Monthly Archives: June 2018

kernel of truth podcast

Kernel of Truth episode 02: Day 2 operations



Network monitoring, “Wonderwall” by Oasis, virtual test environments, Wu-Tang Clan (Cumulus Rules Everything Around Me!), validating configurations and cursed email chains. What do all of these things have in common? They’re all topics in Kernel of Truth’s second episode! Now, if you want to know HOW all of these seemingly random talking points fit together, you’ll have to listen for yourself, but the main focus of this discussion is Day 2 operations. Specifically, we get into important topics like:

  • The importance of accurate virtual environments
  • Managing configuration changes
  • How to handle updating configs and removing vulnerabilities
  • Why screenshots of Word documents make network operators die inside
  • And more!

Our guest panel consists of two networking ops experts from Cumulus Networks: Rama Darbha, who you’ll remember from our previous episode on network automation, and Pete Lumbis. These industry pros provide first-hand experience and insight into why Day 2 operations deserve just as much attention as architectural design.


kernel of truth podcast

Kernel of Truth episode 01: Networking Automation



We decided to kick off the first episode of Cumulus Networks’ podcast Kernel of Truth with a discussion around one of the most transformative solutions in data center networking: automation. Specifically, we’ll dive into how it’s changing expectations for skill sets, creating new, ambitious roles on networking teams and enabling engineers to push the boundaries of innovation. For our guests, You’ll be treated to the sweet, dulcet tones of Cumulus Networks’ automation experts, Brian O’Sullivan (Product Manager) and Rama Darbha (Senior Consulting Engineer). Your host is, well, yours truly — apologies in advance for the terrible puns, but if you’ve read any of my regular blog posts, you understand those are inevitable.

Enjoy!