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  • How Network APIs Will Finally Realize the Potential of 5G Slicing

    How Network APIs Will Finally Realize the Potential of 5G Slicing

    The applications used by people and businesses today run over the top of the network. That is, they use the network to transmit data from one point to another but don’t interact with the network in any way.

    As those applications get more advanced, that comes with a risk. If the network isn’t provisioned adequately, a self-driving car, for instance, might suddenly lose connectivity and freeze in the middle of an intersection.

    That’s why developers are progressively realizing they’re going to require more from the network if they are to create revolutionary new applications. But the catch is they’re also not network specialists.

    Instead, they yearn for quick and simple ways to tap into and onboard 5G network capabilities within their applications — to dynamically adjust connectivity speeds based on real-time conditions, for example. That’s where network application programming interfaces (APIs) enter the picture.

    In 2023, the telecoms industry committed to unprecedented levels of openness with the announcement of the GSMA Open Gateway initiative and the growing popularity of the CAMARA project.

    In 2024, there is an expectation that there could be even more momentum around and demand for open network APIs as developers start to get real access to them — and begin to explore the potential of leveraging specialized network capabilities, delivered through techniques such as network slicing for their enterprise and consumer applications.

    What are Network APIs and How Will They Be Used?

    A network API is like any other API that allows for two or more applications to communicate with each other. It’s just that, in this case, one of those applications is the network itself.

    This is possible because today’s cloud-native 5G networks are fundamentally software-based, meaning they are also programmable through APIs and other software development tools. So unlike the networks of years ago, which were more hardware-dependent and closed in nature, developers can now get easy access to deep functionality and data within the network.

    Through a network API, applications and networks can share information about their status and needs, allowing for optimizations to be made on either side. The network could signal to a drone or autonomous vehicle where other related devices are operating or whether congestion is likely to occur in a given area, enabling on-the-fly route changes to maintain optimal performance. Or the application could use that information to request specialized capabilities from the network in certain situations, such as low-latency connectivity or more uplink capacity.

    The ability to deploy specialized network capabilities for specific applications in specific locations may sound familiar. It’s essentially the promise of network slicing, which was promoted heavily in the early days of 5G rollouts but never really caught on as expected.

    This is largely because network slices have to be planned for and provisioned well in advance — a dealbreaker for applications that need to manipulate parameters such as quality of service based on real-time conditions.

    Network APIs change that, providing access to specialized network capabilities in a dynamic, automated way — whether by spinning up a network slice or through the use of other telecommunications tools. The emerging applications of tomorrow will increasingly require such specialized network capabilities.

    Consider beyond visual line of sight (BVLS) drones that are operated remotely by a person hundreds of kilometers away. As the drone travels, it will need different network capabilities at different parts of the journey based on the unique conditions it encounters along the way.

    Deutsche Telekom has been working to deploy network APIs for this very scenario, which includes APIs for location verification (for more precise tracking of the drone’s position) as well as “quality on demand,” so that as it passes over highly congested areas where thousands of people are also using up network capacity, the drone can get greater prioritization to ensure it doesn’t fall out of the sky.

    That’s just one potential use case. Network APIs can open up innovations for industrial robots, real-time streaming of immersive video using multiple cameras, latency-sensitive applications like VR and cloud gaming, and much more.

    Creating a Network-Powered System Ecosystem

    APIs can help foster a network-powered ecosystem of digital innovation that brings benefits to everybody involved. By being able to leverage specialized network capabilities on demand, developers can create innovative applications and experiences for their customers — transforming their ideas into real solutions.

    Existing applications can also be enhanced for better performance, such as drones that can reliably transmit high-definition video from any location and under any circumstances to improve the situational awareness of first responders and public safety agencies.

    For the communication service providers (CSPs) who operate the networks, these APIs will help deliver a better return on investment for their 5G infrastructure. Revenue growth for traditional communications services in both the consumer and enterprise markets is limited by an unwillingness to pay more for those services and the perception that value lies in the applications rather than the network.

    Thus, the need for CSPs to develop new revenue streams has never been greater. By charging developers for access to the network APIs — and by forging closer connections to the applications that will use the capabilities within the network — CSPs will be better able to generate monetizable value from their networks.

    What’s Ahead for Network APIs

    APIs have been around for more than two decades. The fundamental principles of network slicing have been talked about since the introduction of 4G. While these technologies have been around for years, they will come together in exciting new ways in 2024, enabling entirely new possibilities.

    In the year ahead, there will likely be a greater demand for specialized network capabilities among application developers. That demand will be driven by early digital adopters in industries such as oil and gas, automotive, industrial and high-tech manufacturing, public safety, security, gaming and entertainment, and others.

    But it’s important to note that no one company can make all this work. There needs an ecosystem of companies coming together. Developers need to demand it, and CSPs need to build systems and platforms to support it.

    Infrastructure vendors will play a role as well, with network as code platforms to provide easy access to network APIs — serving as the bridge that enables greater levels of collaboration, innovation and mutual growth so everybody can harness the full potential of 5G networks.

