Dive into the history of Cisco Systems, the networking giant that fundamentally changed how computers communicate. Founded in 1984 by Stanford University computer scientists Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner, Cisco pioneered the local area network (LAN) router to connect distant computer systems,. From its origins in campus technology to becoming the world's most valuable company at the height of the dot-com bubble in 2000, we trace the massive growth of this Silicon Valley titan,.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Acquisition Engine: How Cisco expanded beyond routers into security, collaboration, and the Internet of Things (IoT) by acquiring major companies like Webex, Sourcefire, and most recently, the $28 billion purchase of Splunk,,.
• Leadership & Evolution: The transition from long-time CEO John Chambers to current CEO Chuck Robbins, and the company's pivot toward software, AI, and high-speed "Silicon One" chips,.
• Surveillance & Security Controversies: A look at the allegations facing the company, including the discovery of NSA backdoors in firewalls, purported involvement in China’s internet censorship via the "Golden Shield" project, and billion-dollar patent disputes,,.
• Current State of Affairs: Recent corporate restructuring, including significant layoffs in 2024 and 2025, and the company's move to new headquarters in San Jose’s Santana Row,, .

Join us as we analyze how a husband-and-wife team’s "Blue Box" invention turned into a multinational conglomerate with over 80,000 employees worldwide,.