The following summary has been condensed for length and readability. To listen to the full discussion, click here. This episode is sponsored by ETI Software and VETRO FiberMap.
In this episode of the Broadband Bunch, Pete Pizzutillo chats with Nina Bargisen, Director of Technical Evangelism at Kentik. The discussion dives into Nina’s journey and the world of network observability.
Nina’s career spans over 20 years in telecommunications, building networks and enhancing connectivity. Her shift to Kentik allowed her to leverage her extensive experience to improve their network observability tool—a crucial asset she wished she had earlier in her career.
Network observability goes beyond monitoring; it’s about combining all network data to answer questions and uncover issues you didn’t even know existed. It provides analytics on connectivity, DDoS protection, capacity planning, and more, by enriching traffic data with contextual information like traffic source, path, and device.
Kentik’s flow-based cloud solution is beneficial for all types of network providers, from small ISPs to tier-one providers. It offers an easy setup for smaller providers and managed services for larger ones, ensuring robust network performance without extensive hardware investments.
Network observability helps identify complex issues that typical monitoring systems might miss. For instance, Kentik can monitor and track over-the-top services, combining DNS lookups with flow data to identify and resolve service degradation issues promptly, enhancing overall customer satisfaction.
Nina emphasizes the critical role of connectivity in our daily lives, especially as more aspects move online. Network providers need to stay competitive by maintaining high-quality networks and addressing issues proactively. Future-proofing the network infrastructure is essential, given the upcoming advancements in telehealth, autonomous vehicles, and more.
Nina discusses the European approach of separating infrastructure from services, allowing innovation and competition. This model contrasts with the US, where less regulation has led to fewer providers. However, private equity investors are increasingly interested in building infrastructure companies.
Operators should build networks capable of handling dynamic customer demands, such as temporary bandwidth increases or vacation home connectivity. Understanding traffic patterns and having the right tools for network analysis are crucial for efficient network management.
The consolidation trend in the industry is reshaping the market, with smaller providers being absorbed by larger ones. This could lead to reduced competition and potential overbuilding. Regulators need to balance fostering competition while avoiding wasteful infrastructure duplication.
For more information, visit Kentik’s website kentik.com or meet them at network conferences like NANOG.
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