Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation

In this insightful episode of Altitude, Woody welcomes Joe Davolos, a distinguished network security expert and global solutions architect at Aviatrix, to discuss the importance of applying zero trust principles inside the cloud network rather than just at the edge.

Joe offers many valuable insights on how enterprises can implement zero trust inside the cloud network and improve security, including leveraging tags as strong forms of identity and using distributed security enforcement to improve mean time to response. Joe and Woody also explore the benefits of merging the Network Operation Center (NOC) and Security Operation Center (SOC), suggesting this convergence could lead to more cohesive and effective security strategies that drive the business forward.

Learn more about the power of a distributed approach to cloud security: https://resources.aviatrix.com/home/aviatrix-distributed-cloud-firewall?utm_medium=in_app&utm_source=altitude&utm_campaign=altitude-podcast-2024&utm_content=distributed-cloud-firewall-whitepaper

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-davolos-296b8596

Timestamped Overview:
00:00 Joe’s background at Palo Alto Networks and why he chose to work at Aviatrix. 
03:50 The convergence of networking and security.
06:31 Understanding users, applications, data, and security.
10:14 Challenge, look inward, think critically, leverage cloud.
12:14 Tags can be useful but potentially dangerous.
17:03 Tags enrich security platform, strong dynamic identity, build control based on the objective of each tag.
18:41 Challenges with cloud workload context and security.
23:59 Building effective cloud operations with technology and partnerships.
25:04 Challenges in security programs require investment and focus.
29:15 Leverage Distributed Cloud Firewall for improved security and mean time to respond.
32:43 Questioning past models, advocating for unity and tech analysis.

In this episode of Altitude, Woody is joined by Nick Lippis, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Open Networking User Group (ONUG), who brings more than 25 years of experience in networking with a current focus on hybridity and multicloud.

Woody and Nick discuss how enterprises are increasingly adopting hybrid and multicloud infrastructure to give more options and flexibility, how AI will impact networking and security, the convergence of NOC (network operations center) and SOC (security operations center), and the importance of maintaining control over convenience in enterprise cloud infrastructure.

Learn more about Altitude and Host Woody: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/?utm_medium=in_app&utm_source=altitude&utm_campaign=altitude-podcast-2024&utm_content=altitude-landing-page

Learn how to master cloud networking control:
https://resources.aviatrix.com/home/master-cloud-networking-control?utm_medium=in_app&utm_source=altitude&utm_campaign=altitude-podcast-2024&utm_content=master-cloud-networking-control-solution-brief

Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicklippis/

Timestamped Overview:
00:00 Intro
04:31 Cloud services need structures for control.
07:19 Transfer service management to on-prem team.
10:34 Specialization and hybrid/multicloud approach for infrastructure.
13:18 AI deployment in various industries, especially healthcare.
16:59 Rapid growth of AI infrastructure products explained.
20:14 AI will change networking, raising concerns.
25:32 Exponential growth leads to phenomenal computational advancements.
29:43 Convergence of networking and security for AI.
31:22 Lack of AI standards poses infrastructure challenge.
34:22 AI combining NOC and SOC to reduce costs.

This week’s episode of Altitude features Tchimwa Sougang, a seasoned cloud networking engineer for Azure and Aviatrix Certified Engineer (ACE) Professional, who brings a wealth of knowledge from the frontlines of troubleshooting enterprise cloud networks.

Woody and Tchimwa discuss the challenges of troubleshooting cloud networks, diving into the pitfalls of improper implementation and the lack of cloud-specific expertise and collaboration between DevOps and networking teams. They also discuss the emotional hurdles network engineers face as they move to the cloud, adapting to complex services and losing control of the network. Tchimwa shares customer success stories as well, highlighting the importance of investing in cloud networking training and letting go of antiquated practices to embrace services optimized for the cloud.

