Writing

A deep dive into the July 2025 security breach that exposed critical vulnerabilities in AI development tools and supply chain security

How FedRAMP 20x's 80% automation mandate creates unprecedented opportunities for AI observability platforms using OpenTelemetry

From FDA food safety compliance to agent swarm visibility—how Always Cool Brands taught us that ethical AI means doing what we intended

Nuclear Power, AI

Agents Talk to Agents

Technology professional analyzing AI security threats on multiple displays, showing advanced visualization of neural network attack patterns

Technology consultant analyzing AI workplace usage data and software development patterns

Professional photo showing urban planning and community development in Austin, focusing on short-term rental policy

Modern development environment showing VSCode with AI tools and RSS feed configuration

Digital workspace showing organized note templates and automation workflows

Engaging discussion at Austin AIMUG Office Hours about DeepSeek's groundbreaking 1.5B model

Visualization of DeepSeek's Janus-Pro multimodal AI capabilities in action

Developer working with AI tools showcasing the evolution of development workflows

Learn how to extend Claude's capabilities with Model Context Protocol servers for file access, git operations, web browsing, and more

Modern workspace showcasing real-time enterprise search and API integration interfaces

Experiencing the January 2025 winter storm in Austin firsthand, braving the freezing temperatures and snow while documenting the city's emergency response and preparations.

Explore how Model Context Protocol (MCP) is revolutionizing AI system integration by providing a standardized way to connect AI models with various data sources and tools.

Professional scene showing interconnected communication networks with AI automation elements

Exploring how LangChain's ambient agents are revolutionizing AI assistance by proactively responding to our needs without explicit commands

Amplify Your Voice: From a Small Group Conversation to Reaching Thousands. Discover how AI can transform meeting notes into engaging podcasts, connecting communities and expanding your message.

inbox zero in action

As AI data centers face projected power constraints by 2027, this extensive analysis explores the intersection of technology evolution, energy consumption, and sustainable practices within the tech industry.

LangChain 2nd birthday

Experiencing the magic of Austin City Limits Festival's second weekend, from biking down to Zilker Park to catching an incredible Sturgill Simpson performance, highlighting the unique privileges of calling Austin home.

As COP29 approaches, we examine the key issues at stake and explore how grassroots movements can influence global climate policy decisions.

An exploration of the potential health risks associated with artificial food dyes, examining EU regulations and what we can learn from their stricter approach to food safety.

As we reach 2024's midpoint, we examine global progress on emission reduction targets and explore ways to accelerate positive change in the lead-up to COP29.

This Earth Day, we explore how communities worldwide are fostering hope and resilience through practical environmental actions, celebrating successes while acknowledging the work ahead.

A vibrant and lively scene at a tech-themed gathering in a spacious, industrial-style bar. The foreground features a diverse group of enthusiastic attendees, each with a laptop open, actively engaged in coding and discussions. In the center, a large, detailed mural depicts a chain made of digital code, symbolizing connectivity and data privacy, with subtle motifs of locks and keys. Around the room, banners of LangChain and AI technology logos add a colorful backdrop. Some attendees hold glasses of beer, celebrating their progress and collaborations, while others are deep in thought, plotting their next moves in notebook coding sessions. The atmosphere is electric, filled with the buzz of conversation and the clinking of glasses, perfectly capturing the essence of innovation and community interaction.

The transition from the Marine Corps to the tech industry, depicting the journey from a structured military environment to a dynamic, innovative tech landscape, connected by a symbolic bridge.

A vivid, futuristic digital workspace, where symbols of Pydantic and runnables coalesce to form a seamless, interconnected network. At the heart of this network, a sleek, digital chain stretches across the frame, each link representing a modular unit of execution—runnables—that are essential for processing and managing data in complex applications. Perched atop one of these symbolic links, a green parrot dons a developer's headset, embodying the user-friendly and communicative nature of LangChain's design. Nearby, a Python symbol winds its way around another link, highlighting Pydantic's role in validating and ensuring the integrity of data within the system. This harmonious scene unfolds under a clear, expansive sky, signifying the boundless possibilities unlocked by this innovative approach to developing applications with large language models.

a digital landscape with modular chains and a friendly green parrot, embodying the concepts of runnables and modular architecture in software development from the LangChain

The essence of embarking on a transformative journey for the series introduction, has been created. It symbolizes stepping into the unknown with a promise of growth and enlightenment, featuring a pathway leading from darkness into a brightly lit horizon adorned with symbols of technology, learning, and growth

You'll find these directories and files in the project. What do they do?

