Random Musings

Managing Traffic (for baggage claim)

Jeff Browning — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:54:14 GMT

Sometimes, you see things that you just need to capture on... err... SD memory. While waiting for my bag yesterday at the Las Vegas Airport, Joe Pruitt found himself a nice little Java console app that probably wasn't supposed to be visible. If you've been through the baggage claim here, you've no doubt seen the HUGE banners advertising every new show in town. It's complete sensory overload (hey - it's Vegas, right?) However, this caught Joe's attention. Honestly, I doubt many people even saw it but Joe spun on a dime and started dissecting the database calls and methods scrolling across the screen. Something about "switching to next to claim 6...stopping claim 5", etc.

In you're in Vegas attending the DevConnections event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, look for us at booth #625. I'll also be presenting at OpenForce08 this afternoon about the role network infrastructure plays in successfully delivering DNN-based applications.

Technorati Tags: f5, devcentral, devconnections, openforce2008, java, jeff browning

Support, Social Technology, and Trust

Jeff Browning — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:35:19 GMT

As Don mentioned earlier this week, we took the plunge and entered Forrester's Groundswell contest. To me, I believe this is the ultimate testament to what you, the community, are doing on DevCentral everyday (check out this page - it's pretty cool). Back when we started this thing, it was simply to help folks learn how to tap into F5's groundbreaking iControl API. After asking users, we learned that folks needed some assistance getting started. Surprise, surprise - understanding terms like WSDL, SOAP, and related things were a bit new to F5's traditional users! With backgrounds in software, where forums have been around a while, we thought this would be a good tool to enable us to assist and support users as they played with this cool technology.

Honestly? Selling management on un-moderated forums was not a slam-dunk. There were (reasonably) concerns that someone might say something nasty. That said, we made a philosophical choice... to trust our users. We wanted them be as involved and invested in this community as F5 is. So - trust matters. Along the way, something interesting happened: the community even started to protect it's own turf!

The same thing happened when we weighed the pros and cons of moving ALL of our technical documentation to a wiki. (what? let ANYONE edit it? seriously...?). Yes - like the forums, there was plenty of debate. Once again, the notions of trust and enablement - all with the desire of supporting users through more free-flowing, 24x7, worldwide contributions - won out. The result? Well - just one example is the over 100 iRule samples posted in the Codeshare today - the vast majority contributed by real users working on solving real challenges everyday.

When looking at this whole contest thing, I'm sure some of the other categories could have applied. But, the "supporting" category is the most obvious choice. However, it's not exactly why most might think... When I step back and look at what everyone is doing in the community, what strikes me most is how - in significant part because of the social media technologies we've embraced - users are supporting each other. Without a free-flowing community, ideas and solutions created in Auckland may have never been seen by users in Munich. Or, a cool iRule trick from someone in London may have never reached someone in Tokyo.

Further, I'll be the first to admit this: there are some protocols or technologies that we'll NEVER know as well as some of you. You're work, day in and day out, with a specific protocol or application server - and specifically it's subtle quirks that come from working with it daily - help you bring a completely different dimension to other users wrestling with a similar problem. Sure - we can research and understand something academically. However, members' tribal, hands-on knowledge makes all of the difference when providing real, useful solutions.

Candidly, there are times when I ask myself this: how do vendors that DON'T enable this free-flow of ideas survive? With the growth of cloud, SOA, virtualization, etc., the technology hairball and the knowledge required cannot be owned by one all-knowing company, right?

I go back to the beginning; it's this notion of trust, free-flowing ideas and dialog, that makes this community all about support. Not just F5 supporting our technology (as it should). But, helping end users help each other to just get more... value... ideas... inspiration... support. All from others working to solve similar problems.

BTW - some serious props go out to F5 leadership for trusting and embracing the community as partners and co-collaborators on this journey. If not for that trust, I don't think we would see the dynamic interaction that happens each day on DevCentral.