Learn more about Altitude and Host Woody: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/?utm_medium=in_app&utm_source=altitude&utm_campaign=altitude-podcast-2024&utm_content=altitude-landing-page

Gain the skills that set you apart in today’s multicloud environments through the ACE Program: https://aviatrix.com/ace/?utm_medium=in_app&utm_source=altitude&utm_campaign=altitude-podcast-2024&utm_content=ace-homepage

Enable precise network performance and collaborative incident management with Aviatrix Network Insights API: https://resources.aviatrix.com/cloud-networking/aviatrix-network-insights-api-feature-highlights?utm_medium=in_app&utm_source=altitude&utm_campaign=altitude-podcast-2024&utm_content=network-insights-api-feature-highlights-fact-sheet

Connect with Tchimwa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tchimwasougang/

Timestamped Overview:
00:00 Intro
06:04 Challenging the false expectations of cloud network.
07:21 Private links and endpoints differ by solution.
10:02 New cloud engineers struggle with lack of network visibility.
15:25 Lack of infrastructure control leading to issues.
18:50 DevOps troubleshoot network issues without help.
20:01 Businesses need cloud networking experts for success.
23:53 Help field with presales by proving concept.
26:56 Cloud networking faces skill and training challenges.
32:23 Improving by learning and setting up properly.
33:31 Reflecting on cases to improve customer experience.

In this episode of Altitude, Woody is joined by Cameron Lim, Director of Partner Development at Microsoft. Cameron shares the power of Microsoft’s partner ecosystem, drawing from his experience leading the US Assisted Growth ISV partner program with over 300 partners.

Cameron delves into what it means to be a Microsoft partner, what makes Microsoft’s partner program unique in the industry, the impact of Satya Nadella on the program, and the impact of partners, such as OpenAI, on Microsoft. They also discuss what’s next for Microsoft’s partnership program, emphasizing the goal of simplifying the partner program to make it easier for partners to engage with customers and accelerate success.

Learn about Aviatrix’s partnership with Microsoft: https://aviatrix.com/aviatrix-and-azure/?utm_medium=in_app&utm_source=altitude&utm_campaign=altitude-podcast-2024&utm_content=azure-partner-page

Learn more about Altitude and Host Woody: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/?utm_medium=in_app&utm_source=altitude&utm_campaign=altitude-podcast-2024&utm_content=altitude-landing-page

Connect with Cameron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronlim/

Timestamped Overview:
01:17 Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, selection process, and partner-first approach. 
06:07 Praise for Microsoft’s corporate culture transformation shaped by Satya.
09:34 Partnership is integral to business – not secondary.
10:17 The importance of flexibility and curiosity for a successful partnership.
13:39 Cameron’s experience during the announcement of Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI.
19:18 The future of Microsoft’s partnership program.
21:46 Helping people find meaningful careers and joy.

In this insightful episode of Altitude, Woody welcomes Adam Stipkovits, Multicloud Network Architect, to the show. Adam brings valuable insights with his robust networking background in Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS and his certification as an Aviatrix Certified Engineer (ACE) Design Expert. He unpacks the challenges associated with visibility, cost control, and the skills gap in the cloud, drawing from findings from Aviatrix’s 2024 Secure Cloud Networking Field Report and how we can stay ahead of these challenges. 

Throughout their discussion, Woody and Adam explore the intricate hurdles of managing cloud-based architectures across multinational companies. They dissect the challenges associated with visibility, cost control, and the transitioning of legacy systems to more agile cloud networks. Adam, drawing from the projects he's spearheaded, illustrates strategies for bandwidth optimization and efficient data routing—vital for contemporary cloud operations.

The episode doesn't shy away from the human aspect of the tech as Adam shares personal insights on the shift from traditional to cloud networking, emphasizing the necessity for continual learning and upskilling. Moreover, the conversation touches on the crucial coordination between security, cloud, and network teams to mitigate outages and streamline operations.

Dive deeper into the findings from Aviatrix’s 2024 Secure Cloud Networking Field Report: https://pages.aviatrix.com/2024-secure-cloud-networking-field-report.html?utm_medium=in_app&utm_source=altitude&utm_campaign=altitude-podcast-2024&utm_content=2024-secure-cloud-networking-field-report
Learn more about Altitude and Host Woody: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/?utm_medium=in_app&utm_source=altitude&utm_campaign=altitude-podcast-2024&utm_content=altitude-landing-page

Adam’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-stipkovits/?originalSubdomain=hu

Timestamped Overview:
00:00 Cloud networking report: cloud costs, visibility, cloud security, cloud skills gap.
06:12 Transition from cloud explorers to business supporters.
08:52 Diverse architectures create tech debt challenges.
13:23 Focus on compute and data cost, network infrastructure.
14:36 Network investment critical for stability and efficiency.
18:14 Speculation on data center and cloud performance.
22:46 63% struggle to hire, 66% lack resources for cloud initiatives
26:27 Upskilling essential, resourceful team, facing time challenges.
27:50 Transition from network to cloud, steep learning curve and cloud certifications that helped.

