We’ve certainly had fun filled quarter this time! The Member events we held were really enjoyable, and it was great to get Members, Board and the IAA Team together in a relaxed setting. Not only that, our online session on network upgrades was also really worthwhile: who doesn’t enjoy a good war story? Check out the recording if you missed it. We’ve got more events coming up, so don’t forget to register, and if you’re heading to AusNOG, make sure you pre-order your newest IAA hoodie via the IAA Member Portal!
Speaking of upgrades, my sympathy goes out to all our Members that had to deal with the CrowdStrike fiasco. Unravelling that disaster shows a real breach of trust, too: the update wasn’t urgent, it clearly wasn’t properly tested before it being pushed out globally, and it used a path reserved for critical exploits in bypassing staging servers. Annoying also for us in the internet trade was that the internet was often blamed in media reporting. Ironically, it was perhaps because the internet worked so well that the update went out so quickly. Or perhaps it is the internet’s fault because hackers exist and that’s why CrowdStrike’s tools need to exist? Hmm, no, neither of those make this an internet problem. I’m not losing any sleep however in waiting for a correction to the many stories that went out.
One event I did go to recently was the ACOMMS awards night. Apart from it being a good feed, with excellent company, our own Board Chair – Matthew Enger took out the top award of Communications Ambassador. It was lovely to see him be recognised, and I am totally not surprised that as a schoolkid he upgraded the high school network for better internet! Who doesn’t need a kid like that in your class?
We’ve also added the option of LR1 optics to our 100Gbps ports. For those of you thinking about it, and connected to NSW-IX, give us a yell, and we’ll help you migrate. We’ve even got a special on where we can supply the optics for you.
In advocacy news, I note that Members may be affected by a couple of compliance obligations over the coming months, namely CommCom TCP Code attestation (due 2 September 2024), and Fair Work’s new ‘Right to disconnect’ legislation, which comes into effect for non-small business employers on 26 August 2024. To help our Members comply with the ‘Right to disconnect’ law, Arnotts Technology Lawyers have prepared a policy template, which you can access via the Legal Templates section of the IAA Member Portal.
Amongst the many presentations I give is one on ‘How the Internet Works’ for telecoms engineering students. This year I polled my team and asked what were their key things to teach about BGP? Their answers:
- BGP is a route by rumour protocol.
- All the traffic engineering in the world you configure won’t guarantee the path you want for your traffic.
- All vendors do things differently, so know your tools and know them thoroughly!
Feel free to let me know what your BGP hot buttons are, and I’ll put them in next year’s lecture. My team, however, are always keen to help out with member BGP issues, so do contact them if you are experiencing difficulties.
Happy peering!
Narelle
IAA CEO
