Is Open-Source the Future of Networking? With Kris Beevers From NetBox Labs
In this episode of The Anycast, Matt talks to Kristopher Beevers, the CEO of NetBox Labs, a solution that helps companies build and manage complex networks. Previously, Kris co-founded and led NS1, which was acquired by IBM in 2023.
They discuss the remarkable rise of open-source projects, why many networking businesses are shifting towards cloud-based solutions, and the opportunities to watch out for in the networking space.
- What is NetBox, and what makes it unique? It’s a tool used for network documentation and automation, serving as a source of truth for network configurations.
- NetBox's business model differs from other open-source ventures because they focus more on alleviating the burden of software management for network engineers.
- Networking is evolving at a fast pace. Kristopher shares what you can do today to keep up and take advantage of future opportunities.
- The difference between building a company from zero to one, the startup experience, and one to N.
- Kristopher breaks down the economics of the cloud and the type of companies that could save a lot of money by going to the cloud.
- How open-source companies make money and stay in business.
- According to Kristopher, hiring great people often comes down to impact. For example, engineers want to work on cool tech, but they also want to see that the tech they're working on has an impact on the world.
- Kristopher shares how being a parent changed his approach to leadership.
- Matt and Kristopher discuss the resurgence of Nokia and how their decision to go the open-source route could restore their status as a tech and networking giant.
- Matt and Kristopher agree that most network services will shift towards cloud-based solutions.
- Kristopher discusses the need to strike a balance between community-driven development and commercial support to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of open-source solutions.
- What is the sustainability of open-source projects like NetBox?
- Matt and Kristopher agree that such projects can be widely adopted but often rely on volunteer contributions. This poses challenges in long-term maintenance, development, and profitability.
- The pros and cons of building a company in public and transparently sharing the behind scenes of how you do it.
- Matt highlights the benefits of aligning employee development goals with the company's objectives. Companies must design roles that cater to an individual’s career paths and aspirations, while ensuring alignment between personal growth and organizational goals.
- Kristopher predicts that open-source solutions will disrupt traditional vendor ecosystems. More open-source solutions will gain traction and challenge established norms in the networking industry.
- For Kris, the reason AWS can give you the “cattle not pets” experience is purely scale. Even the biggest cloud providers can't deliver that experience because the scale isn't there.
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