In this episode of Altitude, Woody is joined by Brad Casemore, who has over 30 years of experience in networking and connectivity and recently retired from IDC. Brad shares his wealth of insights with Woody on the critical role networking plays in today's business landscape.

They delve into the impact of digital transformation and cloud migration on networking, emphasizing how networking is no longer the plumbing of the business – it is the electricity of the business. This leads to a discussion around the need for intelligent automation throughout the entire network life cycle to ensure network scalability, non-disruption, security, and observability.

Brad and Woody wrap up their conversation by discussing the potential of AI for network automation and the caution required to ensure data integrity and proper implementation.

Learn more about Altitude and Host Woody: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/?utm_medium=in_app&utm_source=altitude&utm_campaign=altitude-podcast-2024&utm_content=altitude-landing-page
 
Manage and monitor your cloud infrastructure seamlessly with Aviatrix CoPilot: https://aviatrix.com/cloud-network-and-security-operations/?utm_medium=in_app&utm_source=altitude&utm_campaign=altitude-podcast-2024&utm_content=copilot-landing-page

Connect with Brad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-casemore-a64211/
Check out Brad’s blog: https://crepuscular-circus.ghost.io/

Timestamped Overview:
00:00 Importance of networking in business discussions. Shift from networking as plumbing to electricity. 
04:24 Network reliability crucial as IT became business critical.
08:50 Internet and technology's impact on business growth.
11:15 Applications crucial for digital business success, cloud native.
16:03 Cloud has altered network and application monitoring.
19:15 Cloud built for apps, traditional data centers outdated.
23:26 Efficiency, automation, and agility in networking.
25:45 Use tools for automation and verification throughout the entire network cycle.
27:25 Transition to automated networking is crucial today.
30:32 AI’s role in network automation.

In this episode of Altitude, Woody welcomes back Mitch Connors, Sr. Principal Engineer and Product Manager at Aviatrix. Mitch, with 19 years of experience as a developer, offers invaluable insights into the state of Kubernetes and containers in the industry.

The conversation revolves around the growth and challenges of Kubernetes adoption, this time at an industry level, with Mitch shedding light on the industry's fascination with Kubernetes and the complex landscape of platform engineering. They discuss the unique requirements for enterprise Kubernetes adoption and the need for a standardized model for networking that accommodates both traditional and container workloads.

Mitch also teases some exciting upcoming announcements from Aviatrix related to Kubernetes at the KubeCon event in Paris, offering a glimpse into Aviatrix's future direction in this space.

Listen to their first episode together on Altitude here: https://youtu.be/FVNjZ2XxphY?si=fsmMQLJRjkKKGSur
Learn more about Altitude and host Woody: http://tinyurl.com/2ptmhs6h

Timestamped Overview:
00:00 Transitioned to new role, learning product management.
05:41 Platform team sizes vary but face challenges.
09:18 Similarities between astrophysics and Kubernetes networking
16:19 Consolidating network security policies with cryptographic identity.
20:17 Expertise in cloud networking and Kubernetes migration.
22:46 Service mesh market forecast fell short.

In this episode, Woody sits down with Mike Gibbs, Founder and CEO of Go Cloud Careers, and Elonzo Coleman, CMO of Go Cloud Careers, to delve into the skills gap in the cloud industry.

With Go Cloud Careers at the forefront of educational innovation in cloud computing, Mike and Elonzo dissect the modern cloud professional's toolkit, highlighting the skills that matter and the limitations of current cloud service provider (CSP) certifications. The CSP certifications fall short as they scratch the surface without diving into how the technology works, why you would use the technology, and how this technology meets the needs of the business.

