcom Debuts On-Chip Neural Net, Lays Off VMware Staff; Okta Breach Gets Worse

Broadcom’s latest Trident ASIC will include a neural net inference engine on the chip that can analyze traffic  and take action in the packet pipeline, but it’s up to customers to build rules and signatures based on their own training data. Broadcom has also announced it will lay off approximately 1,300 VMware employees. Identity provider... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/nb458-broadcom-debuts-on-chip-neural-net-lays-off-vmware-staff-okta-breach-gets-worse/

58m
Dec 04, 2023
NB457: Broadcom, VMware Tie The Knot; Nvidia SuperNICs Target AI Ethernet Acceleration

Broadcom clears the last hurdle to close its $69 billion purchase of VMware, but what comes next? Nvidia debuts a SuperNIC to accelerate Ethernet for AI workloads, China and India advance their satellite Internet efforts, and Nvidia puts up jaw-dropping results in its latest quarterly earnings. The post NB457: Broadcom, VMware Tie The Knot; Nvidia SuperNICs Target AI Ethernet Acceleration https://packetpushers.net/podcast/nb457-broadcom-vmware-tie-the-knot-nvidia-supernics-target-ai-ethernet-acceleration/ appeared first on Packet Pushers https://packetpushers.net.

52m
Nov 27, 2023
NB457: Broadcom, VMware Tie The Knot; Nvidia SuperNICs Target AI Ethernet Acceleration

Now that Broadcom’s $69 billion VMware acquisition is complete, will Broadcom invest more in VMware to compete in multi-cloud or settle for profitable revenue collection from existing customers? Nvidia debuts a SuperNIC designed to accelerate Ethernet to support AI workloads and announces partnerships with server makers to bundle its NIC in an AI Ethernet stack.... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/nb457-broadcom-vmware-tie-the-knot-nvidia-supernics-target-ai-ethernet-acceleration/

52m
Nov 27, 2023
NB456: China Flexes Tech Muscles With 1.2Tb Backbone; Will CISOs Mitigate Risk Or Liability?

China demonstrates the strength of its home-grown technology industry by announcing a 1.2Tbit Internet backbone that stretches 3,000 kilometers, Fortinet warns of a 9.8 severity bug in its SIEM product, and Nvidia and Dell roll out ready-made models and infrastructure for enterprises to build their own generative AI apps. HPE Aruba Networking releases a new... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/nb456-china-flexes-tech-muscles-with-1-2tb-backbone-will-cisos-mitigate-risk-or-liability/

38m
Nov 20, 2023
NB456: China Flexes Tech Muscles With 1.2Tb Backbone; Will CISOs Mitigate Risk Or Liability?

China demonstrates the strength of its home-grown technology industry by announcing a 1.2Tbit Internet backbone that stretches 3,000 kilometers, Fortinet warns of a 9.8 severity bug in its SIEM product, and we continue our ongoing discussion about the precarious role of the CISO, plus more tech news, in this episode of the Network Break podcast. The post NB456: China Flexes Tech Muscles With 1.2Tb Backbone; Will CISOs Mitigate Risk Or Liability? https://packetpushers.net/podcast/nb456-china-flexes-tech-muscles-with-1-2tb-backbone-will-cisos-mitigate-risk-or-liability/ appeared first on Packet Pushers https://packetpushers.net.

38m
Nov 20, 2023
NB455: Extreme Announces ZTNA Offering; Palo Alto Networks Spends Big On A Browser Startup

Extreme Networks is jumping into Zero Trust Network Access, Palo Alto Networks is reportedly spending more than half a billion dollars to acquire a corporate browser startup, and Forrester predicts as much as 20% of VMware’s customers may jump ship after the Broadcom acquisition completes. Arista touts a strong third quarter, while F5 forecasts a... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/nb455-extreme-announces-ztna-offering-palo-alto-networks-spends-big-on-a-browser-startup/

49m
Nov 13, 2023
NB455: Extreme Announces ZTNA Offering; Palo Alto Networks Spends Big On A Browser Startup

Extreme Networks is jumping into Zero Trust Network Access, Palo Alto Networks is reportedly spending more than half a billion dollars to acquire a corporate browser startup, and Forrester predicts as much as 20% of VMware's customers may jump ship after the Broadcom acquisition completes. We cover these stories and more in today's Network Break podcast. The post NB455: Extreme Announces ZTNA Offering; Palo Alto Networks Spends Big On A Browser Startup https://packetpushers.net/podcast/nb455-extreme-announces-ztna-offering-palo-alto-networks-spends-big-on-a-browser-startup/ appeared first on Packet Pushers https://packetpushers.net.