  • How To Get Cash

    How To Get Cash

    how-to-get-cash
  • Navigating the Multi-Cloud Ecosystem

    Navigating the Multi-Cloud Ecosystem

    Multi-cloud infrastructure, an approach where organizations utilize services from multiple cloud providers, is rapidly gaining traction in the tech world.

    In this article, we will unpack the concept of multi-cloud infrastructure, examining how it enables businesses to diversify their cloud ecosystems for enhanced performance, greater flexibility and improved risk management.

    Understanding the Multi-Cloud Ecosystem

    Multi-cloud environments represent a strategic approach in cloud computing where businesses utilize services from multiple cloud providers to meet diverse operational needs.

    This concept differs from hybrid cloud, which typically blends both private and public cloud infrastructures, aiming to offer a balance between the two under a single unified environment.

    In contrast, a multi-cloud strategy involves using distinct cloud services – for instance, one provider for storage, another for computing power and another for analytics – without necessarily integrating them into one cohesive system. This approach allows organizations to leverage the unique strengths and offerings of various cloud providers, thereby optimizing their IT infrastructure for efficiency, cost-effectiveness and enhanced performance.

    The Advantages of a Multi-Cloud Approach

    Adopting a multi-cloud approach brings several key benefits, the biggest among them being enhanced resilience, flexibility and the avoidance of vendor lock-in.

    By distributing resources and workloads across multiple cloud environments, businesses can mitigate risks associated with relying on a single cloud provider, such as service outages or data loss. This diversity ensures continuous operation and robust disaster recovery capabilities.

    Additionally, a multi-cloud strategy empowers organizations with the flexibility to select the best services that each cloud provider offers, tailoring their IT infrastructure to specific needs and operational demands. This tailored approach enables businesses to optimize both performance and cost. Different providers may offer competitive pricing for specific services, allowing companies to choose the most cost-effective solutions for their requirements.

    Moreover, by avoiding vendor lock-in, organizations retain the freedom to switch providers as needs evolve or as newer, more advantageous services become available. This strategic utilization of multiple clouds ultimately leads to a more efficient, agile and economically sound IT infrastructure.

    Key Challenges in Multi-Cloud

    Multi-cloud management comes with its own set of challenges, particularly in terms of complexity, data security and compliance. DevOps teams often grapple with the complexity of managing disparate cloud services, each with unique features and interfaces, making seamless integration and consistent operation a demanding task.

    Data security is another critical concern, as safeguarding sensitive information across multiple platforms requires robust and adaptable security measures. Additionally, ensuring compliance with varying regulations across different cloud environments adds another layer of complexity.

    These challenges necessitate that DevOps teams are technically proficient and adept at strategic planning and coordination to manage a multi-cloud ecosystem effectively.

    Best Practices in Multi-Cloud Deployment and Management

    When managing and deploying within a multi-cloud ecosystem, DevOps teams can greatly benefit from the following five best practices:

    1. Strategic Cloud Service Selection: Carefully assess and choose cloud services based on specific workload requirements, performance metrics and cost-effectiveness to ensure optimal deployment.
    2. Centralized Monitoring and Management: Utilize centralized tools for monitoring and managing different cloud environments to maintain consistency and control and to streamline operations.
    3. Consistent Security Posture: Apply uniform security policies and practices across all cloud platforms to protect data integrity and comply with regulatory standards.
    4. Automation: Automate repetitive and routine tasks across different clouds for efficient resource utilization, reduced errors, and faster deployment cycles.
    5. Cost Management and Optimization: Continuously monitor and manage cloud spending across platforms to avoid cost overruns, ensure efficient use of resources and follow cloud cost optimization best practices.

    Building a Multi-Cloud Strategy: A DevOps Perspective

    From a DevOps perspective, building a comprehensive multi-cloud strategy involves aligning cloud infrastructure with business objectives and core DevOps principles.

    The first step is clearly defining business goals and identifying how different cloud environments can support these objectives. This should be followed by selecting cloud services that best match the specific needs of each workload, considering factors like performance, cost and compliance requirements. Integrating continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) processes is crucial in a multi-cloud setup.

    This integration ensures software can be developed, tested and deployed rapidly and reliably across different cloud platforms. The strategy should also include implementing robust automation and monitoring tools to maintain consistency and efficiency across the cloud.

    By focusing on these elements, a DevOps team can develop a multi-cloud strategy that not only aligns with the organization’s goals but also adheres to the agile and efficient ethos of DevOps methodologies, ensuring seamless operation and scalability in the multi-cloud environment.

    Wrapping Up

    In conclusion, effectively navigating the multi-cloud ecosystem is crucial for DevOps success, as it offers unparalleled flexibility, scalability and resilience in managing diverse cloud resources. DevOps professionals are encouraged to embrace multi-cloud strategies as they enhance operational agility and open avenues for innovation and improved service delivery.

  • New Year, New ‘Tude

    New Year, New ‘Tude

    There are multiple types of debt in an organization. In IT alone, you can have technical, ops and (my favorite) attitude.

