Introduction
The North American Network Operators’ Group (NANOG) hosted its 91st meeting from June 10-12, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. This conference, essential for network professionals, brought together industry experts, engineers, and innovators to discuss the latest developments and challenges in networking. Here’s an overview of the highlights from the agenda and what you missed if you couldn’t make it.
Venue
NANOG91 was held at the Loews Kansas City Hotel. Being based in St. Louis the trip to Kansas City, MO is an easy one for me. The Loews itself was a great setup for a NANOG conference. There was plenty of meeting space, an open-concept lobby bar, and lots of hotel rooms for attendees. Being in downtown, KC it was easy to walk to restaurants and other hotels. I did talk to several attendees who had challenges getting flights to and from the Kansas City airport. That is the one downside to this location but the upside is NANOG91 attracted many attendees from the Midwest who had not been to a NANOG in many years due to travel restrictions at their employer.
Keynote Sessions
Opening Remarks and Keynote (June 10, 10:00 AM)
NANOG 91 kicked off with a welcome from the NANOG Program Committee and the event host, setting the tone for an event focused on technological evolution and collaboration. The keynote address, titled “TCP Terminates on the Floor: The Ebbing Tide of Networking Expertise,” delivered by Corey Quinn from The Duckbill Group, offered a candid exploration of the unintended complexities introduced into networking by cloud adoption. Quinn brought his unique blend of humor, expertise, and practical wisdom to NANOG 91, setting a thought-provoking tone for the conference.
Day 2 Keynote: Network Digital Twin (June 11, 10:00 AM)
Day 2 kicked off with a keynote by Kireeti Kompella from Juniper Networks titled, “Network Digital Twin”. If you have never heard Kompella present, you are really missing out. He has been a thought leader in networking for many years and was one of the inventors of MPLS. In this talk, Kompella explored the concept of a network digital twin (NDT) – a digital replica of a real network. He discussed the potential benefits of NDTs in the context of increasing network automation. The talk covered what NDTs are, how they could be built, and what they could be used for. The focus was on sparking discussion and collaboration, not on specific products or implementation plans.
Technical Sessions
NANOG 91 featured a wide range of other technical sessions covering various aspects of network engineering and operation. Here are a few interesting topics:
- IPv6 Deployment and Challenges
- Network Automation and Orchestration
- Building and Operating Cloud-Native Networks
- BGP Routing Security and RPKi
- Network Monitoring and Measurement
Networking Beyond the Sessions
In addition to the structured sessions, NANOG 91 provided ample networking (the human kind) opportunities. Whether it was during the evening receptions, lunch breaks, Beer N Gear, or impromptu discussions in the hallways, attendees exchanged ideas and fostered new professional relationships.
Why NANOG 91 Matters
NANOG 91 was a critical event for those involved in network operations. It brought together thought leaders and practitioners to share their knowledge, tackle pressing challenges, and explore the technologies driving the next generation of networks. As the world becomes more connected and data traffic continues to grow exponentially, discussions and innovations at events like NANOG are crucial for staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of network technology.
For more details and to access presentation slides and recordings, visit the NANOG 91 agenda page.
Whether you’re a network engineer looking to stay current or an organization aiming to future-proof your infrastructure, NANOG conferences offer invaluable insights and networking opportunities. Mark your calendars for NANOG 92, and be part of the conversation shaping the future of networking.
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