You've downloaded and installed the project. Let's hit the ground running.

Adding a new article (blog post or project) is pretty easy.

Basic Markdown syntax that can be used when writing Markdown content in Astro Sphere.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet

A quick tutorial on how to change, add or remove social media links

LangChain - Sustainability

Austin LangChain AI Hacky Hour at Central Machine Works

As we enter 2024, the global community sets its sights on COP29 and the critical steps needed to accelerate climate action. This post explores how we can build on previous progress and make meaningful strides toward our environmental goals.

Colin McNamara presenting Always Cool Brands Due Diligence LangChain Use Case

The transformative leadership and strategic achievements within the complex, high-stakes world of cloud infrastructure management, has been created. It depicts a figure standing confidently amidst a network of glowing, interconnected cloud nodes, highlighting a significant achievement in operational efficiency against a backdrop that evokes global scale and technological interconnectedness.

Celebrate the environmental achievements of 2023 and explore emerging opportunities for creating positive change in our communities and beyond.

greenwashing in manufacturing

Discover how communities are working together to create sustainable solutions and build resilience during the summer months.

This Earth Day, discover how communities worldwide are working to restore and protect natural ecosystems through innovative projects and local initiatives.

Explore the emerging environmental trends and innovations shaping 2023, from breakthrough technologies to community initiatives making a real difference.

Celebrate the environmental victories and community achievements that made 2022 a year of positive change for our planet.

The days are getting shorter, and the weather is cooling down, which can only mean one thing: fall is here! I really appreciate hanging around the bonfire as we celebrate the season with some of our favorite fall activities here in #atx

Explore the latest environmental technologies making waves in summer 2022, from innovative renewable energy solutions to sustainable materials.

This Earth Day, discover how communities are coming together to create positive environmental change through local initiatives and collaborative projects.

Discover the groundbreaking environmental solutions and community initiatives that are setting the tone for sustainability in 2022.

As 2021 draws to a close, we celebrate environmental victories and innovative solutions from communities worldwide that are making a real difference in fighting climate change.

Discover how businesses are adopting sustainable practices and how consumers can support environmentally responsible companies in their communities.

On Earth Day 2021, we reflect on the environmental insights gained during a year of global change, and how these lessons can guide us toward a more sustainable future.

Start the new year with practical, achievable steps toward a more sustainable lifestyle. Discover how small changes in daily habits can create lasting environmental impact.

As extreme weather events become more frequent, discover how communities worldwide are adapting and building resilience through local action and sustainable practices.

The COVID-19 pandemic has offered unprecedented insights into global environmental impact. Discover how this forced pause is reshaping our understanding of sustainability and community resilience.

On Earth Day's 50th anniversary, we reflect on five decades of environmental progress, current challenges including COVID-19, and the path forward for global sustainability.

As Australia faces devastating bushfires, we examine the harsh realities of climate change and explore how we can transform this crisis into meaningful environmental action.

A personal reflection on disconnecting from technology and rediscovering the joy of living in the present moment. From learning to dance and hula hoop to engaging in meaningful conversations, this experience highlights the importance of looking up from our phones and truly connecting with life.

A reflection on how the CCIE certification's value is evolving with the shift towards software development and automation in networking

Reflections on OpenStack's evolution from a grassroots technical community to a corporate-influenced open source project

A guide to critical presentations and community talks proposed for the OpenStack Summit in Atlanta

A constructive critique of Cisco's DevNet platform with recommendations for better developer collaboration and resource accessibility

A quick guide for OpenStack technical contributors on how to register for the Atlanta Design Summit using promotional codes

A video discussion about OpenStack's challenges, opportunities, and future direction

A call for balanced representation between vendor and user interests in OpenStack Foundation leadership

A guide to enabling Puppet syntax highlighting in TextMate2 using Matthew Barr's bundle for better infrastructure code management

Presenting on cloud computing, OpenStack, and modern software development methodologies at the 2013 IPMA Forum

Supporting childhood cancer research through St. Baldrick's Foundation's head-shaving event for the third consecutive year

A comprehensive guide to Network Field Day 5, featuring presentations from leading networking companies and industry experts

A curated list of must-see presentations for the OpenStack Portland Summit 2013, including technical deep dives and community sessions

A personal perspective on contributing to OpenStack and vision for serving on the OpenStack Foundation Board

Analysis of Cisco's groundbreaking Nexus 3548 switch with Algo Boost technology, achieving industry-leading 190 nanosecond latency through custom ASIC development.

