Welcome to Link Propagation, a Packet Pushers newsletter. Link Propagation is included in your free Ignition membership.
We provide the links. You provide the thinks.
Blogs
1. Snowflake Networks – Lost In Transit
Daniel Dib examines some common reasons why complexity creeps into network design and operations, resulting in the fabled “snowflake” network. Those reasons include inexperienced networkers, lack of a proper design process, and business requirements. He also offers tips for dealing with complex networks, since we all know they aren’t going away.
2. netdev day 1: IPsec! – Julia Evans
Julia Evans is a software developer who’s actively learning other parts of the IT stack, including networking. She shares her learning through blog posts and illustrated zines, which is pretty cool. In this blog installment she explores the basics of IPSec. If you’re new to the protocol this is a great introduction. If you’re comfortable with it, it’s a good refresher.
3. JUNOS: IS-IS STUDY NOTES, PART 3 – FOR JUNIPER’S JNCIS-SP and JNCIS-ENT EXAMS – Network Fun Times
If you’re studying for a JNCIS-ENT exam, or just interested in learning more about Juniper’s implementation of IS-IS, this blog series is for you. This post also has links to parts 1 and 2.
4. Independence, Impartiality, and Perspective – Networking Nerd
When reading technical blogs and content, it’s normal to want to know if the author is independent or impartial–that is, are you getting information or a viewpoint that isn’t swayed by some commercial influence or interest. Tom Hollingsworth, who helps run Tech Field Day and relies on the tech community for delegates, parses the differences of being independent and impartial.
Tech News
1. Amazon’s cloud unit plans to sell own networking switches – The Information – Reuters
Tech website The Information cites unnamed sources saying the Web giant is mulling whether to sell whitebox switches directly to its customers to better integrate its cloud services with customer data centers. Stock prices of incumbent switch vendors dipped a bit, but it’s not clear if Amazon is just floating an idea to gauge the reaction, or if it really plans to get into the network hardware business. I need to think about this one a bit longer.
The link below is a summary by Reuters. The Information’s site is gated, but if you are willing to give them your email, you can read the original here.
2. A Tale Of Two – Well, Three Or Four – Kubernetes – The Next Platform
How many container platforms does one company need to sell? If you’re VMware, the magic number is four.
3. Cisco Chief Executive’s New Mantra: Simplify Computer Networks – New York Times
The NY Times looks at the competitive pressures and evolving technology landscape forcing Cisco to preach the gospel of simplification.
4. How Silicon Valley Fuels an Informal Caste System – Wired
A former startup founder and Facebook employee ruminates on the 4 class levels emerging in San Francisco and Silicon Valley: the Inner Party (VCs and rich entreprenuers), the Outer Party (coders, engineers, technicians), the Service Class (Uber drivers, restaurant workers), and the Untouchables (the poor, the homeless).
“The Service Class will likely never be able to drive/shop/handyman enough to rise to the Outer Party, at least not without additional training or skills. They’re mostly avoiding the descent to Untouchable status, while dealing with precarious gigs that disappear semi-regularly.”
Experience class anxiety and/or outrage here
Vendor & Industry Blogs & Announcements
Shutting down the BGP Hijack Factory – Dyn Blog
DevOps Newsletters – DevOps Newsletters.com
Coriant Introduces Carrier-Class IP/MPLS Network Operating System – Coriant
Apica Announces Next Generation Scripting Tools – Apica
Network Break
Network Break 192: Dell Goes Public Again; Vodafone Trials Whitebox Optical
Dell moves to go public, spurns IPO – Reuters
Vodafone begins its trek with Voyager – Cumulus Networks Blog
Vodafone deploys TIP’s Voyager in a live network trial to transform optical networks – Vodaphone
Breaking LTE on Layer Two – Alter Attack
Google Cloud Executive Bryant Leaves After Less Than a Year – Bloomberg
Swedish Private Equity Fund Acquires SUSE for $2.5B – SDX Central
Micron says China ban unfair but won’t hurt revenue – Reuters
U.S. Allows ZTE to Resume Some Business Activity Temporarily – Bloomberg
China’s ZTE Corp names c-suite executives in step toward U.S. ban lift – Reuters
Marvell Bulls Breathe Sigh of Relief as China Approves Cavium Deal – Barron’s