They also explore the often-overlooked essentials for effective multicloud strategies, addressing the real-world challenges and adeptness required to thrive across varied cloud platforms. Mike and Elonzo argue that it's not the credentials that count, but the understanding of how the different cloud technologies come together and serve the overarching business goals. Lastly, they discuss how AI is changing the approach to the cloud skills gap.

Learn more about Altitude and host Woody: http://tinyurl.com/2ptmhs6h

Uncover critical insights from over 400 cloud, networking, and security practitioners in Aviatrix’s 2024 Secure Cloud Networking Field Report: http://tinyurl.com/48mb7b8w

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gibbs-75820a/
Connect with Elonzo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elonzocoleman/

Timestamped Overview
00:00 Intro
00:29 Insights on the cloud skills gap from Aviatrix’s 2024 Secure Cloud Networking Field Report.
01:20 Factors contributing to the skills gap.  
02:48 The shortcomings of CSP certifications and the practical skills required to succeed in the cloud.
07:50 Is the Cisco networking certification program still valuable?
09:43 Comprehensive training in nontechnical and technical skills.
13:13 How multicloud impacts the skills gap.
13:51 Emphasizing the need for practical cloud training content.
19:05 Traditional firewalls struggle in cloud environments for scalability.
22:32 Automation trends in cloud infrastructure and security.
25:06 Consistent training keeps networking skills current and competent.
26:10 AI’s impact on the skills gap. Engineers transitioning to cloud architect roles need business skills.

In this episode of Altitude, Woody is joined by Brian Gracely, co-host of The Cloudcast podcast and Senior Director of Portfolio Strategy at Red Hat.

With his wealth of experience in the industry, Brian provides unique insights into potential trends for cloud customers in the year ahead. Brian and Woody discuss upcoming changes in migration, customer spending, and the role of AI in driving new business. While Brian and Woody agree that AI will lead to more spending and innovation, they deliberate on the future of cloud infrastructure in light of new AI demands and challenges. Will data for AI continue to move to the cloud, or will it be more successful at the edge?

Brian wraps up the conversation by emphasizing the need for mastering the fundamentals of cloud in order to succeed at scale with AI: “When your fundamentals aren’t there, and you’re just focused on the sizzle as opposed to the steak, that’s where you get yourself in trouble.”

Learn more about Altitude and host Woody: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/
Check out The Cloudcast podcast: https://www.thecloudcast.net/
Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briangracely/

Timestamped Overview:
00:00 Intro.
05:29 Cloud providers offer ARM CPUs, addressing customer needs for reduced cloud costs.
08:29 AI's explosive growth expands business opportunities.
09:43 Tech companies rushing to capitalize on potential growth.
15:14 Conundrum of data and compute in cloud.
18:17 TCO study showed immediate cost savings, efficiency gains.
21:05 Enhancing infrastructure operations through collaborative networking.
29:06 Importance of understanding the fundamentals of cloud before leveraging AI.

In our first episode of 2024, Woody and Remco Niesten, a lead consultant at Uniserver, explore the nuances of sovereign cloud practices within the EU. Remco shares invaluable insights on cloud sovereignty, informed by over 20 years of experience at Uniserver, the leading provider of private cloud services in the Netherlands.

With several new and significant EU privacy laws on the horizon in 2024, Woody and Remco discuss building and optimizing infrastructure for sovereign workloads and comb through nuances on what it means to host sovereign data. They discuss the challenges with deciding between on-premises and public cloud for sovereign solutions and how these two spaces might not be as mutually exclusive as you would think.

The conversation also explores the importance of visibility and control in hybrid environments and the role of technology stack design in ensuring compliance. As they wrap up the conversation, Remco sheds light on future trends in sovereign cloud, including a discussion on containerization for private cloud infrastructure.

Altitude show page: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/
Remco’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/remconiesten/?originalSubdomain=nl

Timestamped Overview:
00:00 Data location, service and pricing benefits customers.
03:51 EU legislation emphasizes sovereignty of data, growing concern.
08:52 Interest in EU business compliance for big CSPs.
12:49 Aviatrix prioritizes end-to-end encryption everywhere.
15:42 Companies choose where workloads fit best. Highly sensitive medical data cannot leave certain areas.
18:50 Inquiry about VMware's long-term viability and relevance.
20:00 AWS and Azure have broad PaaS offerings.