VMware's acceptance as a Gold member of the OpenStack Foundation marks a significant shift in the virtualization landscape, following their Nicira acquisition and growing embrace of open source technologies.

Analysis of Scale Computing's HC3 platform and its approach to making open source virtualization and storage technologies accessible to small and medium businesses through hyper-convergence.

A personal declaration of support for OpenStack and its mission to democratize cloud computing through open source technology, drawing parallels with Southwest Airlines' democratization of air travel.

Analysis of VMware's $1.2B Nicira acquisition, signaling a strategic shift beyond hypervisors and towards network virtualization and multi-platform cloud services.

An analysis of the Amazon EC2 outage affecting major services, explaining why the root cause lies in application architecture rather than cloud infrastructure.

A lighthearted discussion between industry experts about Cisco and EMC's VSPEX reference architecture, highlighting the value of partnership in delivering flexible solutions.

An analysis of Cisco's entry into Software Defined Networking with their Open Networking Environment, featuring onePK, OpenFlow integration, and expanded virtual overlay solutions.

Join the Cisco Live 5k charity run in San Diego to support the Wounded Warriors Project, featuring community participation, fundraising opportunities, and prize giveaways.

A comprehensive analysis of EMC's VSPEX reference architecture, explaining its positioning between custom solutions and VCE Vblock, and its flexible approach to virtualization infrastructure.

A personal account of participating in St. Baldrick's Foundation charity event, shaving my head to support childhood cancer research and bringing together community support for a great cause.

A comprehensive guide to optimizing Hadoop clusters, covering infrastructure tuning, network optimization, and storage performance considerations for enterprise-scale deployments.

Following my journey in the historic Paris-Brest-Paris cycling event, a 1200km ultra-endurance challenge that I completed in under 77 hours.

A farewell message reflecting on four and a half years at ePlus Technology, highlighting key achievements in data center transformation and expressing gratitude for the opportunities provided.

A thank you message to the community for their support in voting for the VMworld 2011 'Built to Fail' presentation proposal, with results expected on June 1st.

A detailed overview of a VMworld 2011 presentation proposal on testing and acceptance methodologies for Tier 1 virtualized environments, focusing on infrastructure validation and performance testing.

A senior engineering position opportunity at ePlus in Silicon Valley, seeking highly skilled CCIE-certified engineers to work with enterprise customers on cutting-edge technologies.

A comprehensive guide to understanding and leveraging non-verbal communication cues in sales engineering, including body language interpretation and practical tips for better customer engagement.

An analysis of the key differentiators that transform good sales engineers into great ones, focusing on the critical importance of soft skills in the systems integration industry.

A personal reflection on 2010, covering work on secret data center projects, business growth during recession, professional certifications, and a transformative health journey.

A technical guide to resolving UCS configuration failures related to local disk configuration requirements, including a workaround for a firmware 1.3(1c) bug affecting service profile associations.

A comprehensive schedule of technical sessions at Cisco Live 2010, featuring advanced networking, cloud computing, and service provider technologies with detailed session information and room locations.

An analysis of the Virtual Computing Environment (VCE) coalition between Cisco, EMC, and VMware, examining their VBlock infrastructure packages, integrated support model, and implications for the partner ecosystem.

An analysis of Cisco's Nexus 4000 blade switch, examining its role in unified data center architecture, protocol support, and integration with major blade server platforms.

An in-depth analysis of Arista Networks' cloud networking strategy, examining their Extensible Operating System (EOS), market silicon approach, and integration with VMware's virtual networking.

A comprehensive schedule of technical sessions at VMworld 2009, covering virtualization, cloud computing, and enterprise applications, with detailed session information and room locations.

