Episode 15 of the Cisco Optics Podcast is now posted! See below for episode notes. Cisco Optics Podcast Episode 15 Cisco Optics Podcast Episode 15. Silicon photonics explained, with Ron Horan. Part 1 of 5. Silicon photonics was a buzzword in the optics research community for years before it finally became a reality. Cisco recognized it as not only a hot technology, but one that would deliver real value. Hence three key acquisitions in this…

A startup called Rockport Networks has exited stealth mode with an intriguing product: a switchless network. It claims the Rockport Switchless Network product can move data faster and with better latency than switched networks. In a Rockport Switchless Network, switching functionality has been reassigned to intelligent endpoint network cards where these devices (nodes) become the network. Each device has an FPGA and can connect up to 24 endpoints to a dedicated 1U SHFL (pronounced “shuffle”)…

In our modern world, “metaverse” is the term applied to an artificial reality, a virtual world inhabited by avatars that represent real people and perhaps other AI virtual beings, too. What makes the concept relevant to enterprises are the Facebook decision to embrace metaverse as the future, the fact that others like Microsoft are following along, and the promise that it could redefine meetings, sales calls, support, and even work overall. Network planners would then…

The Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) model is a conceptual framework that describes networking or telecommunications systems as seven layers, each with its own function. The layers help network pros visualize what is going on within their networks and can help network managers narrow down problems (Is it a physical issue or something with the application?), as well as computer programmers (when developing an application, which other layers does it need to work with?). Tech vendors…

Congratulations to security advocate Wouter Hindriks of Avit Group! Cybersecurity defenders have had an extra challenging job to do over the past year and a half. While critical, securing our digital world can sometimes be a thankless and exhausting endeavor, especially under these unprecedented circumstances. One tried-and-true way to get through difficult situations, however, is by connecting with others. Sharing security insights through ‘The Cisco Gateway’ The Cisco Gateway is a peer networking community developed…

There is no doubt about it: “Software is eating the world, but services are eating software.”[i] Every day, we see customer value shifting away from products and solutions to experiences and outcomes. The powerful combination of the cloud and software as a service (SaaS) has been fueling this fast-moving trend. Beyond technology innovation, another evolution has also been at play. The clue is in the name… Software-as-a-Service. As customers moved from software to SaaS, they…