So, if you've read this far, thank you for your participation in and involvement with DevCentral. If you feel like it, maybe make a visit to our entry page and make a comment and vote for DevCentral. Also - we've set up a Forum here on DevCentral as well for you to post your comments, thoughts, likes, etc. about DevCentral.

Technorati Tags: forrester, groundswell, devcentral, f5, icontrol, wsdl, social technology, community, protocol, cloud computing, SOA, virtualization, Jeff Browning

"Whew. Social technology smoke. Don't breathe this."

Jeff Browning — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:58:38 GMT

Another great clip featuring the folks at BlendTec and Forrester's Josh Bernoff! Nothing like blending ALL of the social media technologies, huh?

Technorati Tags: social media, groundswell, will it blend?, blendtec, f5, jeff browning, devcentral

DevCentral Tweets

Jeff Browning — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:40:20 GMT

Filed under the "not necessarily new but cool" category for those that don't know it, you can keep tabs on DevCentral by following us on Twitter. If you're a Twitter fan, you know what to do. Follow us here.

Technorati Tags: twitter, devcentral, f5, jeff browning

IITD+SA

Jeff Browning — Thu, 29 May 2008 23:49:02 GMT

There was a nice little acronym we used around F5 a few years back (probably more than a few...). However, I was reminded of it today (thanks Annie and Joe!) while walking through the halls. It's simple. And, it's powerful. And, it deserves a "refresh" because there's no hiding from reality: there are more protocols, app flows, user distribution, and complexity challenging IT, not to mention shorter development cycles and performance demands challenging app teams.

The move to TMOS ushered in the opportunity to do this and well. Here's what it means (updated for 2008):

I = Intercept (as in intercept any part of the IP application stream... header, payload, etc.)

I = Inspect (look for cookies, values, variables... anything you want that designates the session)

T = Transform (rewrite to perform proxy functions or other things that fix bugs, simplify design, etc.)

D = Direct (route requests or responses to the best resource, under either LB or persistence, etc.)

Now, in today's world, more applies:

S = Secure (from the endpoint to core, using client checking to encryption and beyond...)

A = Accelerate (making sure that wherever the user is, however unique the application is, or other characteristics that compromise performance - apply intelligently for the best application experience)

Of course, all of these are done to optimize the user experience, server, storage, and application resources so that IT staff and application teams spend on flexible solutions that offer the right fit for today with graceful adaptation and scale as their needs change.

Seems pretty damn prudent and practical to me.

Technorati Tags: ADN, F5, DevCentral, Jeff Browning

Contributors Rule

Jeff Browning — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:32:43 GMT

We're lucky. It's rare to find such a team of people like those on the DevCentral team (and F5, for that matter) that are very bright, like to work hard together, and genuinely care about making people's lives better. I've worked with enough people to know that this is special. For me, it's inspiring and I'm proud to be a part of such a dynamic group of people.

However, on a completely different level (and hopefully just a little inspired by the team), our community has become something incredibly special. We continue to be amazed (and frankly, humbled) by the daily contributions of others to the community. Whether it's helpful forum responses, interesting sample posts, or great comments that add perspective to technical articles, it's really very incredible how much the community at large gives back to it's peers.

So, it only makes sense to acknowledge and applaud individuals that make such contributions. Take a moment to check out our "DevCentral Contributors" page. If your name is listed amongst the top-50 - THANK YOU. (If not, don't worry. You can get there too! Read the FAQ to learn how).

Over the coming months, we'll be doing more to highlight the top contributors. We will also provide special opportunities for those that contribute as a humble "thank you" for your ongoing help to others.

A final note: to us, community has always been about you. While we may help keep the site running, provide answers and assistance , and continually innovate in the ways we publish new and interesting info, in the end, it's your community. Without you, there is no community. Thank you and don't be shy about letting us know what you want.

Keep your eyes open for more coming re: contributors...

Technorati Tags: F5, devcentral, contributors, jeff browning

Golf ball or bowling ball?