    We work in a high-stress field with a lot of moving parts and an enterprise depending upon us to keep things running. Even if you are in the product development org at a software company, you literally make the product; people are more dependent on you doing it right most of the time and being super proactive when things go wrong.

    All of this creates stress that we tend to either internalize or leave to find a new place to get our stress.

    Internalizing makes for jaded IT folks. Or worse, cynical ones. Vacations are part of the salve to relieve that stress, and we just got a couple of weeks off. Or at least most of us did, some of you all are about to, and others will in February. But it is all the same.

    To continue improving, we need to leave the baggage behind. “Blameless IT” improved how others judge devs and operators that make mistakes, but we’ve done little to improve when devs and operators see problems that they cannot fix and it festers.

    When you return to work, take a deep breath, consider what you can do something about versus what you cannot. Then, take action on the things you can and ignore the things you cannot. Improvement is what matters; improving a specific broken process isn’t. Of course, it will eat at you if you pay a ton of attention to something you cannot change. I have always taught those working for me (and my kids, for that matter) to change what you can and not dwell on what you can’t—precisely because you can’t.

    If the thing you can’t change is a show-stopper and makes your life miserable, then the thing you can change is your job. Start looking.

    Between Agile, DevOps and new deployment methods, we have come a long way in technology, but we also have created a ton of work for ourselves. This stuff doesn’t implement itself. Focus on that work and on how you can make things better – for the org, for IT, for fellow developers or operators. And do that. Always improving and not dwelling will make life happier for you and generally more productive for your team.

    I’m excited for a ton of things that 2024 is bringing, and a couple of things that aren’t necessarily ‘2024 new,’ but that I’m still figuring out. Let’s do new stuff with a smile, because we know we’re making things better/faster/more reliable. And implement that feature your users all want and your team hasn’t done yet, while you’re at it. Users are the reason we do this, in the end, be they internal or external.

    We made it through 2023 with some great improvements—no doubt you did, too. Now, it’s off to 2024 to do more. Keep rolling out features, protecting the systems, deploying to new targets, etc. And forget about that stupid annoyance. (Until you can change it—then crush it like a bug). Meanwhile, thank you from all those that don’t realize they add to your stress every day.

  • The Age of Platform Engineering: What to Expect in 2024

    The Age of Platform Engineering: What to Expect in 2024

    Platform engineering has been gaining traction over the last few years, with some likening it to the next iteration of DevOps. Gartner has called it one of the top strategic trends of 2024 – and has predicted that 80% of large software engineering organizations will establish platform engineering teams by 2026. But what’s driving the momentum?

    I believe it’s a result of maturity in the adoption of the cloud by enterprises of all sizes and shapes. As more and more enterprises started using the cloud and embraced DevOps as a path towards quickly taking features to the market, there was a clear need to rethink how the underlying infrastructure and platforms were used for enterprise applications. Platform engineering emerged as the new path to building and managing the underlying application infrastructure.

    It’s been a growth year for platform engineering, but in today’s era of hybrid-cloud-meets-generative-AI, we see new trends emerging in this space. So, what’s next? Here is what we expect to see as we head into 2024.

    Product-Centric Funding Model

    Traditionally, IT was seen as a gatekeeper and cost center. With the cloud, developers gained more leverage in procuring the infrastructure they wanted for their applications. Enterprises realized the value of modernizing their IT operations to meet this modern need and wanted to transform their cloud operations to be part of the innovation team. They see platform engineering as the transformational approach that aligns cloud operations with developers and business users. However, platform engineering requires a product-centric funding model instead of project-centric models in the past, as a product-centric model doesn’t have a start and end date like projects and aligns closely with the product lifecycle with ongoing funding. Enterprises need to recognize this shift from the status quo widely, and we expect this realization to come for businesses in 2024.

    Platform Engineering as an Extension to DevOps

    As enterprises embraced DevOps to accelerate their application development, they still used the traditional gatekeeping models with cloud operations. The embrace of traditional guardrails in the cloud created friction and slowed innovation. With its “as code” model, platform engineering is well suited for reducing friction and accelerating innovation. We expect organizations to embrace platform engineering as the natural extension of DevOps to operate at the speed of business.

    Generative AI Capabilities

    Generative AI is at the peak of the hype cycle as we close out 2023, and in 2024, we will see some enterprise-ready use cases come to life. Generative AI will augment platform engineering with code assistants to create infrastructure-as-code, governance-as-code and security-as-code to ensure smooth Day 2 operations. We will also see chatbots leveraging generative AI to help SREs and other platform engineering pros with documentation, infrastructure playbooks and other relevant use cases.

    2024 is a critical year for organizations as they fend off the economic forces and embrace technological advancements to compete in the global market. Most CXOs will see platform engineering as the top strategic trend to focus on because it brings productivity and cost efficiencies to their organization. This is only the beginning, and the coming decade will be defined by platform engineering, laying a firm foundation for AI-driven innovation in enterprises.