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a16z Podcast | Infrastructure... Is Everything
31 segments available
Infrastructure. It powers everything from cities to computing, yet is sometimes considered "boring" because it is so invisible to so many of us. But as software continues to eat the world, infrastructure has come to the forefront. And some of the most exciting technology innovations are now happening at the infrastructure level: It's changing everything, observes a16z's newest general partner Martin Casado -- from how new tech is created to how new tech is sold. Casado -- one of the pioneers of "software-defined networking" -- joins this episode of the a16z Podcast to share his journey from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to Stanford to Nicira Networks to VMware to a16z. He also discusses the tradeoffs in theoretical v. applied computer "science", including lessons learned as a PhD and technologist who then had to run a startup through hard times. Finally, Casado shares what he thinks are the key vectors and trends in networking, what's coming next, how the "as-a-service"(ification) of infrastructure is creating entirely new patterns of buying tech, and how selling to developers is so different (hint: open source is a lot more important than you might think!).
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Welcome to Infrastructure
In this opening segment, the hosts introduce Martin Casado, a16z's newest general partner, and set the stage for a discussion on infrastructure. They highlight the often-overlooked importance of infrastructure in technology and society, hinting at the exciting innovations occurring at this level.
"hi everyone welcome to the a6 & Z podcast I'm sono and today Michael and I are sitting down with our newest general partner Martine casado who is going to be covering all things infrastructure which s..."
The Sexiness of Infrastructure
Martin Casado argues that infrastructure is not boring but rather the 'sexiest topic on the planet.' He discusses how the invisibility of infrastructure leads to a lack of appreciation, yet when examined closely, it reveals fascinating engineering marvels that drive technological innovation.
"Martine welcome happy to be here he is happy and he's gonna get happier I can tell you as this interview goes on or maybe the opposite as we start asking lots of questions my team you're on you eterna..."
A Journey into Computer Science
Casado shares his unconventional path to computer science, starting from a background in microbiology and physics. He reflects on his early experiences in a lab and how they led him to discover a passion for computer science, ultimately shaping his career in infrastructure.
"Enterprise it's funny because we were just joking about this because infrastructure I think is the sexiest topic on the planet but I think the majority of the world and I'm rolling my eyes yeah it's b..."
From Nuclear Simulations to Networking
In this segment, Casado discusses his work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he was involved in nuclear weapons simulations. He explains how the events of 9/11 shifted his focus towards intelligence and the need for a better understanding of networking.
"is gonna sound really silly but I'm gonna give you two reasons have you ever seen that TV show really big machines yeah TV shows like these a really big machine mining equipment from you know South Af..."
The Shift in National Security Focus
Casado elaborates on the transformation in national security priorities post-9/11, moving from traditional weapons programs to intelligence. He highlights the importance of understanding network infrastructures in this new threat landscape.
"on how to build a modern city it's unbelievable infrastructure and if you look at kind of this shift that's happening in IT in Silicon Valley of course in the popular press you see it from kind of the..."
The Limitations of Traditional Networking
Casado identifies a critical limitation in traditional networking: the inability to modify hardware and software. He contrasts this with the flexibility of computing, which allows for programming and customization, setting the stage for his later work in software-defined networking.
"a failed physicists well I heard that you dabbled in microbio physics astronomy I was thinking who dabbles in those things is that so funny yes actually I did um actually I started strongly I was at t..."
The Birth of Software-Defined Networking
In this segment, Casado discusses the inception of software-defined networking (SDN) as a solution to the rigidities of traditional networking. He explains the need for a programming model that allows for greater flexibility and security in network infrastructures.
"of undergraduate was at Lawrence Livermore we're toasting like massive physics simulations so at the time I was in Applied Computer Science in physics and not an infrastructure but I was there actuall..."
The Power of Computer Science
Casado reflects on the versatility of computer science as a discipline that can be applied across various fields. He emphasizes the importance of viewing computer science as a tool for solving real-world problems rather than just a theoretical subject.
"that's exactly right I mean like listen that's a very different type of threat and what was now perceived as the modern threat and so the whole posture of the nation moved away from this kind of anach..."
Understanding Network Security
Casado discusses the critical role of networking in national security and intelligence. He explains how understanding network infrastructures is essential for securing systems and preventing breaches, highlighting the interconnectedness of technology and security.
"love computer science and this is gonna sound like an aside but I'll bring it back to what you said so here's what it is let's say that I write a program and it solves grand unified field theory and I..."