A guide to creating Unified Computing System (UCS) Bill of Materials using Netformx, explaining why it's currently the preferred tool over Cisco's Dynamic Configuration Tool for UCS configurations.

An analysis of Cisco's new top-tier certification, the Cisco Certified Architect (CCA), examining its requirements, board examination process, and positioning above CCIE and CCDE certifications.

A comprehensive schedule of technical sessions at Cisco Live 2009, featuring advanced networking, data center, and cloud computing topics with industry experts and thought leaders.

A detailed analysis of Cisco UCS pricing, explaining the differences between list price, MSRP, and actual purchase price, while demonstrating how UCS can provide cost savings compared to traditional blade systems.

A comprehensive look at Cisco's new C-Series rack mount servers, examining how they complement the UCS B-Series and provide flexible options for various deployment scenarios.

An analysis of how Cisco is positioning itself in the cloud computing market, examining their strategic approach through UCS, network integration, and leveraging their existing infrastructure advantages.

A discussion of Cisco's Unified Computing System on the Cisco Interactive Network podcast, featuring insights from SAVBU's Brian Schwarz and industry experts.

An in-depth analysis of Cisco's groundbreaking Unified Computing System (UCS), exploring how it revolutionizes data center architecture by unifying computing, networking, and storage into a single cohesive system.

An in-depth look at Cisco's Nexus 2000 Fabric Extender and how it revolutionizes data center architecture by simplifying management, topology, and cost while enabling seamless 10GbE integration.

A practical guide for Cisco partners on navigating the ordering process for Nexus 5000 series switches, including FCoE configurations and licensing requirements.

Cisco expands its Nexus line with the compact 5010 switch, offering 20 ports of line-rate lossless fabric 10 Gigabit Ethernet in a cost-effective 1RU form factor.

Former Cisco Systems SVP Jayshree Ullal joins Arista Networks as CEO, bringing her expertise in data center and switching technology to pioneer new models for cloud networking.

A week's worth of personal updates and activities, from business travel to family time and local events, shared through Twitter.

A comprehensive analysis of network architecture requirements for VMware's Virtual Infrastructure 4 and cloud computing, examining the evolution from current infrastructures to future-ready designs.

A lighthearted look at Cisco's clever naming scheme in the Nexus 5000 switch fabric architecture, featuring a Bay Area-inspired play on words.

A review of TechWise TV's comprehensive coverage of virtualization's impact on data centers, featuring discussions on policy enforcement, security, and Cisco's Nexus 1000V.

A journey through VMware certification and deep-dive into virtualization technologies, reflecting on the evolution from ESX to Vi3 and looking ahead to Vi4 and VDC-OS.

A detailed account of taking the CCDE Practical Beta exam in Chicago, covering preparation strategies, exam experience, and reflections on the certification process.

A thank you note to fellow bloggers who referenced and discussed my content, highlighting the collaborative nature of the technical blogging community.

A moment of recognition as ZDNet quotes my analysis of Cisco's virtual networking initiatives in their coverage of the Cisco-VMware collaboration.

Altor Networks becomes the first vendor to leverage Cisco's Nexus 1000v virtual switch capabilities, marking an important development in virtual machine security and management solutions.

An in-depth analysis of Cisco's Nexus 1000V virtual switch for VMware, examining how it addresses key challenges in virtualized environments and advances the Data Center 3.0 vision.

A teaser for a major announcement in the cloud computing and Data Center 3.0 space from Cisco and VMware, hinting at the realization of previously outlined datacenter visions.

A comprehensive analysis of security considerations in virtualized environments, examining the balance between infrastructure consolidation and security zones, with practical insights into risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

An analysis of Cisco's pilot program introducing verbal interviews to the CCIE lab exam in Beijing, discussing its importance in maintaining certification integrity and addressing modern challenges.

A compelling presentation by Merlin Mann about revaluing time and attention in our increasingly connected world, offering insights into personal productivity and focus.

Important announcement for CCDE beta program participants regarding the practical exam registration deadline and special pricing, with a tight window for securing priority seats.

Celebrating a remarkable achievement as Darrel Hinshaw becomes one of approximately 15 people worldwide to hold three CCIE certifications, adding Storage to his existing credentials.