Jeff Browning — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:47:42 GMT

While they're both round, I will probably prepare differently to catch either one if thrown at me. Wouldn't you? I might stand differently. I might even ponder, "do I need one hand or two?" I'll definitely consider what could happen if I fail to catch the ball and how it might bounce or even break something where it lands.

Mindless musings, you say? Maybe. But really? How is this any different from what most network teams deal with? Seriously.

Pretend you're the app guy and I'm the network guy. You know what you're going to throw. You've spent countless hours defining it, building it, making sure it makes the business folks happy, and even (I hope) testing it. You are closer to it - and know more about it - than anyone possibly could (or most would ever care to understand, frankly).

So - why won't you tell me about it? Really. Because I don't understand. It's not hard. It probably won't take much time. It certainly doesn't steal your thunder.

Here's the deal: I'm going to build for a bowling ball - guaranteed. It's safer. But, know this - I won't be as quick and nimble. It'll take two hands. And, the thought of that coming will certainly occupy more of my mind than a golfball might because I don't want to face the risk (and embarrassment not to mention damage) that dropping it might bring. So, I'll be pretty preoccupied. Forget those other things on my task list.

It eat more of IT's budget but be incredibly overbuilt when your golf ball comes my way. And, I won't have the time, budget, or option of help you optimize your app or provide additional security help. I spent it all preparing for a bowling ball (and I'm really quite stressed even about the thought of it.) So, you'll have to write that code. And test it. And update and maintain it. You have plenty of time, right?

It's not a pretty picture. But, it's all together too common. Just heard about it from someone - again - today.

When will IT groups learn that the good from sharing more information far outweighs any fear of bad that comes from sharing it?

Technorati Tags: application delivery, F5, IT management, Jeff Browning, bowling ball, golf ball

Good advice

Jeff Browning — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:32:06 GMT

During an interesting conversation yesterday, Jim Metzler made a very clear and insightful comment. There are [or should be] two distinct roles in IT: application development and application delivery. Pure and simple. In challenging times (or any time, really...), this clarity could be a powerful rallying point as well as a basis for collaboration and focus on results. Good advice. His recently released 2008 Handbook of Application Delivery also offers some excellent advice.

[Update: Kiwi Paul was kind enough to remind me that the handbook link above requires a free registration here. Thanks mate!]

Technorati Tags: F5, Devcentral, Jeff Browning, application delivery, development

Sick

Jeff Browning — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:53:42 GMT

I've said foolish things before and I'm 100% certain I'll say them again (anyone that opens their mouth will). And, "foolish" probably comes down to a matter of perspective in many cases. However, after having our entire team (not to mention our respective families) hit with some nasty cold and flu bugs over the past month or two, this comment sort of strikes me as... well... from a perspective that I can't understand.

"Unfortunately, people have not been getting sick at a rate that we would all like yet." - A.G. Lafley, CEO, Proctor and Gamble (from the 5-Apr Business section of the Seattle Times. It's actually from this article in the Wall Street Journal last week.)

That's unnerving enough. However, change the context of Mr. Lafley's comment a bit and replace "people" with "applications" and "getting sick" with "crashing".

Wow. Either way, I can't fathom it.

Our job, unequivocally in mind, is to help you AVOID problems. We do our best to provide resources to reduce pain, accelerate how quickly you can respond to and heal problems, and most importantly - build a more resilient (and dare I say "resistant"?) infrastructure - to avoid the "nasties" that can sneak up on you when you least expect them.

I feel confident saying this from an IT perspective. I'm no expert on healthcare issues but shouldn't THAT be their perspective, not to mention objective, as well?

Technorati Tags: Jeff Browning, f5, devcentral, flu, cold, wall street journal, a.g. lafley

Attentive

Jeff Browning — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:08:22 GMT

Some of the team watches as Joe goes whiteboard outlining a cool new DevCentral feature in the works...

BTW - we're working in the "Discovery" conference room in F5's Technology Center today. This cool space is available for you to use to evaluate and test F5 gear, design deployments, and more if you choose to take advantage of it.

Technorati Tags: F5, devcentral, whiteboard, jeff browning