The Evolution of Networking Technology
In this segment, Casado draws parallels between the evolution of networking technology and other fields, such as robotics. He discusses how advancements in hardware and software are leading to a renaissance in networking, making it more accessible and customizable.
"any particular way and I think that's interesting because that leads to people thinking about it more as a means to an end versus the end in and of itself it means like you can apply that mindset to a..."
The Democratization of Networking
Casado highlights the democratization of networking technology, where previously expensive and rigid systems are becoming more affordable and flexible. He emphasizes how this shift is enabling innovation and creativity in the field.
"break into something remotely you have to understand the network what was it and what made you realize that you you could head in a different direction yes so um I think the work in the last ten years..."
The Future of Networking Programming
Martin Casado discusses the need for a general-purpose programming model for networking hardware. He emphasizes the importance of creating a programming model that can manage networks of switches, drawing parallels to advancements in robotics. This segment highlights the shift towards more flexible and programmable networking solutions.
"doesn't exist and so there's kind of two things that you want to do to to get one one of them is you want to make the networking hardware sufficiently general purpose so that you have like an instruct..."
A Renaissance in Networking Hardware
Casado reflects on the evolution of networking hardware, comparing it to the past when routers were prohibitively expensive and inflexible. He illustrates how the cost of networking components has drastically decreased, enabling innovation and customization in networking solutions, akin to the changes seen in robotics.
"bunch of analogies that's a great one so so I think the classic analogy is back in the 70s you bought a mainframe the mainframe had everything in it you know and that's what you got and then the PC re..."
The Shift in Networking Architecture
In this segment, Casado explains the significance of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) as a high-level architecture that revolutionizes how networking is approached. He discusses the need to apply SDN to solve real-world problems and its impact on the technology landscape.
"don't know if it's thanks to you but because the the switch became generic and that whole layer of gear became generic well I think we're seeing this playing out in real time I mean you know there's b..."
Leveraging Mega Datacenters
Casado highlights how mega datacenters like Google and Amazon have transformed networking by simplifying physical networks and moving functionalities to software. This shift allows for greater efficiency and flexibility, setting a new standard for networking practices.
"and it was acquired by VMware which is where you just came from that's right what was the significance of this era so Sdn you can think of as a high-level architecture it's not a product it's not some..."
The Impact of Compute Virtualization
Discussing the rise of compute virtualization, Casado notes its implications for networking. He predicts that virtualization will lead to a significant increase in virtual ports, fundamentally changing how enterprises approach networking and enabling them to adopt simpler physical switches.
"different because of this specific thing that we did and so so there were two trends that we took advantage of and they kind of just helped describe what we did so the first one is if you looked at me..."
Empowering Enterprises with SDN
Casado explains how his company, Nicira, aimed to democratize the benefits of SDN for enterprises, allowing them to leverage the same architectural advantages as tech giants. This segment emphasizes the alignment of networking and application development in modern infrastructure.
"like their their secret like that's what differentiated them from everyone exactly yeah so I mean I considered Google and then and Amazon to be pretty much the leaders and you know this is ten years a..."
Acquisition by VMware: A Turning Point
Reflecting on the acquisition of Nicira by VMware, Casado shares insights into how quickly major companies recognized the potential of SDN. He highlights the visionary understanding of key individuals at VMware who embraced this transformative technology.
"software ports so what we thought to do at nasira's to take virtualization build out networking functionality in software so that any enterprise not just the googles and Amazons could take advantage o..."
The Evolution of Security in Networking
Casado discusses the changing landscape of security in networking, emphasizing the need for security measures to be integrated at all levels, not just at the perimeter. He shares personal anecdotes to illustrate the importance of robust security practices in modern data centers.
"your thesis true I mean did they get that immediately that hey the world's headed this way and we'll actually pay you to help us get there you know I I am still to this day so surprised by not only ho..."
Integrating Security and Networking
In this segment, Casado elaborates on the necessity of intertwining security with networking infrastructure. He argues that as networks evolve, security must also adapt to protect data effectively, advocating for a comprehensive approach to security within data centers.
"right yeah no right like the term Sdn like either hadn't been coined or like you know wasn't around very long and I mean these people really did see it understand that consume it and many of them I th..."
The Perils of Perimeter Security
Martin Casado discusses the limitations of traditional perimeter security in data centers, emphasizing that most attacks can occur once an intruder bypasses the perimeter. He shares a personal anecdote about a phishing email he received, illustrating the vulnerabilities that exist even within secure environments. Casado argues for a shift towards securing the data center itself, rather than relying solely on perimeter defenses.