The announcement of CCDE practical exam registration opening, along with personal reflections on the commitment and preparation required for Cisco's highest-level design certification.

A reflective look back at Cisco Live 2008, highlighting the diverse experiences from technical learning to late-night networking, and the true value of connecting with peers in the industry.

A lighthearted recap of the CCIE appreciation party at NASCAR Bar and Grille during Cisco Live 2008, featuring observations about engineering talent density and the challenges of mixing nerds, video games, and beer.

A humorous moment from Cisco Live 2008 as attendees encounter unexpected heavy rain outside the convention hall, captured on Flip Video.

An overview of Cisco's Application Extension Platform (AXP) for ISR routers, exploring its open platform capabilities, architecture, and API functionality for custom network applications.

Technical insights into Cisco's NX-OS and DCNM XML APIs, exploring their implementation of Netconf, XML-based communication, and integration capabilities with enterprise messaging systems.

A comprehensive schedule of technical sessions, keynotes, and networking events at Cisco Live 2008, highlighting key topics in data center infrastructure, network architecture, and emerging technologies.

A lighthearted moment from Cisco Live 2008, balancing professional networking with social activities as the team heads from the World of Solutions to Margaritaville.

Network World magazine takes action by removing Robert Williams' controversial article attacking Ethan Banks, acknowledging the inappropriate nature of singling out individuals in discussions about certification integrity.

A milestone achievement in passing the CCDE written exam while simultaneously recertifying CCIE credentials, with insights into future certification plans including CCIE Service Provider.

A critical analysis of the Certguard controversy surrounding Ethan Banks' CCIE certification, examining the intersection of certification integrity, business ethics, and industry reputation.

An in-depth look at Cisco's integrated video surveillance solution for ISR routers, combining video management, storage, and encoding capabilities in network module form factors.

A brief update about experimenting with Twitter integration and WordPress, including an apology for unintended RSS feed updates during the testing process.

A curated collection of significant technical developments and resources covering L2TPv3, FCoE, TRILL architecture, IOS security, and Cisco's veterans program.

Announcement of John McCool's appointment to lead Cisco's Data Center Switching and Services Group, bringing his extensive development experience from the 4500 and 6500 platforms to this strategic role.

A tribute to Jayshree Ullal's impactful tenure at Cisco as she steps down from her role as Senior Vice President of Data Center, Switching, and Security groups, highlighting her journey from Crescendo acquisition to DC 3.0 vision.

A comprehensive look at Cisco's Storage Media Encryption solution for protecting backup data, addressing compliance requirements and preventing data breaches through enterprise-grade encryption technology.

An overview of Cisco's Nexus 5020 switch, featuring 1.04 terabit switching capacity and unified 10GbE/FC connectivity, addressing the growing demands of blade centers and VMware environments.

An analysis of the challenges and solutions in integrating VMware virtualization with Cisco networks, highlighting the importance of cross-team collaboration and proper design planning.

An in-depth analysis of Cisco's revolutionary ASR1000 router architecture, featuring Linux-based IOS-XE and the 40-core QuantumFlow processor, marking a significant shift in network device design.

A comprehensive explanation of why BGP knowledge is increasingly required in corporate IT roles, covering redundant internet edges, MPLS WANs, and datacenter network virtualization scenarios.

An in-depth look at Cisco TrustSec's revolutionary approach to network security, moving from traditional IP-based access control to role-based security with identity awareness and line-rate encryption capabilities.

A practical look at how green datacenter initiatives translate into real cost savings through power efficiency, virtualization, and utility company incentives, debunking the marketing hype around sustainability.

Recognition from Network World Magazine as one of the top 20 useful sites for Cisco networking professionals, featuring a curated collection of technical articles and resources.

Exploring diverse hobbies in the tech community, from photography to music, featuring a night photographing local San Diego rock band FM Revolver at the Brick by Brick venue.

A firsthand account of experiencing Cisco's revolutionary Nexus 7000 platform at their San Jose DNA lab, highlighting the attention to detail in both its technical capabilities and physical design.

A detailed analysis of the innovative usability features in Cisco's Nexus 7000 platform, from its advanced management interface to thoughtful physical design considerations that improve datacenter operations.