49m
Nov 13, 2023
NB454: Is Bad InfoSec Now Securities Fraud?

We discuss potential repercussions for security executives after the SEC charges Solar Winds’ CISCO with fraud, examine a new SD-LAN offering from Versa Networks that aims to integrate security controls into a campus fabric, and discuss a new open-source tool from Cloudflare for scrubbing sensitive authentication tokens from HAR files. Extreme Networks posts strong revenues... Read more » https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/network-break-454-is-bad-infosec-now-securities-fraud/

50m
Nov 06, 2023
Network Break 454: Is Bad InfoSec Now Securities Fraud?

On today's Network Break we discuss potential repercussions for security executives after the SEC charges Solar Winds' CISCO with fraud, examine a new SD-LAN offering from Versa Networks that aims to integrate security controls into a campus fabric, and look at a new open-source tool from Cloudflare for scrubbing sensitive authentication tokens from HAR files. The post Network Break 454: Is Bad InfoSec Now Securities Fraud? https://packetpushers.net/podcast/network-break-454-is-bad-infosec-now-securities-fraud/ appeared first on Packet Pushers https://packetpushers.net.

50m
Nov 06, 2023
Network Break 453: Cisco Invests In Quantum Networking; SmartNIC Sales Surge; Intel Unplugs Another Business

Today's episode includes Cisco patching a critical vulnerability affecting IOS-XE gear, startup Prosimo releasing a cost calculator to help network engineers track their public cloud networking costs, and Juniper integrating its SD-WAN to the AWS cloud WAN. We also cover Cisco's investment in a quantum networking startup, growing DPU sales, and Intel divesting from pluggable optical modules. The post Network Break 453: Cisco Invests In Quantum Networking; SmartNIC Sales Surge; Intel Unplugs Another Business https://packetpushers.net/podcast/network-break-453-cisco-invests-in-quantum-networking-smartnic-sales-surge-intel-unplugs-another-business/ appeared first on Packet Pushers https://packetpushers.net.

54m
Oct 30, 2023
NB453: Cisco Invests In Quantum Networking; SmartNIC Sales Surge; Intel Unplugs Another Business

Today's episode includes Cisco patching a critical vulnerability affecting IOS-XE gear, startup Prosimo releasing a cost calculator to help network engineers track their public cloud networking costs, and Juniper integrating its SD-WAN to the AWS cloud WAN. We also cover Cisco's investment in a quantum networking startup, growing DPU sales, and Intel divesting from pluggable optical modules.

54m
Oct 30, 2023
NB452: Cisco Makes You Feel Vulnerable; Broadcom 25.6Tbps Routing ASIC Targets Custom Silicon; China Mandates IPv6

This week's IT news podcast covers a serious Cisco exploit against IOS XE, new firewalls from Juniper, Broadcom's hopes to capture the routing market with merchant silicon, more movement on restoring net neutrality in the US, and more.

47m
Oct 23, 2023
Network Break 452: Cisco Makes You Feel Vulnerable; Broadcom 25.6Tbps Routing ASIC Targets Custom Silicon; China Mandates IPv6

This week's IT news podcast covers a serious Cisco exploit against IOS XE, new firewalls from Juniper, Broadcom's hopes to capture the routing market with merchant silicon, more movement on restoring net neutrality in the US, and more. The post Network Break 452: Cisco Makes You Feel Vulnerable; Broadcom 25.6Tbps Routing ASIC Targets Custom Silicon; China Mandates IPv6 https://packetpushers.net/podcast/network-break-452-cisco-makes-you-feel-vulnerable-broadcom-25-6tbps-routing-asic-targets-custom-silicon-china-mandates-ipv6/ appeared first on Packet Pushers https://packetpushers.net.

47m
Oct 23, 2023
Network Break 451: Making A Ruckus About Wi-Fi 7; Arista Announces 25G Layer 1 Switches; AWS To Require MFA

This week's Network Break covers a new set of Layer 1 switches from Arista for high-frequency trading, Ruckus announcing a (pre-ratified) Wi-Fi 7 AP, and AWS planning to require multi-factor authentication starting in mid-2024. MGM Resorts says it will take a $100 million hit due to a security breach, the UK finally fines Equifax for a 2017 breach, and Broadcom may have cleared a China hurdle to its VMware acquisition. The post Network Break 451: Making A Ruckus About Wi-Fi 7; Arista Announces 25G Layer 1 Switches; AWS To Require MFA https://packetpushers.net/podcast/network-break-451-making-a-ruckus-about-wi-fi-7-arista-announces-25g-layer-1-switches-aws-to-require-mfa/ appeared first on Packet Pushers https://packetpushers.net.

44m
Oct 16, 2023