"data center even though a minority the traffic actually ever leaves the data center which means if you get beyond that like when I worked you know in the intelligence agencies if you get beyond the pe..."
Rethinking Security Architecture
Casado elaborates on the need for a new security mindset that goes beyond just perimeter defenses. He introduces the principle of least privilege, advocating for infrastructure that limits access to only what is necessary for each server. This segment highlights the evolution of applications into networks and the corresponding need for infrastructure to adapt to these changes, ensuring comprehensive security across all components.
"say this is at the time that that email came in and I was reading it I was actually logged in behind the firewall in the data center I was like at work and so if I would have been infected that would ..."
Infrastructure as a Service Revolution
In this segment, Casado discusses the transformation of applications and infrastructure, likening modern applications to networks rather than isolated instances. He emphasizes the importance of evolving infrastructure to match the distributed nature of applications, which is crucial for maintaining security and flexibility. This shift is part of a broader renaissance in infrastructure, driven by the need to keep pace with application development.
"being adopted kind of kind of broadly right now and you see many many companies going down this approach but we do have to change security and to me the best way to articulate the objective is the fol..."
The Shift to Developer-Centric Infrastructure
Casado highlights a significant trend where app developers are increasingly consuming infrastructure as software components. This shift changes the dynamics of how technology is sold, moving from IT-centric sales to a focus on developers. He discusses the implications of this change, including the importance of open-source solutions and the need for vendors to adapt their marketing strategies to engage with this new class of buyers.
"map to that and though that is why you're seeing this massive renaissance I believe in infrastructures because we're where we add a dead run to keep pace with the application guys the whole I mean I t..."
Open Source as a Marketing Strategy
In this final segment, Casado explains how open-source software has become a vital part of the marketing strategy for tech companies. He contrasts traditional IT sales approaches with the developer-centric model, emphasizing the need for developers to understand the technology they are integrating. This segment underscores the role of open-source in building credibility and creating a customer base before formal sales processes begin.
"think actually I'm really glad you pointed that out because we have a tendency to get so caught up in the technological aspects of things that we forget the business model and organizational structura..."
Navigating the Insertion Problem
In this segment, Casado addresses the challenges of market insertion for new tech companies. He explains how open source can alleviate these challenges by allowing developers to use products in their own environments, thus facilitating easier adoption and integration into existing systems.
"just such a difference and what's interesting about this is there's implications as to what type of company you build as a result I still believe the entire industry is trying to understand what it me..."
Business Models in the Open Source Era
Casado reflects on the implications of open source on business models, noting that while it can solve sourcing problems, it also raises questions about profitability and scalability. He discusses the shift towards 'as-a-service' models as a potential solution for companies navigating these challenges.
"there it's a massive marketing thing but there's implications on the back end which is a how do you build a viable business around that Silicon Valley loves software companies because you get a reputa..."
From PhD to Business Leader
Casado shares his personal journey from being a PhD student to becoming a CTO and business leader. He contrasts the abstract nature of academic research with the practical demands of running a startup, emphasizing the need for immediate, concrete actions in a business environment.
"maybe the answer is that most things will become as a service over time tell us a little bit about your transformation from PhD to CTO a lot of our founders go through that very process where they've ..."
Lessons from Startup Challenges
In this candid reflection, Casado recounts the difficulties he faced while leading a startup during the 2008 financial crisis. He discusses the pressure of responsibility for his team and the shift in mindset required to navigate the harsh realities of business survival.
"this is the heady days of 2007 raising money was so easy we didn't really know like we had this idea but we didn't really know exactly what that looks like and then I just got you know hit in the face..."
The Investment Journey
Casado describes the early days of his company and the pivotal moment when Andreessen Horowitz invested in them during a challenging economic climate. He shares insights into the conversations that led to this investment and the vision he presented for the future of networking.
"shift between let's do something just so abstract that you know finding people that care is hard to here's how we're gonna stay stay viable and so we spent two years at about 12 people if we didn't gr..."
Embracing Transformation in Venture Capital
In the closing segment, Casado expresses his excitement about transitioning into venture capital. He discusses his desire to participate in the next wave of technological transformation and his belief in the Andreessen Horowitz model as a framework for supporting innovative companies.
"notepad that he still carries around like a new PhD kinda naive guy and I sat down and I basically said listen like um networking is gonna change I think I can show you all of these things if you if y..."