A comprehensive guide to diagnosing and fixing performance issues with GoDaddy's Linux Virtual Dedicated Servers, including memory management solutions and a detailed comparison with alternative hosting providers.

An in-depth analysis of Cisco's NX-OS 4.0, exploring how this next-generation network operating system brings storage-level reliability to datacenter networking with features like Virtual Device Contexts and zero-downtime upgrades.

Insights from Cisco's Senior Vice President of Data Center, Jayshree Ullal, on the revolutionary Nexus 7000 platform and its role in transforming datacenter networking.

A deep dive into Cisco's revolutionary Nexus 7000 Data Center switch, marking the arrival of Data Center 3.0 with groundbreaking features including a 15 Terabit backplane, unified fabric support, and advanced virtualization capabilities.

Second part of an in-depth interview with Russ White about the Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) certification

An analysis of Cisco's new CCDE certification, its significance for network architects and pre-sales engineers, and its potential impact on the channel partner ecosystem.

A fascinating collection of random trivia facts covering topics from animal behavior to historical figures, statistics, and interesting laws around the world.

First part of an in-depth interview with Russ White about the Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) certification

An analysis of Intel's release of open source FCoE drivers and the potential impact on storage networking, comparing it with iSCSI's adoption path and discussing technical advantages of the protocol.

A comprehensive breakdown of worldwide CCIE certification statistics, including total numbers across different tracks and insights into multiple certification holders.

A practical guide to configuring Cisco routers to send automated email notifications when interfaces go down using Event Manager applets, providing real-time network monitoring capabilities.

A visual analysis using Google Maps showing the Witch Fire's proximity to our neighborhood, revealing how the flames came within two thousand feet and surrounded the valley on three sides.

Good news as mandatory evacuations are lifted and residents return home to find their neighborhood largely spared, despite the fire burning on three sides of the community.

An in-depth look at Cisco's new zone-based firewall implementation in IOS, introducing improved security policies, VRF awareness, and content inspection capabilities that revolutionize network security configuration.

Overview of groundbreaking BGP enhancements and other key features in Cisco IOS 12.2(33)SXH

Comprehensive overview of new capabilities and enhancements in VMware ESX Server 3.1 and VirtualCenter 2.1

Resource highlight: Comprehensive presentation on TCL scripting and Embedded Event Manager (EEM) for Cisco IOS

Overview of key enhancements and capabilities in Cisco IOS 12.4(15)T release

Analysis of how Cisco MDS storage switch features are being integrated into core networking products

A detailed account of why I chose Storage Networking as my first CCIE certification, including comprehensive preparation strategies, lab experiences, and practical tips for success in the CCIE Storage exam.

A personal journey through the challenging path to achieving CCIE certification, including detailed insights into the time commitment, study strategies, and dedication required to succeed in one of IT's most prestigious certifications.

Three humorous parables that deliver sharp insights into management principles, office politics, and workplace wisdom through clever animal stories.

Lessons learned and new approach to pursuing CCIE Storage certification

Personal reflections and lessons learned as I embark on my journey towards the CCIE Storage certification, sharing insights from previous certification attempts and strategies for success.

A collection of fascinating Christmas facts and trivia, from the origin of the word 'Christmas' to surprising holiday traditions around the world, movie history, and interesting statistics about modern celebrations.

Tim O'Reilly, founder and CEO of O'Reilly Media, shares six key principles for success in business and marketing, from being first in your category to creating meaningful industry narratives.

Analysis of the limited Cisco storage partner ecosystem in California

Analysis of Cisco's nationwide storage partner ecosystem and its implications

A humorous story illustrating the key differences between consultants and true business partners through a clever shepherd's tale.

A detailed breakdown of the hardware requirements and costs for building a CCIE Storage certification lab, including creative solutions for sourcing expensive enterprise storage equipment on a budget.

Exploring integration challenges between Google Docs and Blogger Beta platforms

A list of potential development projects including system auditing, configuration generation, and monitoring tools

A detailed review of Cisco Press's guide to Security MARS, examining its strengths and weaknesses as both a technical manual and a practical guide for network security professionals.

A humorous take on Sun's datacenter-in-a-container project