My EtherealMind

Is OpenFlow Open ? I Ask – Compared to What ?

Greg Ferro — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:08:53 +0000

I’ve always wondered whether the Open Networking Foundation is the correct caretaker of the standards process for Software Defined Networking. Recently, we’ve seen some questioning of the direction of those standards on OpenFlow, and, now that we are beginning to understand the concepts of controllers, Software Defined Networking these are good questions to ask. it shows [...]

Comparing Embrane and Nicira Is Pointless – They Are Different

Greg Ferro — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:32:51 +0000

Had a few conversations, and some articles, where comparisons are being made between Embrane and Nicira and wanted to point out that there are few similarities between these companies.

Defining Flow Forwarding Instead of Switch or Routing

Greg Ferro — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:28:54 +0000

Wherein I make the case OpenFlow like technologies are neither switching or routing. It's Flow Forwarding, or just Forwarding.

Internets of Interest for 4th February

bookmarks — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:54:38 +0000

Collection of useful, relevant or just fun places on the Internets for 4th February and a bit commentary about what I’ve found interesting about them: Real World Technologies – IBM z196 Mainframe Architecture – A amazing insight into the hardware architecture of the IBM mainframe. Lots of insights into how a different hardware architecture works. [...]

PacketPushers- Ethan Banks: Why Salespeople Sell to Others in Your Organization but Not You

Greg Ferro — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:19:25 +0000

Ethan Banks does it again. This exactly describes what happens to me when I'm discussing technology with a vendor. Whether it's as a #TechFieldDay delegate, or as a customer it's I'm always reworking my mental picture of how a a design change could impact a system.

Predicting What Will Not Be Big in 2012

Greg Ferro — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:05:32 +0000

I've been working on making some predictions about 2012 and networking. I like to do this in the year of 2012 (not 2011 like everyone else) and I like to go further than anyone else and predict what WILL NOT be big in 2012.

Cisco Easy Virtual Network – Because MPLS Is Too Complicated¡

Greg Ferro — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:03:27 +0000

Oh my. Cisco thinks MPLS is too complicated for Enterprises so it's invented a new proprietary protocol called EVN (Easy Virtual Network).

Updated: Webinar on SDN and OpenFlow on Feb 7th – Now With More “Space”

Greg Ferro — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:29:01 +0000

The original Webex session for this event was booked out within two weeks and we closed the event. We have increased the webinar ‘seats’ and have re-opened the bookings. This post is a repeat of the earlier so that you can sign up to the event if you missed out. I’m pleased to announce that [...]

My Networking Beliefs

Greg Ferro — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:51:54 +0000

Someone wrote me and asked "Greg, What do you believe is the future of Networking". Here is my (mostly) humorous response.

Network Dictionary – “Run That Up the Flagpole”

Greg Ferro — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:29:33 +0000

Define "Run That Up the Flagpole"

Using Underscores, Hyphens or CamelCase in Naming Standards

Greg Ferro — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:05:32 +0000

I’ve been considering a small but vital problem in naming conventions in Networking. Namely, the use of underscores and hyphens in object names and devices. It’s a hot topic for argument when the time comes for corporate standards (and when Network Engineers have beverages in a public house). Now, I figure that there are three possible grammar options for making names - hyphens, underscore and CamelCase.

Internets of Interest for 25th January 2012

bookmarks — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:01:10 +0000

Collection of useful, relevant or inane places on the the Internets for 25th January: Algorithmic Education (including the Mathematics of Cramming) | Wired Science | Wired.com – Another article supporting spaced learning - that is, you can’t cram knowledge and remember it in the long term. Also, you will need to keep refreshing that knowledge to maintain it. [...]

VRRP. CARP. Open Standards and Royalties on LC Connectors

Greg Ferro — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:05:45 +0000

In which I look at CARP vs VRRP, the nature of open standards and closed source fibre optic connectors that you pay royalties on, but you probably don't know about.

Network Dictionary – WOMBAT

Greg Ferro — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:27:08 +0000

Define a "Wombat" project.

Gnodal – A New Type of Fabric and Silicon – Impressive

Greg Ferro — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:11:08 +0000

I went on a personal "Tech Field Day" this evening and visited Gnodal to talk about their Ethernet switches. Lets face it, I'm pretty impressed.

Packet Pushers – Show 83 – We Are an Independent Show

Greg Ferro — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:03:26 +0000

This week it's just Greg and Ethan talking over a few topics. What was intended to be a quick half hour chat for the new year about Packet Pushers turned into a more than an hour on a whole range of topics that interest us, especially on independence and community. Some technical, some industry stuff and some about our own lives.

Merchant Silicon and Vendor Software – The Hype in 2012

Greg Ferro — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:01:35 +0000

The thing about merchant silicon is how far it has penetrated the network vendors. In fact, it's getting difficult switches that don't have the same Network Processor inside as any other vendor. Networking hardware is looking like servers hardware - glue some chips and then market the heck out of your pretty colours.

Musing:Cloud Data, Ownership and Government Sponsored Data Theft

Greg Ferro — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:50:45 +0000

Pondering on data ownership, and whether governements could legally steal data from offshore organisations

Can Fibre Optic Ethernet Cables Be Longer Than the Standard ?

Greg Ferro — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:41:10 +0000

Short Answer is "It depends, but usually yes." Long answer follows with a discussion of launch power, receiver sensitivity, and cable losses.

Internets of Interest:30 Dec 2011

bookmarks — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:01:21 +0000

Collection of useful, relevant or inane places on the the Internets for 30 Dec 2011:

Rant: Screen Reading – Comparing Windows and MAC

Greg Ferro — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:13:20 +0000

In the last couple of years, I find that I rarely use physical books to read something new. I recently started a new role that requires me to use a Windows 7 laptop and I'm finding it unreadable. Either there is something wrong with Windows or Apple have done something exceptional with screen displays.

Responding: On Optimizing Traffic for Network Virtualization

Greg Ferro — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:10:47 +0000

I'm responding to Brad Hedlund's post "On optimizing traffic for network virtualization" where he seems to missed a key point. It's about cost of ownership in terms of ability to troubleshoot.

Dear Network Santa, for Christmas Can I Have ……

Greg Ferro — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:37:17 +0000

I'm sitting on Santa's knee, and telling him how good I've and been and what I would like for Christmas. When you say it like that, it's kind of creepy.

OpenFlow and Software Defined Networking: Is It Routing or Switching ?

Greg Ferro — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:06:14 +0000

I got asked a question by a reader "is OpenFlow used for Routing or Switching ?"